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  3. 150350-126

Audioquest Dragon Powercord vs Hurricane

I don't want to get into a debate about if powercords and/or cables sound different or not. I just want to talk about the differences between the Audioquest Dragon and Audioquest Hurricane powercords in my system, based on my ears and preferences. My system consists of a Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier, Jeff Rowland Corus preamp, Chord Dave DAC, Antipodes DS GT music server, Monitor Audio PL500 ii speakers, JL Audio F112 v2,  Clarus Crimson speaker cables, Wireworld Platinum series 8 XLRs, and all Audioquest Hurricane power cords.
I have two Dragon powercords for a home audition. I put one on my DAC and the other on my preamp. My initial thought is the Dragon added a lot of detail. I usually listen with the volume set at 60, but had to reduce it to 58 with the Dragon inserted. After letting the music play for awhile, I did some critical listening for 90 minutes or so. I'm pretty certain that I will keep all Hurricanes and not purchase any Dragon powercords. It isn't because I think the Hurricane is better. I submit they are different and I always say cables are system dependent. In my system the Hurricane is a more balanced cable, where the Dragon is forward to my ears and it's a cable that really highlights details in a way that I don't like. E.g. when I listened to a blues track by KEB MO, with the Dragons the guitar was very forward and dominate, his voice was out of balance and the bass wasn't as full. Returning to the Hurricanes provided excellent balance with detail and fuller bass. Things may change over the next couple of days, but I don't usually change from my initial thoughts. There are no absolutes in audio and careful component matching is more important than how much a component cost.  
ricred1
gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
@OP, 
I can sympathize with the stiffness of the power cords.

I, for one, find that really inconvenient when a piece of equipment can literally be lifted off its' feet-like my Ayre Codex.
I had to buy a bunch of right angle adapters as well as some super expensive Voodoo Cable adapters that allow for non-90 degree turns.
I called AQ and let them know of my feelings, but it seems to be something they don't care to deal with.

I really think AQ makes fine products, but at least make them malleable enough to use in the real world.
Sorry for the rant...
Bob
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,950 posts
 

ricred1

Thank You for the update.  Happy Listening!

ricred1 OP
2,058 posts
 
Bob,
"I really think AQ makes fine products, but at least make them malleable enough to use in the real world."
I agree. It's Audio and sometimes we change cables and/or components. I found something (Clarity Cables Vortex powercords) that I think are very good and affordable. I simply wanted to share my finding with fellow Audiogon members.
Post removed 
phillyb's avatar
phillyb
402 posts
 
I own a Dragon and put it on my amp and it sings, the bottom end is deep and tight, smooth throughout the mids and highs with vocals brought forth with detail and body. I do use my Hurricanes plug into my front-end gear consisting of the Marantz SA-10 SACD/DAC player and my Mark Levinson 326S, with the amp being the McIntosh MC-402. The front end is powered by the PS Audio P-12 which also uses a Hurricane to power it. I may go to a 2nd Dragon and use that to power the P-12, or perhaps use them on the front end gear with the Hurricane on all the rest. I like having a mix and match in power cords because one level could well work better on gear than the other, that is just how power cords work. Listening to Beethoven 9th and it sounds sublime. Speakers are Spatial Audio Sapphire M3’s.I do have an AQ Firebird PC that I will bring into the mix shortly. 
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