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Upgraded power cords or high end conditioner next?

Hi everyone,

I need advice on what will give me the biggest improvement for my next upgrade - power cords or a high end power conditioner?

My current living situation is a rental apartment, so unfortunately I cannot do anything like having a dedicated line for my system.

I already have upgraded power cords for my Manley Shrimp preamp and my CDP, but my Manley monoblocks (retubed with NOS :)) are just using the stock cables for now. The Shrimp and the CDP are plugged into a PS Audio High Current Ultimate Outlet and the monoblocks are plugged strait into the wall.

So I was thinking my next upgrade is either upgraded power cords for the monoblocks or an upgraded conditioner (passive - like a Shunyata Hyrda or a Running Springs unit that I could plug my CDP, pre and monoblocks into). Which one will give me the bigger improvement? My budget for the power cords would be maybe $500 each (used - so say $750 each new). What cords would you recommend in that price range? Also, the cords on my CDP and pre are both Lat International MK2 (budget PCs). Should I put my best PCs on the source/pre or the amps?

Thanks,

Ed
latinsamba1
drrasta
224 posts
 
Just tried the BPT CPC on amps, sources and HDTV. All significantly improved. Should try that or PS Audio duet. both reasonably priced.
psacanli
535 posts
 
I would 1st consider upgraded conditioning or MIT power cords(which provide some conditioning & isolation) for your front end. There is tremendous room for improvement above your present set up.
maich
37 posts
 
Anyone who rents AND has an unused 220v line for a laundry room or other application, CAN have dedicated lines. Your other upgrades won't even come close. Look into "power conditioner" step-down transformers from ONEAC or POWERVAR.

Plug one into a 220v line, get two dedicated lines (four outlets) at 120v. With the right models, these are fully capable of providing enough current to fry your ears, speakers and/or amps, if you wanted to see what their limits are, but your laundry circuit and ONEAC or POWERVAR will be just fine.

Nothing comes close to this upgrade, AND (buying one used) will not cost the ridiculous sum you propose for a power cord, where any percieved difference will almost certainly be the result of hopeful delusion that the money was not wasted.
lak's avatar
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lak
4,619 posts
 
What Maich says is true and I agree. There have been many posts regarding this. One of the best bang for the bucks IMO. Or one can come out of a 120V outlet into an isolation transformer and modify the other end with an outlet and plug into the isolation transformer. Only problem is the isolation transformer hums at about 60db and gives off some heat.
maich
37 posts
 
Yes, slight hum and heat. If necessary, account for that, but this upgrade will give your sound such solidity and physical presence, the conditioner will never be heard, especially in the right locale. I could have opted to keep mine outside in the laundry room area, but actually chose to have two of them operational right under my equipment rack. I can hear them both if I pay attention before turning anything else on -- just makes me smile knowing how they REVOLUTIONIZED my sound!
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