Cable for Mcintosh MA8950 and Monitor Audio PL200 II


Hi everyone,

It’s my first post here. Seeking suggestion for my setup. Recently aquried a Mcintosh MA8950, speaker is Monitor Audio PL200 II. Mainly looking for Power Cord and Speaker Cable.

I now have Transparent Premium, Nordost Red Dawn, Blue Heaven and Wireworld Electra 7 power cord. Nordost Heimdall 2 speaker cable, usb cable. PS Audio Dectet power conditioner. They all from my old setup which I really satisfied but seems not working good with MA8950 and PL200 setup.

I have tried switching those power cord between the wall - conditioner, conditioner - amp or plug the ma8950 directly to the wall. Seems the conditoner will limitied/comprass the dynamic, but with the ps auido dectet, the sound stage is bigger, imaging and separation is better and the background is darker. In summery, the red dawn pc’s imaging, separation soundstage is better then transparent premium. but the transparent premium has richer body and bass.

I mainly listen to Classical, sometimes jazz and vocal, wondering if there is a good power cord or speaker cable or combination that has a fuller richer body, good bass perfomance and not lossing the clarity, transparency. I have a friend recommand the Shunyata Delta NR V2 power cord, is it worth the price?

My budget for Power Cord is up to $1500, the Speaker cable is same level as Heimdall 2 or a level step up

Thanks

rodar93

@audphile1 no worry. I keep trying plug my amp into the condioner and directly onto the wall. Directly in the wall will bring back the dynamic but flattened the soundstage, especially in the depth. Don't know the reason. 

The wire is directly from the power box, nothing else except my audio equip plugged in.

Power conditioner sucked the life out of the music in my system.
My recommendation would be to plug both the source and amp into outlet with best power cord feeding the amp. Give it a few hours. If you really need power conditioner try passive one like shunyata. I think you’re in a good spot with speaker cables. But if you decide to step up, either Frey 2 or Audience AU24SX will give you better imaging and fuller sound, more meat on the bone. For deeper soundstage your only solution is room treatment. First reflection points on side walls improve the stage tremendously.