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    • Need Power Cord recommendation for my budget

    Posts: 148
    edited March 2013 in Speakers
    Hi all,

    Need power cord recommendation for my audio. My budget is anywhere from $2000~ $10,000. Need 2 cords. Do you know any good brand / model that you know of or have experience with? Please share.

    My rig is HTPC with sound card and a pair of Focal CMS65 speakers.


    Thanks!
    Post edited by cheezy on
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    • Posts: 1,888
      edited March 2013
      :eek:
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    • Posts: 26,136
      edited March 2013
      Ever felt baited? This one sure does.
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    • Posts: 15,251
      edited March 2013
      Buy a decent stereo first. Then we can talk about improvements.
      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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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      B Run wrote: »
      :eek:
      :)
      ZLTFUL wrote: »
      I feel like Jesse's cynicism is rubbing off on me...
      But here goes...

      First, you post up in the *Speakers* forum requesting power cable recommendations.
      I wasn't able to find the forum section for power cords or audio cables.
      Second, you list your budget as $2000-$10000. If you have that kind of scratch to throw at power cables, chances are, your source is going to be something better than a "HTPC with sound card"
      I have tried a few dedicated external DAC's including the Benchmark DAC-1 but they gave softer sound and the dynamic range was weak. The Xonar sound card sounds better.
      and your speakers are going to be much better than a $1400set of nearfield monitors.
      It's $2000. You must have gotten confused with the CMS50's.

      Granted, there is nothing wrong with upgrading the power cables on the Focals but with the source, you would probably want to focus on how the sound card is connected to the speakers first, then worry about PCs.
      It's connected via cheap Wireworld Oasis RCA cables (1m $110). I also have a mini 3.5mm Audioquest Angel cable ($1200) but it doesn't fit. :(

      As for a recommendation that is far better than your stock cables but unfortunately doesn't meet your ridiculously exorbinant budget, look into Shunyata Research or Pangea cables that are a vast improvement over stock.
      I am currently using Shunyata Research Venom 3 power cord from wall outlet to the HTPC but it lost bass punch / impact for the low ends. The high frequencies have been improved however. The treble is crisper and background detail is moved forward to the sides and towards the center. It doesn't sound the contrast has improved. This cable is geared for the highs, not all around. It also sounds a bit analog.


      cheezy
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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      I have heard a few good stories about the Wireworld Status and Aurora power cords but according to end users they find the Venom 3 to be superior, but I don't find it to be superior, as mentioned above. It sounds lean / lack impact. The stock power cord actually had more oomph in the bass region, and doesn't sound analog which I liked.


      cheezy
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    • Posts: 1,548
      edited March 2013
      Holy Cow I hear ya Pittdog2..
      Cheezy since money seems to grow on trees for you, can I try out your Venom 3 when you replace it with whatever costs $10k..
      As usual Bluefox is bang on with his insulting comments, you can always count on him for that..
      But seriously Cheezy maybe a speaker upgrade is needed before a ,,cough cough.. Power cord is needed..
      ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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    • Posts: 2,859
      edited March 2013
      Check with Pepster.He has the ELITE line that runs up to 20k for a 1 meter cable but i'm sure he can design something down to your range if you ask.
      Pepster is a member that does cables but only made to order stuff.
      Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

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      I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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    • Posts: 26,136
      edited March 2013
      http://www.pangeaaudio.com/products.html

      or try moving up the shunyata line.. Synergy is everything and they just might not harmonize with the gear.
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    • Posts: 1,888
      edited March 2013
      Well i'll be honest I didn't expect an actual response from the OP and did feel a little baited, no offense Cheezy. If that's what you want to spend and think it's best spent on power cables that's up to you, I don't have any experience with cables in that price range so I can't offer any advice honestly but i'm sure some others can.
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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      Jhayman wrote: »
      Holy Cow I hear ya Pittdog2..
      Cheezy since money seems to grow on trees for you, can I try out your Venom 3 when you replace it with whatever costs $10k..
      As usual Bluefox is bang on with his insulting comments, you can always count on him for that..
      But seriously Cheezy maybe a speaker upgrade is needed before a ,,cough cough.. Power cord is needed..
      Shall I find no use I will send one to you. It is likely that I will be moving the Venom 3 to my TV screen once I get better power cords.
      brgman wrote: »
      Check with Pepster.He has the ELITE line that runs up to 20k for a 1 meter cable but i'm sure he can design something down to your range if you ask.
      Pepster is a member that does cables but only made to order stuff.
      Pepster? Intriguing.. I will have to read up more about it. Never heard of it before.
      ZLTFUL wrote: »
      Depending on where you are located, see if you have a local HiFi shop that has a audition program that will allow you to take a few power cables home with you to test out.
      the cableco has library for the users to try out their cables as a trial.
      If you are finding the Venom 3 reduces your bass response, I am not sure what to tell you. I haven't experienced that in any systems I have used them in.
      Personally, I am not a fan of Wireworld cables at all. Bad experiences between my uncle and one of his buddys.
      I believe most if not all cables are system dependent. I also heard from another source that the Venom 3 provided very lean sound. If you have subwoofer running, it will be more difficult to hear for difference.
      As for the Focals, nope...a local shop sells them for $750 each online or $700 each in store if you pay cash. A local friend recently picked up a pair which is how I know anything about them at all hehe.
      You can certainly get the CMS65's for that price out there but they are used, or demo.
      As for the Xonar, internal or external? The Essence One is pretty amazing overall but I still find it lacking in several areas. It's nice that it has the built in DAC and headphone amp but then so does the Audioquest Dragonfly, it costs half as much and it cuts out all the extraneous processing of the soundcard.
      It's internal, and it's not Essence line. It's DX7.1.
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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      pitdogg2 wrote: »
      http://www.pangeaaudio.com/products.html
      That looks to be low end.
      show previous quotes
      Yes.. I was looking at the King Cobra CX which could well be a very good performer for the money. I heard in some review that the Audioquest WEL Signature power cord ($7000+) seemed to have better 3 dimensionality. I don't know how good is the low end impact though and low end detail.
      show previous quotes
      Non taken.


