Search the Community

I always find the good Drs commentary interesting so I thought I would post his latest for discussion. Power cables being able to somehow clean the power that comes from your street in good old fashioned copper with insulation - then into an expensive cable - then back into a basic plug - and then internal wiring in the amp or source. Dr. AIX I know, I know. Talking about cables is a sure fire way to start a protracted — and unruly — discussion among audiophiles. The subjectivists write flowery prosaic descriptions while those of use who prefer to trust facts and science report the science and move on. That regular posts about cables continue to appear on various Facebook audiophile group pages shows just how unsettled the topic remains among the uninformed. Yet here I am writing another blog on cables — power cables — to be exact. Is there really anything left to be said? The catalyst in this instance is a recent review I read over at Positive Feedback, a site that features the motto "A Creative Forum for the Audio Arts" — creativity being the key word in that phrase. My reaction to many of the articles/reviews I've found on this site confirms their tilt towards the creative with a total disregard for the facts. But it was the review of the Cardas Audio Clear Beyond Power XLcable that eclipsed anything I've read for quiet a while. And guess who authored the review? The same gentleman that booted me from the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society last year because I dared challenge his unwavering support for the myth of power cables with documentary proof during a meeting here in SoCal! Click here if you would like to read that very popular post. More about his ridiculous review in a moment... A few days ago I had to remove my Oppo BDP-203 from the rack and I happened to notice that it had a couple of screws bouncing around inside. As a former electronics technician and builder of more than my share of HeathKit products (receivers, guitar and amplifier, test equipment etc.), I've always enjoyed peeking inside audio gear. I've done a few mods on another Oppo player and a power amplifier in the past, so simply removing a few screws would be a piece of cake. However, inspired as I was from reading Bob Levi's effusive prose in the PF review ("A liquid elegance and fleshy musical beauty emerged from a previous coolness and thinness."), I decided to take a look — and some photographs — at the cabling inside the IEC power connector on the rear panel of the Oppo. See below: The IEC power connector and three cables connecting to the power supply of the Oppo 203 I've been through this exercise before but let me restate the facts once again. The power reaching your duplex outlets comes through your home wiring through 12 or 14 gauge copper Romex wire depending on the amperage required (usually 20 or 15 amps) and costs about $2 per foot. And inside your equipment is more 12 or 14 gauge stranded wire — generic wire that probably costs about the same. Designers of expensive IEC power cords would like you to believe that the 6 foot piece of cable they sell you which may contain "hundreds of the purest copper strands, each and every strand is coated with single poly nylon and only touch each other electrically at the final connection point" is going to magically transform the analog — or digital — signals passing between your components. For someone to claim that power cords "often make extraordinary differences " in the fidelity of your system is like saying that delivering that cord in a velvet bag inside of custom crafted box with dovetail joints has an impact on the sound! It's just crazy! And anyone that would write such a thing and any website that would publish it should have their "bona fides" revoked. I know I wouldn't trust anyone that would write something so ridiculous — and easy to prove incorrect. That's what I did with a very expensive power cord that a gentleman sent me some years ago. I used the regular IEC power cord recommended by my friends at Benchmark with their DAC 2 HGC and then swapped it out for the $3000 cord, which did come in a velvet bag inside a wooden box. I captured the analog output when using both cables and did a null comparison. To the utter amazement of the vendor in Atlanta, they both produced exactly the same output. Now some high-end audio manufacturers would have you believe that if two signals are identical that they could produce different sonic signatures — but that's also utter nonsense! I guess if you've got an extra $3000 dollars that's burning whole in your pocket then throwing it away on a single 6-foot power cord is up to you. But if improving the fidelity of your system is among your priorities, then save your money and ignore the recommendations of people like Bob H. Levi and websites like Positive Feedback. The Cardas Audio Clear Beyond Power XL - Photo courtesy of PF Feel free to read the review yourself. Every paragraph contains prime examples of why audiophile "experts" are not always the best sources of information and why audiophiles as reviewers is also not a good idea. Here's a few gems from the review: "Top-tier power cords are the best way to tweak a state-of-the-art system for maximum realism and definition. After tube rolling, cable selection and matching, suspension tuning, final equipment selections, speaker adjustments, and room acoustics, you may not quite have that timbral naturalness and background blackness that brings the system to life. For that final adjustment, try different power cords to bring out those important nuances". It's actually hard to read paragraphs like the above without laughing out loud — yet many audiophiles accept these fantasies as facts. "The Cardas Audio Clear Beyond Power XL in combination with the V12 Amplifier yielded one of those unforgettable, you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me moments an audiophile never forgets! The XL was easily 25% more detailed, produced a blacker background, was smoother than my already smooth reference, and captured timbral realism beyond my ability to describe in English. Like the fictional Red Violin, maybe George has captured DNA and infused it into this power cord such that it reveals not just a great recording, but a great performance just a few feet in front of you. I had to remind myself, this was just a power cord change, not an additional super widget component. The resulting system improvement in realism and mellifluousness with just one Cardas Audio Clear Beyond Power XL was fantastic and unassailable". One final anecdote before I post this blog. Before I was kicked out of the LA & OC Audiophile Society (for telling the truth about cables!), I attended one of their regular monthly events. Bob was always very kind to allow me to sell my book (Music and Audio: A User Guide To Better Sound ) during meetings. He even gave it a very positive review but I'm guessing he didn't read the chapter on cables. Anyway, a local vendor was doing an A|B comparison. He was elevating the hard drive attached to his laptop with an isolation pad ($250) between playing back the same digital music selection. He went back and forth a couple of times to make sure everyone could hear the difference (there was none!). I was sitting close to Bob along one side of the ballroom and heard him announce to a couple other members of the society what a huge improvement he experienced with the isolation pad in place. Only he made that pronouncement when the pad was removed NOT in place — he got it exactly reversed. My father once taught me that integrity is something that is very difficult to establish — but very easy to lose. How much integrity is present in audiophile reviews? From my perspective — not very much. http://secure.campaigner.com/csb/Public/show/566i-y6tsa--jj2lp-seyvl35

