PS Audio XStream Power Punch - The Silk Panties of power cords?

RuSsMaN · February 2006

Not because they are soft, and feel nice against your bum, but rather due to the fact one may actually have some beads and shells left over, for other finer things in life.

I've been intrigued by PS Audio's Power Punch offering. Looking at the price (around $70 for a 2m cord), I honestly was not expecting much. Probably a standard IEC cord, wrapped in a nice jacket, with upgraded connectors. I couldn't have been more wrong. How PS Audio can sell (and package) these cords SO cheap, is beyond me. They must truely be a loss leader, the minnow dangling on the hook - to get people to try their products (in hopes if they are pleased, they will upgrade or look at other PS Audio offerings).

I purchased two, 2.0m Power Punch cords a couple weeks ago, and have been burning them in on my single ended 211 monoblocks. (I removed my SC power cords, for the purpose of this review). The difference was anything but subtle (compared to a standard $3 IEC). Overall, the music has more weight, from top to bottom. Every note seems to have just a little more impact, and presence. It's not as though a blanket has been lifted off the system, but rather a fine film was removed. Bass speed and attack has improved slightly also.

My 211 monoblock power trannies crank out over 1000v, so unless you bury them in concrete - there is ALWAYS some noticeable hum from the transformers themselves. As soon as I connected the PS Audio Power Punch cords - the hum was cut by at least 50% - again, comparing directly to your standard IEC. Instant, noticeable difference.

Build? First rate. Very flexible, easy to route, and both ends make a SOLID, confident connection to the outlet and input.

I won't ramble on too much about a entry level product, because, well, that's exactly what it is. However, for a very small investment, the Power Punch offers real performance, at the listening chair.

Is this the cable for everyone? Probably not.

This is the cable for the Audiophile, who expects, nay demands a certain level of performance - but at the same time would like to have a few greenbacks in his/her pocket left over for posh undercrackers.

http://www.psaudio.com/products/xstream_power_punch.asp

Associated gear:
DIY Custom Line Arrays
Signet SP200 Subwoofer
Radii MMS 211 monoblock tube amps (power punch 2m)
Rogue Audio Magnum 66 tube line stage (power punch also, 1m)
AMC CD8b Transport
Meridian 563 D/A converter
Sansui TU-417 Tuna

Cheers,
Russ

Dennis Gardner · February 2006

Hey Russ,

I have been using the Power Punch C7 on my Pioneer Elite DV 45A for around 6 months and have found it to be the best (only) solution for that funky connection. I found quite abit more refined soundstage over that stock cord in audio for CD and SACD. Great entry level upgrade for anyone not wanting to break the bank on esoteric power cables.

If some here can get by with the 1 meter version into their power centers etc. This guy is nearly giving them away on ebay:

$33 offering of this cable

michael_w · February 2006

Nice review Russ.

How do you think it stacks up to the SC since they are both in similar price ranges? Also, which signal cable one do you have?

dkg999 · February 2006

Russ - are they comparable to the SC cords? I need a couple more 6' power cords, I might try these if they are comparable or better.

RuSsMaN · February 2006

I use the MagicPower cords, and MagicPower strips, and have not done a side by side comparison yet, but don't see them being a whole lot different from each other.

The basic improvement here (again, over a standard IEC) is current delivery, shielding, better parts/termination for a solid, sure connection.

Dennis Gardner · February 2006

The ground lifting option (the ground pin unscrews) is a cool design in itself. The molded ends are way secure on the PS Audio cords compared to shrink tubing on the Marinco/Wattgate plugs with smaller gauge wiring on some of my other power cables.

This is the Plus model, but the Punch looks similar.

heiney9 · February 2006

Thanks for the indepth Russ. These types of reviews with substance are what it's all about.

H9

dkg999 · February 2006

Russ - thanks for taking the time to write up the review! I might give these a try. It's starting to look like a Signal Cable advertisement around my place. It's good to try something new. Doug.

dorokusai · February 2006

The Power Punch has been the most reasonably priced PS Audio product for awhile. It's nice they came out with something else for normal people.

beardog03 · February 2006

Normal..?
what`s that ?!

RuSsMaN · February 2006

A distant memory, a faint stench, a greasy stain - of what we used to be Robert.

beardog03 · February 2006

aaaahhhh !
rriiiight..!

unc2701 · February 2006

RuSsMaN wrote:

Not because they are soft, and feel nice against your bum, but rather due to the fact one may actually have some beads and shells left over, for other finer things in life.