      I already bought a $50,000 White Night Power Distributor 2.5m (essentially, a powerstrip) from coconut-audio about 6 weeks ago but I still haven't received it. I am worried that it lost on the way. :( Here is a video of what this cable looks like.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4mwNlRnuaQ

      If you see there is my name engraved to it. "Cheez" with build # "001". I'm the guy that bought it.

      The seller is contacting the International Inquiry Center to start the investigation on this package... I really hope they find it. It would be a huge loss for me if it gets lost. :(


      cheezy
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    • Posts: 15,251
      edited March 2013
      B Run wrote: »
      Well i'll be honest I didn't expect an actual response from the OP and did feel a little baited, no offense Cheezy.

      Exactly, it was the user's first post, it had very little information, and was asking for a power cord between 2K and 10K in price for a 'stereo' consisting of a PC, sound card, and two powered speakers. Troll was written all over the post. It was almost as if our resident troll Jhayman was posting under a new handle. However, since he is appearing serious, check with the Cable Company for their used cables. You can keep swapping until you find what you like.
      http://www.usedcable.com/Catalog/Power-Cable
      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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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      ZLTFUL wrote: »
      One of the Asus AV chipsets or the C-Media? The AV chipsets are fine for gamers but lack quite a bit for the discerning audiophile.
      It's the AV chipset.. I may upgrade the sound card to the Essence line later down the road. But I am not sure how it will sound.. for better or worse:question:
      I am going to be picking up a set of Pangea AC-9s to see what, if any difference there is.
      Please feel free to post your findings and how it compares to the Venom 3.
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    • Posts: 1,548
      edited March 2013
      Now we know..
      Nice video
      ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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    • Posts: 1,888
      edited March 2013
      I already bought a $50,000 White Night Power Distributor 2.5m (essentially, a powerstrip) from coconut-audio about 6 weeks ago but I still haven't received it. I am worried that it lost on the way. :( Here is a video of what this cable looks like.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4mwNlRnuaQ

      If you see there is my name engraved to it. "Cheez" with build # "001". I'm the guy that bought it.

      The seller is contacting the International Inquiry Center to start the investigation on this package... I really hope they find it. It would be a huge loss for me if it gets lost. :(


      cheezy

      Dude seriously?
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    • Posts: 26,136
      edited March 2013
      cheezy wrote: »
      I already bought a $50,000 White Night Power Distributor 2.5m (essentially, a powerstrip) from coconut-audio about 6 weeks ago but I still haven't received it. I am worried that it lost on the way. :( Here is a video of what this cable looks like.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4mwNlRnuaQ

      If you see there is my name engraved to it. "Cheez" with build # "001". I'm the guy that bought it.

      The seller is contacting the International Inquiry Center to start the investigation on this package... I really hope they find it. It would be a huge loss for me if it gets lost.cheezy

      I'm calling poo poo caca on this whole thing. IF you spent 50G's for that!!! Just send someone 50G's sight unseen let alone to listen to to make an informed decision just because? once again poo poo caca!! Guy's go out to the http://www.coconut-audio.com/ and let me know if I'm the only one who thinks it's poo poo

      I'd like to know why you chose the PF to ask these questions to? If you have that kind of money to throw around I'd think you'd be much more well informed...
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    • Posts: 26,136
      edited March 2013
      thanks B-run
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    • Posts: 1,888
      edited March 2013
      Yeah the second I heard Coconut Audio I was done. Nobody is that gullible, seriously.

      My apologies pitdogg, it's fixed haha.
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    • Posts: 8,838
      edited March 2013
      pitdogg2 wrote: »
      I'm calling poo poo caca on this whole thing. IF you spent 50G's for that!!! Just send someone 50G's sight unseen let alone to listen to to make an informed decision just because? once again poo poo caca!! Guy's go out to the http://www.coconut-audio.com/ and let me know if I'm the only one who thinks it's poo poo

      I'd like to know why you chose the PF to ask these questions to? If you have that kind of money to throw around I'd think you'd be much more well informed...