Firstly, discussions on cables and amplifier differences tend to cause a lot of heat and it's not my intent to do so, I am just asking for opinions on this. I have noticed in looking up US forums versus those in UK, Australia and elsewhere, that there is a divide in the opinion of regarding whether there are differences in cable performance, be it power cables or speakers or interconnects, and some also think that if you equalise the levels of amps, there is no difference there either. The Americans tend to think it's total hogwash, this is a bit of a stereotype as some there do believe it, but in general, the opinion is that, there is no need to get another more than bell wire or a kettle cord. IMHO, I have heard some differences, but I tend to subscribe to the 10% rule and limit my expense on cables / HDMI etc to that amount. I have also heard difference in amp quality and I am happy to pay more for it. Higher grade amps will also sound better due to their better power supplies and the potential increase in dynamics. What do you think?

Uploading a YouTube video to compare the following three power cables - 1. Ice age audio power cables 2. Chord Mains Power cables 3. Voodoo Avatar Power cables Would love to hear your feedback.

Interesting video, explaining even why would better power cable give more stage, etc even after cheap connection to the wall socket. Ch

Further information: Isotek Polaris Evo3 powerboard., 6 Australian outlet with surge protection. Plenty information online about Isotek power conditioning products. Retail about $800. Unfortunately no box and iec power cable Not included. I do have quality cables for those interested. A few scratches on the side of the casing otherwise good working order. Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item - if you have previously sold items and not made a donation, your advertisement may not be approved.

