Power Cords...looking for suggestions.

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited January 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
What have you guys used or are currently using. I'm interested in 5/6' length with a budget not to exceed $400. I'm sure there's plenty good one's out there without breaking the bank. I know this can get as dicey as discussing IC's, speaker cables, etc. I'm just looking for good information on what worked for you & I can do the reading on the various cables that you guys recommend.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • shadowlight
    shadowlight Posts: 327
    edited December 2012
    Talk to Pete at Triode Wire Labs - http://www.triodewirelabs.com/

    Lot more reviews on audiocircle
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited December 2012
    Also might want to check www.thecableco.com used section and get more bang for your 400 bucks.
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2012
    Anything by Shunyata. They are the power cable experts. At that price range look at this.
    http://www.musicdirect.com/p-9670-shunyata-venom-3-power-cable.aspx

    As mentioned, the Cable Company has better prices.

    Read their technical paper on DTCD and their other technical innovations.
    http://www.shunyata.com/
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited December 2012
    Shunyata Venom 3, hands down the best bargain power cord out there. Every piece of gear needing one has it.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited December 2012
    Another option is to give Pepster here on the board a shout. He makes some really good sounding cables and power cords and the prices are very reasonable.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited December 2012
    Pepster is good as well as helipilotdoug who just got into the powercable game as well.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited December 2012
    PS Audio
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,337
    edited December 2012
    I like PS Audio also. The detachable neutral prong is convenient if needed to match the wall outlet, or ground loop:smile:
    Carl

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  • dkr919
    dkr919 Posts: 379
    edited December 2012
    shadowlight wrote: »
    Talk to Pete at Triode Wire Labs - http://www.triodewirelabs.com/

    Lot more reviews on audiocircle

    Also try Pete Townsend -http://thewho.com/ - Knows every power chord in the book but I hear he can be a bit of a twit.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited December 2012
    I have some DCCA power cords on my amp and power conditioner. The dynamics and bass significantly increased after installing these cords. You can easily get some used cords in your price range unless you absolutely want new. I recommend them:

    Link: http://dccaaudio.com/Home.html
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2012
    Wireworld Aurora. Sound great and very flexible compared to most aftermarket cords.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    Well so far the Shunyata Venom 3 PC is looking pretty good. The Wireworld Aurora is also in the running. My only complaint about most of the PC's except the Venom 3 is that most of them are well under the 2M length that I need which is the stock length of the Venom 3. All the other cords once you factor in the added cost of going to a 2M cord length it starts to add up quickly. The Venom 3 with it's stock 2M lenght so far is the front runner. I haven't discounted all the other cords that you guys recommended though. And also the Venom 3 seems to receive a lot of impressive reviews as compared to the others in the same price category.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited January 2013
    I gave Audience Powerchords a try last year and now have 3 of them. One for my amp, dac and power conditioner. I like'em because they sound so clear and open. I tried the "e" version and those cost a bit more and give you a bigger dose of the standard version. They are flexible. I also have a PS Audio Plus and the Audience is big improvement in my opinion.
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    edited January 2013
    dkr919 wrote: »
    Also try Pete Townsend -http://thewho.com/ - Knows every power chord in the book but I hear he can be a bit of a twit.
    i hear he somehow managed to use a windmill to supply the power to some of those chords
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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  • wkjeffers
    wkjeffers Posts: 139
    edited January 2013
    venom3.
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  • wkjeffers
    wkjeffers Posts: 139
    edited January 2013
    has anyone tried the Pangea power cables?
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2013
    wkjeffers wrote: »
    has anyone tried the Pangea power cables?

    I have. In fact it was the Pangea cable that made me realize power cables can improve the sound. Shunyata goes to a higher level.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • mister pig
    mister pig Posts: 28
    edited January 2013
    Recently i picked up some VH Audio inerconnects, and am extremely pleased with them. Chris is a very talented designer, and his prices are quite reasonable. I plan on buying a few power cords from him, and the prices are surprisingly low for what you get, well at least till you get ot his TOTL cable. He also builds differnt versions for specific applications. I plan on trying some of his cords out later this year.

