Power Cable Break In - Such a Change!
I installed a new AudioQuest Dragon Source power cord from my Lumin X1 to my Niagara 7000. The power cord from the wall to the Niagara 7000 is also a Dragon but the High Current version. I bought that cord used.
So, when I first started using the new power cord everything sounded great. However, after a couple of days I started hearing a strident sound. Especially in the upper mid/ treble region. The bass was also constricted. I started blaming the sound change on another piece of equipment that was installed concurrently.
Now, I was under the impression that the Dragon power cord with its DBS system required no break in. But I did inquire about it to AudioQuest who responded that it would still need about 150 hours to break in. It's been close to that now and sure enough yesterday I started hearing the glorious sound that I heard from day one with the power cord only perhaps better.
I must say the difference during break in and now is quite remarkable, I don't remember any other power cord going through this amount of dramatic change.
ozzy
Holmz. Cotton is one of the best. I use it in my cabling extensively. It is mostly air in construct, plus it is resistant (immune) to energy storage. Being an organic fiber is a very good thing. I build interconnects and USB cables with cores and jackets made from cotton. Biggest issue is that it does not inhibit oxidation of the conductors. That has to be taken care through other means. In my cabling those means are proprietary. |
When I bought my turn-of-the-century built home: much of the remaining wiring was still varnished cotton insulated. As cotton was recognized to be a not-so-great insulator, that kind of wiring was threaded throughout the house, captive in ceramic spools (knob and tube wiring), like this: https://www.canadianhomeinspection.com/home-reference-library/electrical/knob-tube-wiring/ Of course: that was before we figured out how to synthesize the plastics and rubber substitutes, that are better insulators. Cotton has an excellent, very low, Dielectric Constant, but: mixing it with another material will add that material's Constant to the cotton's. That includes: laying the cables on the floor/carpeting. A concept many don't understand, but: why some will hear differences, in their homes/systems, when using cable lifters. Here's a PDF chart to save, that may be of use far as choosing materials, for the DIY cable guys: https://www.kabusa.com/Dilectric-Constants.pdf
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