Item: Isotek Elite Power Cable - 1.5 metre Location: North Perth Price: $150 Item Condition: Very Good to excellent Reason for selling: NLR Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: 1.5 Metre with receipt and original packaging. Cable is like new. Pictures:

Further information: DECIDED NOT TO SELL, PLEASE DELETE THIS AD FOR ME THANK YOU. Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item

Further information: DECIDED NOT TO SELL, PLEASE DELETE THIS AD FOR ME THANK YOU. Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item

Further information: Selling used Chord company Sarum T power cable (1.5m length) (RRP $4500). In as new condition, no issue with it, no scratches, no dents, no wear or tears. C13/15 connector, AU plug. thank you Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item - if you have previously sold items and not made a donation, your advertisement may not be approved.

Item: DH Labs Power Plus AC Cables x 4 Location: Melbourne Price: See Below Item Condition: Very Good Reason for selling: NLR Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Can ship to anyone, anywhere at purchasers expense ! Highly performance cables with unanimously positive reviews, the DH Labs Power Plus are built using high purity copper 12 gauge conductors wound in a noise cancelling geometry, they're also very flexible considering their high current capacity & thickness. I have 4 available: 2 x 1.5m with Wattgate 526i/320i series terminations, $200 Each 2 x 1.25m with Premium Furutech F-11M/G Au (24kt Gold Plated Pure Alpha Copper Conductor) series terminations, $300 Each Pictures:

Further information: Selling used Isotek EVO3 ELITE POWER CABLE (C13/15, AU PLUG) (RRP $1099). (2m length) Price is negotiable, so DM me thanks I only bought it 3 days ago, I decided to upgrade to better power cable, hence selling it (I can provide the receipt) I am happy to post it (express post, signature on delivery & insurance) at agreed cost. thank you Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item

Further information: PSC (Pure Silver Connection) Pristine series Mkiii power cables, AU plug, 1.5m end to end. Silver rectangular conductor. PSC is Australian design and made silver cables with cult reputation. They are well known in Asia esp. Korea and Europe and sell for mega $. Very high quality cables with well deserved reputation for high current power delivery because of the high purity silver used. Clean, open sound without the hash and brightness from less pure silver. I believe these retail $1500 at this length. https://www.pscaudio.com/power_new.htm https://www.entiresound.com/power-cables Photos: PLEASE READ If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved

Item: Opera Consonance Ella Baby power cable (US Plug) 1.8m x 4 Location: Williamstown VIC Price: $120 ea or $440 for all 4 Item Condition: Good to very good Reason for selling: NLR Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: These are a great upgrade to standard power cables. RRP is $230 so these are priced well. Two of the cables are missing the external ground/shield wire, but I received them like this. Didn't make a difference for me with the other 2 cables, and frankly, unless your device has a ground post on the rear of the unit its a pain to try and attach. 11AWG COPPER POWER CORD 99.99% Pure OFC Copper, WATTGATE IEC plug The Ellabay Power Cord is electrically connected to the ground/shield wire and equipped with a heavy 4-layers-fabric tinned copper shield. This heavy gauge handcrafted power cord could keep EMI & RFI away from the power lines or other digital components. - 2 x 11AWG Power wire -11 AWG Ground - Pure copper-plated heavy IEC plug - Heavy tinned copper shield (4 layers) The most inside layer is made of aluminum foil and then the 75% tinned copper shield, while the 93% tinned copper shield is located at the most outside. Between the 2 layers of tinned copper shield, there is a PVC insulation located.

Item: DH Labs Power Plus AC Cables x 4 Location: Melbourne Price: See Below Item Condition: Very Good Reason for selling: NLR Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Can ship to anyone, anywhere at purchasers expense ! Highly performance cables with unanimously positive reviews, the DH Labs Power Plus are built using high purity copper 12 gauge conductors wound in a noise cancelling geometry, they're also very flexible considering their high current capacity & thickness. I have 4 available: 2 x 1.5m with Wattgate 526i/320i series terminations, $180 Each 2 x 1.25m with Premium Furutech F-11M/G Au (24kt Gold Plated Pure Alpha Copper Conductor) series terminations, $275 Each

Further information: DECIDED NOT TO SELL, PLEASE DELETE THIS AD FOR ME THANK YOU. