Nova Power Cord Model (M101 silver) Review.
First a little background of myself, ozzy.
I am now retired for about 6 years. Previously I was Senior
Purchasing Agent and before that Senior Engineer for a large Manufacturing
company a total of 42 years.
I have been a long-time member of Audiogon, and several
other on-line forums. I have been in this hobby for 50+ years. Heck, I go back
so far that when I was 18, I was a Manager of an Allied Radio Shack Store. Remember
Allied Radio? Remember when Radio Shack bought them? I have also built many Heathkits
and have experimented in many projects through the years from normal to the
insane.
But I have always been fascinated about the relationship of
the AC power to the sound of an audio system. As has been repeated so many
times, how can 5 feet of cable make a difference when there are miles of power
lines running to my house? I know I understand, but is it the last 5 feet or
the first?
Naturally, I have dedicated lines terminated in Furutech NCF
outlets. I have owned/tried so many power conditioners from the likes of PS
Audio, Shunyata, Synergistic, Core power, and so many more. I have also owned
power cables from companies such as, Purist Dominus, Nordost Valhalla,
Synergistic, Virtual Dynamics, Hi Fidelity, Shunyata, Audioquest and on and on.
I share this info so again; you can tell my sincerity about power cables. I
have a passion (obsession?) for them!
My latest effort was a set of DIY power cords that I made using
pure .9999 10 ga solid soft silver in a very high-grade oversized PTFE, braided,
twisted, treated with Nano liquid and then finished with Furutech best NCF
connectors. They look very similar in construction to the Audioquest Dragon
configuration. They have beat all other
power cords that I had tried before them. They have made me happy and content.
So now on to the review of the Nova power cables.
First off, I would like to thank Lubos (bewgow on Audiogon)
for allowing me to demo his cables. My understanding is that all of his cables
utilize copper wiring and Furutech NCF connectors. I will add that I became
interested in these cables from a review on Audiogon that millercarbon started
and was sorry to see it go off the rails. I asked bewgow for a couple demos to try. In a
few days they arrived.
The Nova (silver) power cord.
Since I am using mono block amps, I needed 2 power cables.
One about 3 meters and the other about 2 meters long. Lubos was kind enough to
send me these 2 lengths. The power cords will be connected to my Audioquest
Niagara 7000 power conditioner.
I am not sure of the actual wire gauge
utilized by the Nova, all Lubos would reveal was that it consists of using a special wire geometry. I personally didn’t think it stood a chance
against my heavy gauge pure solid silver conductors.
First listen, and I must say, the Nova cable sounded better.
Never would have believed it. No way. But it is. There is so much more air and
life in its presentation. Instruments extend left/right front/ back. Very
impressive. There is a feeling of intimacy in the soundstage that draws you into
the music. Women’s voices have that “tongue in the ear” effect. You guys know
what I mean…Very inviting. Listen to Linda Ronstadt sing “Blue Bayou” you’ll
get it.
The soundstage is wider and deeper. Usually when the music
sounds this pure there is a sacrifice at the frequency extremes. But not with
this cable. The bass is tight and deep and the highs shimmer elegantly. Since
receiving the Nova cables, I have been playing music that I have heard so many
times in so many different formats through the years that I could probably
write the sheet music. And yet, now for the first time they sound entirely
different and so engaging. Fantastic!
I like listening to live recorded music. Mostly rock music.
With the Nova cables there is a new found pleasure in the openness in the
performance. Even some of the earlier recordings like Creedence Clearwater
revival At Woodstock is highly enjoyable.
When you hear your system sounding this right, I knew I had
to have this cable. Now, if only I had some more items to sell on Audiogon,
hmm… Or how to convince my wife I need a couple more power cords…?
But, oh boy can I recommend this power cord.
ozzy
