Furutech Mains Power Cables Hierarchy & Differences


My first experience with a newly fabricated Furutech mains power cable (FP-TCS31 + FI-28 (R) has proven to be extremely positive although the cable is currently still in the break-in process. There were ups and downs with the performance of the cable for the past two weeks but it’s a best sound reproduction I’ve experienced so far with the system. The Furutech cable is currently used in conjunction with other costlier (and excellent) Acrolink cords in my system.

I’ve barely warmed up to the sound of the new Furutech cable but I"m already thinking about the higher range alternatives. I noticed there isn’t exactly a hierarchy with Furutech cables but acknowledge that the DPS4.1 sits at the top of the ladder. Nevertheless, based on the price I presume the TCS31 is 2nd best, S032N 3rd and TCS21 / 3TS762 are at the 4th or 5th spot.

Since I now own the TCS31 I’m only interested in the comparison between the DPS4.1 and TCS31. Some say the DPS4.1 is a superior sounding cable while there are some comments about the DPS4.1 sounding too smooth or dark although it has more impressive bass than the TCS31. Has anyone compared the TCS31 to the DPS4.1?

As for plugs, there are many people who have compared the FI-50 (R) NCF to the FI-28 (R) and the consensus is the former is better so there’s no issue here.

The next question is on the finished cables NanoFlux and PowerFlux NCF. They are actually not within my budget but I’m curious if anyone has compared these with the DPS4.1 or TCS31 + FI-50 (R) NCF plugs. The NanoFlux and PowerFlux NCF also come with FI-50 (R) NCF plugs and I’m not sure about the difference between these finished cables and DPS4.1 and TCS31. However, there is a BIG price difference between them. If there is a difference is it a worthwhile night and day difference or a subtle one. Which is considered the best VFM cable?

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

ryder

Thanks @digsmithd ​​@audphile1 

I've had my system playing while working upstairs, for between 15-17 hrs a day since installing the cable, so I have a ways to go yet then 😊. All part of the journey/fun 😉

😂 Someone please explain to me the insane notion that ‘Cable Breakin’ exists!!…. 

@boostedis really? Quite a few quality cable manufacturers "season" or break in their cables in the manufacturing process, Synergistic Research, Zavfino, Nordost, and others. What is insane about the dielectric properties changing as the cable is used? 

Cables: Most all cable manufacturers agree that break-in is a result of changes in the conductor and/or dielectric. According to one manufacturer: "The insulation (or dielectric) will absorb energy from the conductor when a current is flowing (i.e. when music is playing). This energy-absorption causes the dielectric's molecules to re-arrange themselves from a random order into a uniform order. When the molecules have been rearranged, the dielectric will absorb less energy & consequently cause less distortion."

Cardas has, for years, included a Cable Break-in Guide with their cables. In it they state: "All cables need a break-in and warm-up period. Better cables require longer break-in.  With all cables, the more you play them and the less you move them, the better they will sound." The unique geometry of Cardas cables require that "...the strands be of equal tension... Current flowing through the cable during break-in, and each warm-up period, will relax the structure of the strands." 

Another prominent cable designer believes that during the break-in process electrons are establishing new micro pathways through the conductor material and these changes in the conductor is the primary reason for the improvement realized through break-in. They believe that most of the signal travels across the surface of the conductor. Viewed under a microscope the surface that appears smooth to the naked eye is really a series of peaks and valleys. The irregular surface forces electrons along a circuitous path to their destination. When a cable is bent or twisted, new tears and fissures form, disrupting existing pathways and requiring new ones to be formed. This explanation lends credence to reports that cables need to be re-conditioned and being handled. I've seen this in a very real way.

Years ago, when break-in first became realized, we decided to complete the process before shipping our cables and advertised the service as a value-added benefit. It didn't take before we started hearing back from customers who questioned whether we'd done what we promised since their cables indeed improved after a week or two of use. We believe that, at least in part, the act of coiling the cables for shipment and then uncoiling them after arrival, was the culprit.

While there is no hard data (that I am aware of) to prove to the engineers among you that break-in in exists, I'm sure 99.9% of audiophiles have heard the benefits of the process and believe strongly in its importance.

https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/break-in-real-or-imagined/

Funny how cable manufactures all agree that the product they’re selling really is phenomenal and makes that ‘big’  difference then the burn in .., we don’t know why but all believe it right ? Physics who believes that crap anyway. 

 

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