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Power Cords Rule

Just finished another DIY power cable using Ohno Continuous Cast copper. This is the third cable added in the past two months, the first two for my ARC mono blocks, this latest for my Wadia 861SE CDP, now over ten years old. I am trying to wring every bit of performance from this player, modified by GNSC. This new cable has lifted that old player to a new plateau of sound stage and clarity; there's just more information in the music not previously heard. All of these cables have first replaced Transparent Reference AC cables, and, after those, three other DIY cables containing OCC copper but with a PVC dielectric not well-suited for AC cables, but vastly superior to the Transparents, circa 2002. My newest versions have polypropylene dielectric over a combined 8 AWG OCC copper, mated to Furutech rhodium plugs. All together, these AC cables have improved my system as much as upgrading the front end would have, IMO, and that would also require a pre-amp in going away from Wadia. And so, my fellow audiophiles, this is where it's at--get that clean power and those great power cables--make 'em yourself--all else depends more on that source of pure power than your other cables can achieve, good as they have to be, as well. Every piece of your system will improve with a purer current--any way you can get it.
128x128jafreeman
michelzay
114 posts
 
You are absolutely right on major role of Power cords and how they change musicality of front end devices. I changed my previous power cords by putting new NEMA/IEC plugs and mixing them where I got an excellent result.

You mentioned usage of Ohno Continuous Cast copper. This is a processing name of copper wires invented like 20 years ago. There are different brands and everybody claims to be the best, I was wondering where did you get your copper cables?

thanks,
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,859 posts
 
Yes indeed, Jafreeman- power Cords Do Rule!

Care to post some pics of your cords? I would be very interested in seeing them. Howlong have you been building?

Happy Listening!
jafreeman's avatar
jafreeman OP
689 posts
 
Michelzay, I made these cables from all Furutech materials, using their Alpha OCC 11 AWG AC cable, which I then dissected to remove the three conductors so I could use five conductors per cable. This is not necessary to build a very good DIY cable--could also build them as is. Neotech and Oyaide also offer OCC copper in their bulk cables--see VH Audio's selection. My cost was about 1K per cable, but had to use 2 meters/cable to get five conductors. I will post some pics to my system page. I did a five-wire braid between the plugs to give some flexibility and aesthetic appeal, supposed noise canceling, etc.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,476 posts
 
I found that the end plugs provide the greatest difference. The wire itself did not. Top of the line Furutech is my favorite, although Oyeida is fine as well.
lacee
811 posts
 
I first discovered the magic of a better power cord in 1987.
I had Quad 63,but the Quad(thin as a hair)power cords weren't long enough.
So I got some cheap male ends and cobbled the old Quad IEC together with some 14 gauge solid core romex.

To my ears this was an improvement in body and dimension over the stock power cords.As it was to the next owner of those Quads who asked if the DIY PC's were for sale .

Now skip ahead about twenty years and I got into Annacondas and power conditioning and dedicated lines,with thanks to a friend who went that route a few months earlier.

I've never looked back.
It's really too bad some folks who claim to be music lovers still aren't hearing all the music they profess to love from their systems.

Power cords come in at various price points,but you can DIY .
Just don't cheap out on the connectors.

I would suggest the entry level Furutechs on some decent power cable wire.

Then as time and extra cash permit, upgrade those Furutechs to some of the better ones from them.

You can always re-use the entry cables you made elsewhere in a second system, Home theatre or to replace a few of those thrown in power cords some folks can't seem to part with.

I'll agree with you that the stock power cords will sound alright,but if the music really matters, you should investigate the power products that are needed to bring that music to you.
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