    Regards
    Mister Pig
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2013
    PS Audio gets my vote. Beware of counterfeits. I have been happy with the quality and the removable ground pin is a nice feature.

    Amazon sells them as well.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited January 2013
    Patrick Cullen- power cords...Mike Cullen's son with Wyred 4 Sound

    Look up Cullen Cables on audiogon...several types and will do custom lengths

    patrick_cullen05@hotmail.com
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • wkjeffers
    wkjeffers Posts: 139
    edited January 2013
    is he a vampire too? (sorry to all the people who have not been forced to watch twilight yet!)
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited January 2013
    Not trying to hyjack...but... Is it beneficial to upgrade the hard wired power cords on older equipment that have the PC hard mounted? For example, my old Denon has what looks like heavy lamp cord. If doing such an upgrade, should I install an IEC connector on the back of the receiver or hard wire a better PC?
    Thanks
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2013
    Vh Audio pc's would be my pick also, there are benenfits to his design.
    skrol wrote: »
    Not trying to hyjack...but... Is it beneficial to upgrade the hard wired power cords on older equipment that have the PC hard mounted? For example, my old Denon has what looks like heavy lamp cord. If doing such an upgrade, should I install an IEC connector on the back of the receiver or hard wire a better PC?
    Thanks
    Stan

    They can be a PITA depending on how old they are.
    Most are PCB mounted, which is not hard, but the time and effort it takes to remove everything just to get to the power board, makes it a PITA!
    Some are simple, and some very time consuming and come with additional issues that have to be addressed (cleaning, lifting of traces, having to drill the pcb from the solder mask side, ect.).
    Again depending on how old it is, you would be lucky (without rerouting) to find room in the back of the chassis for an IEC cup.

    Just replacing the stock nickle plug on a "captive cord" component sounds better IMHO.
    A decent Marinco male plug will yield better sound than a nickle plug will.
    Unless the cable NEEDS to be replaced, installing a better plug is alot cheaper alternative.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited January 2013
    I thought that the main reason for IEC chassis connectors was to reduce manufacturing costs.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,965
    edited January 2013
    skrol wrote: »
    Not trying to hyjack...but... Is it beneficial to upgrade the hard wired power cords on older equipment that have the PC hard mounted? For example, my old Denon has what looks like heavy lamp cord. If doing such an upgrade, should I install an IEC connector on the back of the receiver or hard wire a better PC?
    Thanks
    Stan

    Putting the connector on the back gives you the option of trying different cords, who wants to hard wire every cord you try out ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited January 2013
    Any suggestions for DIY parts?
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2013
    Well built, gold contacts, not super expensive: http://www.soniccraft.com/products/connections/ac/socket/iec/furutech_inlet.htm
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • mister pig
    mister pig Posts: 28
    edited January 2013
    Face wrote: »
    Well built, gold contacts, not super expensive: http://www.soniccraft.com/products/connections/ac/socket/iec/furutech_inlet.htm

    Sonic Craft is a good company, Geoff is a heck of a good guy there. I would recommend them also. VH Audio sells parts also and publishes a recipe for a DIY cord. A wide selection of parts can also be had from Micheal Percy, and last I saw he sold bulk XLO power cord and a wide array of terminations. The Bolder Cable Company builds a very good power cord also, and they are reasonably priced. I also believe Parts Connection in Canada has a lot of high quality DIY parts available.

    Regards
    Mister Pig
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2013
    mister pig wrote: »
    Sonic Craft is a good company, Geoff is a heck of a good guy there. I would recommend them also. VH Audio sells parts also and publishes a recipe for a DIY cord. A wide selection of parts can also be had from Micheal Percy, and last I saw he sold bulk XLO power cord and a wide array of terminations. The Bolder Cable Company builds a very good power cord also, and they are reasonably priced. I also believe Parts Connection in Canada has a lot of high quality DIY parts available.

    Regards
    Mister Pig

    :lol:
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited January 2013
    Is $100 for 2 excellent condition Shunyata Diamondback Power Cords worth it ?
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
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