Furutech Gold and Copper connector

Last week, I made another experience regarding Rhodium vs. Gold Ac connectors. I put back again my AQ Volcano (Copper) speaker cables (instead of AQ Meteor Silver) and some copper interconnects (instead of AQ SKY silver) that I have. With Fi-11 gold AC connectors, the sound was kind of dark side of warm sound and lacks a little bit the high frequencies. Even though music was alive and resolution details were present and the bass was too much pronounced. Honestly I am not a Bass freak… I put back again my Dynamic Design power cords having FI-11 Rhodium and high frequencies opened up magically with Copper interconnect/speaker cables having wider soundstage. The sound was more neutral and one could hear tiny noises out of the records.

It was a pleasant surprise which confirms the AC connector needs to be matched also with interconnect cables materials and speakers cables. Gold connectors with Silver interconnect/speaker cables and Rhodium connectors with copper interconnect/speaker cables. I continue to be amazed how Power cords and related AC connectors would impressively change my system sound. Of course, AC receptacle play a big role especially matching it with power cords. I use Tesla AC receptacle.

I ordered some Silver and Gold “iego” set AC connectors that I look forward to receive them to make new experiences with Silver connectors and compared them with Furutech. I was told Silver connectors presents the best of Gold and Rhodium, let’s see ...

Michel

Hi Michaelzay, I enjoyed your review and find that I have the same impressions between Gold and Rhodium Furutech GTX-D wpo's, my cables are copper!, The Tara labs Zero Gold I/C, Tara labs Omega Gold speaker cables, Tara labs Cobalt power cord that is terminated with oyaide ends, the Rhodium is incredible with these cables, I went through a shock factor of the synergy with all of this, The Gold did not have the magical sound stage presatation or the Resolution that the Rodium brought out of my cables, you seem to be the first audiophile that knows what he is talking about, has nothing to do with tube or solid state equipment, like you said, rather it has everything to do with cables synergy!, well said Michaelzay, one thing that is most important that I have not said to no one yet, is the fact the Rhodium is incredible on the $5,450.00 Tara labs Cobalt power cord that is this,, Another industry first is TARA Labs' propriety annealing process, known as SA-OF8N 99.999999% copper (super-annealed, oxygen-free, eight nines pure copper). This creates a unique, long, unbroken crystal structure called “mono-crystal” which has exquisitely smooth and detailed transfer of frequencies over a very wide bandwidth. pure copper, which is the purest in the cable industry,even more pure than occ copper that is 6-nines,also versus cheaper power cords that I do not use that I had on hand for many comparisons that was not so much of a huge improvement like putting the Rhodium on a very good pure copper power cord, cheers.

As for power cords, based on my own experiences. I think AC connectors play a big role on the output sound. Obviously, there are plenty parameters to consider too, like cable materials, no. of gauges, device equipment (CD player, DAc, preamp, AMP), power conditioner(s), the interconnect cables materials, speaker cables and most importantly the SPEAKERS. Devices being Tube based or Solid-State could also play a role in term of overall dynamic and revealing different frequency ranges. One could use Rhodium connector for CD player or preamp and Gold for Amps. For example, I use Dynamic Design power cord with Rhodium for one of my power conditioners feeding my LCD TV and AMP, CD player with an excellent clarity and results. The Dynamic Design Challenger cable with Gold connectors are used on my CD player. On my second system, I use a DD power cable with Rhodium feeding my preamp/processor.

I am afraid there is no any objective way to make rules on using Rhodium or Gold on CD player or amp. It is a multi-dimensional problem without any theoretical answer. The best way is to try and test.

Beyond all of these, THE MOST PROMINENT PARAMETER is the PERSONAL TASTE on type of music (Classic, chamber, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Metal), preference of being a bass freak or not, preference to have a more lively midrange, preference on more articulated vocal voices and enjoinment of hearing more pronounced instruments on high frequency or not.
I tested and have a lot of power cords and put some for sale. Some present an excellent sound especially with big orchestra and some are more suitable for jazz or chamber music. Of course, some cables present a reasonable compromise between the two. One might also choose to have entire power cords sets for each of these configuration. Some are very good for power conditioner, some are better for CD player or preamp or amps.

Regarding expensive power cords (>$800 used!), I am not sure, the subtle improvement that they might bring to your system could be really justifiable. I don’t believe neither reviews on Magazines that could be biased. One could learn some notions from that but buying based on review is not recommended. Based on my experiences, buying a reasonable and not expensive cable and changing the nema/iec connectors would present a much better result. I think Rafael0054 did that too on his Purist audio cables.

Michaelzay, I believe you are a well seasoned audiophile my friend, an asset to me, seems everything I find out about these Furutech GTX-D wpo's, from no where you are spot on like you read my mind or something, Rafael0054 talked me into tring the Gold out on the Krell amp, The Rhodium sounded better in everyway, including sound stage, but one important part of the tone, BTW, Krell is known for bass, for some odd reason, I cannot understand, The Gold had lower, fuller, bigger bass than the Rhodium on the krell amp, it's like I had a bass suck out on the krell, bass half notes that was thin compaired to the deep full bass of the Gold on the amp,you quoted this-,,,One could use Rhodium connector for CD player or preamp and Gold for Amps., what!, that is exactly what I am going to try today, for the first time, I am going to test the both on the entire system, since I only need two, The Rhodium had way better bass on the tube/solid state hybred digital, so this is a monkey wrench into what I thought before, being the Gold does bass correctly on the Krell, but everything else, including vocals and sound stage was way better with the Rhodium on the krell, just no bass, I do not get it?, I was about to send the Gold back for a Rhodium, I listened to Rafael0054 and did what he asked, mmm, glad I did, as they say, not so fast!, I will tell you how this may turn out.