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Will an after market PC improve the sound of CDP??

There is a cable component that some of us may take for granted That is, 'AFTERMARKET" power cords. The issue is to what degree they may influence the sound of a component they are used with.

I use a Shunyata "Diamondback" PC with my Rega Apollo player. I may have compared this PC with the standard PC supplied with the Apollo a few times and discerned some improvement, but not enough to run out to "recable" what components I had at the time

Therefore, are there some aftermarket PC's that offer a noticeable improvement in the sound quality of a CDP?? I realize that with IC's, compatibility with a particular component is a matter of time consuming trial and error. However, is the degree of improvement with an aftermarket PC be as noticeable as with IC's, and require as much trial and error??
sunnyjim
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Lowrider, I did try the Shunyata on my new Rogue hybrid integrated, with little to no discernible improvement. The Shuyaya's IEC plug is a plastic piece of crap and often gets loose and falls out of the back of the Apollo

Interestingly, a few years back, I bought an Acoustic Zen Tsumani Plus PC that was recommended by a TAS reviewer who claimed it provided better overall sound. I tried it once or twice on the Rega CDP, and concluded it better served my pre-amp at the time, and now my integrated as their PC. I could hear a much better presentation. The Shunyata worked poorly with my previous separates and integrated amps
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Yeah, that Diamondback will never help the amp, it's also a budget cable in the Shunyata line.
For your CDP, the Pangea line is so inexpensive and so much better than stock it's worth trying.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/Pangea-Audio-AC-14SE-Signature-Power-Cable/productinfo/PGAC14SE/2094/#.Uzozsscngt4

There's also the AC-14XL for $150 with 30 day trial. Also try looking in the archives to see what others are using.
If your Rogue cable is anything like mine, it's piss poor with no bass extension. I'm also in the middle of a PC upgrade and have been doing shoot-outs with several cables.
bander's avatar
bander
504 posts
 
Give a Triode Wire Lab cord a try. Pete offers a trial period for home audition.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I agree with both Lowrider57 and Foster_9, PC's differences can be very noticeable, but are also very system dependent. Aftermarket PC's can vary the sound quite a bit, just as much as interconnects, though I would not always call it an improvement. Different is not always better. You have to listen for yourself.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
In my experience yes I have heard an improved sound from an aftermarket PC on a CDP in my system. When I heard this was with a MAC (My Audio Cables) HC Sound Pipe power cord installed on an Emotiva ERC-1 CDP. This was with budget gear so people's mileage may vary. When I moved the MAC HC Sound Pipe power cord to my 1st generation PS3 I believe I got an improved picture and SQ but at the time of that change I made wholesale changes power cord wise and power conditioning wise in my system. So yes I believe a PC can improve the sound of your CDP but again trial and error may be required with potentially more expensive power cords or with different wiring types.

Best of luck.
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