Russ

Thanks for clarifying, but we're still left with the visual of you with a power cord riding up your ****...

marvda1 · February 2006

Question, i noticed these are nickel plated, irecently posted questions on other forums about upgraded electrical outlets and the number one thing was to get outlets that were not nickel plated but rather brass. so why is nickel plated on the power cords ok?

RuSsMaN · February 2006

In my opinion, nickle plating is not a bad thing, as long as everything (outlet included) are nickle plated. You start getting down to the nitty gritty with audiophiles, and certain metals - and it has been proven (to a degree) that going with different metals on connectors, beit speaker wire terminations and binding posts, or wall outlets and power cables - that a miss-match will actually excellerate corrosion.

I've yet to experience it myself, and I'm somewhat versed in real world cable experience. The fact is, this power cord isn't marketed to the hardcore, it's marketed to the common man - and power outlets are a thing of lore (at this price point - short of a PS Audio Power Port

). That being said, the benefit of proper, tight, solid fit, outweighs the negative of a matching conductors, in my opinion - but you do state a valid point.

Bascially, it is a concern, but not at this pricepoint.

Cheers,
Russ

F1nut · February 2006

Another thought on the nickel plating. The IEC sockets on most gear are nickel plated and if one were to upgrade the power outlet(s) to PS Audio's Power Port, then you would have all nickel contacts. No worries, mate.

BTW, brass oxidizes, nickel doesn't.

Ferres · February 2006

The audiophile powercords job is to shield, clean and filter out mains noise from coming into the system and muddying the sound. Plating shouldn't be a big issue.

I think of all cable upgrades, the powercord going to the pre-amp should be the first in line.

I'm looking at Ps Audio cords too since they have a lot more options in space saving connectors.

Nice review Russman.

Ricardo · February 2006

Nice review, and great tip on the ebay link.... I sent the seller an email asking if connectors were IEC or C7....not specified on the description.

wingnut4772 · February 2006

Nice Russ.. I really considered these before I went the Harmonic Technology route but we have to be careful....threads like these may actually give people the impression that power cords do make a difference.

madmax · February 2006

Russ, you should pick up on the "Statement" offer if you get the chance before it ends. Half price with the return of an old cable. I wouldn't outfit my whole rig with them because I can't afford it but it is cool to see the one sitting there going to the phono pre. I've been considering some of the Power Punch ones for the other stuff though.
madmax

Tour2ma · February 2006

Nice write-up, Russ... Borderline eloquent

Ricardo · February 2006

HTrookie wrote:

Nice review, and great tip on the ebay link.... I sent the seller an email asking if connectors were IEC or C7....not specified on the description.

They are IEC...

jfb4548 · February 2006

The Power Punch is hard to beat for the money. It looks great and sound great and the removable ground pin is a plus. If you buy direct from PS the shipping rates seem high. I ordered my second one from MusicDirect and the USP was 1/2.

Early B. · February 2006

Just ordered two of them. One Power Punch will replace my PS Audio Prelude which is too long and bulky for my application. The other one will replace a Custom Power Cord with Furutech connectors. The Power Punch appears to be "downgrade" from what I already have, but the price, length, look and build quality should make up for the differences, if any, in sound quality. If things work out, both cords will be up for sale soon.

madmax · February 2006

Hey EB, want to sell that Prelude? Which one is it? Sent you a PM.
madmax

tryrrthg · February 2006

Does anyone know the difference between the Super Punch and the Power Punch? Is it just the right angle plug?

Super Punch

Power Punch

Emlyn · February 2006

They're the same cable internally: 12 AWG OFC wire, double shielded. The only difference is in the terminations, with the Super Punch having more expensive wall end plugs.

dorokusai · February 2006

The SP is also not available in a C7 termination.

RuSsMaN · February 2006

and....

Only the C7 has the right angle term.

dkg999 · February 2006

The website says they work for small to mid-size amps. Does a Parasound HCA-1500 qualify as mid-size? The SC power cables appear to be a little heavier guage. Not sure if that really makes a difference?

dorokusai · February 2006

It's for any amplifier, that's just marketing BS.

PS Audio XStream Power Punch - The Silk Panties of power cords?

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