      72424_504199466309264_2055053706_n.png
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    • Posts: 1,548
      edited March 2013
      Cheesy he's a thought wait till you hit 100 posts then you are allowed in the flea market by then maybe Bluefox will have his 2k PC's up for sale..
      ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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    • Posts: 26,136
      edited March 2013
      Ken I take it I'm off base with my thought's ??
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    • Posts: 8,838
      edited March 2013
      pitdogg2 wrote: »
      Ken I take it I'm off base with my thought's ??

      Absoultely not. That was meant for the OP. I was agreeing with your poo poo caca:cheesygrin:
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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      B Run wrote: »
      Dude seriously?
      Yes, seriously. But I didn't pay full $50k. Since I am an early adopter he sold it to me for a very low price (still very expensive for high-end audio term).
      pitdogg2 wrote: »
      I'm calling poo poo caca on this whole thing. IF you spent 50G's for that!!! Just send someone 50G's sight unseen let alone to listen to to make an informed decision just because? once again poo poo caca!! Guy's go out to the http://www.coconut-audio.com/ and let me know if I'm the only one who thinks it's poo poo

      I'd like to know why you chose the PF to ask these questions to? If you have that kind of money to throw around I'd think you'd be much more well informed...
      It's his writing style and honesty. At first I didn't buy his stuff either. I thought it was ridiculous.. but since I can get it for cheap, I wanted to take the chance and see for myself. Based on the specs and his knowledge about cables, I believe it.

      I also had / have other cable manufacturers in mind, such as Kimber, Nordost, Synergistic Research, etc. But I feel they are overpriced for the performance they offer.


      cheezy
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    • Posts: 1,548
      edited March 2013
      So by your comment to me, YOU think $1400 Focal near field speakers warrant an extremely expensive PC..
      Or just maybe you could get better sound by a speaker upgrade for $10k
      Or $8k near fields and $2k PC, I'm thinking even You would go this route.
      ZLTFUL wrote: »
      This comment alone makes me discount quite literally everything you say out of hand and makes me realize you know nothing about nearfield listening. Because the Focals he has are a pretty fantastic pair of nearfield monitors by any definition of the word.
      Nearfields are designed for *gasp* listening up close. And as such have completely different requirements and specs than a set of bookies on stands 10 feet away.
      ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      Jhayman wrote: »
      Now we know..
      Nice video
      Thanks. :-)
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    • Posts: 14,873
      edited March 2013
      Cheezy, I have plenty of the adhesive putty on hand here, along with plenty of copper wire mined exclusively by 1 armed Tibetan virgins (I cannot guarantee that last part though, I have made a few business trips there:redface:).

      I could make you another one for a mere $30k!:lol:
      And thats only because I feel bad the first one was lost in the mail.

      I second the poo poo'ness of this thread.
      Testing
      Testing
      Testing
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    • Posts: 1,888
      edited March 2013
      I can vouch for Pepster's power cables, he made me a slightly better deal than 30k but now I owe him my first born child. Totally worth it:twisted:
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    • Posts: 148
      edited March 2013
      Jhayman wrote: »
      So by your comment to me, YOU think $1400 Focal near field speakers warrant an extremely expensive PC..
      Or just maybe you could get better sound by a speaker upgrade for $10k
      Or $8k near fields and $2k PC, I'm thinking even You would go this route.
      He was implying that these near field speakers are sufficient to hear the benefits of sound from power cable upgrade. Power cords are the biggest upgrade path in the audio system. They also replace your pre-amp / DAC.


      cheezy
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    • Posts: 5,423
      edited March 2013
      Darth Vader vs Ice King

      Darth Vader is silky like Ice King, but instead of being on the bright side, it's on the dark side. Darth Vader and Ice King are enemies, but Darth Vader can't invade Ice King's home planet without freezing to death. And Ice King doesn't own a space ship, so they can never meet. However, having two opposites gives balance to the Universe. It's the same thing with the audio system, you want both cables in the same system to get neutrality. It's best to use Darth Vader for the amplifier, and Ice King for the DAC. For the transport you will use Grim Reaper.

      Free Protein Bar with every order!

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      2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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    • Posts: 26,136
      edited March 2013
      cheezy wrote: »
      Yes, seriously. But I didn't pay full $50k. Since I am an early adopter he sold it to me for a very low price (still very expensive for high-end audio term).

      I also had / have other cable manufacturers in mind, such as Kimber, Nordost, Synergistic Research, etc. But I feel they are overpriced for the performance they offer.cheezy

      It's getting very deep in here I didn't bring my snorkel or wetsuit ^^^^^^the last comment is well ....you get the idea:loneranger::eek::evil: poo poo caca
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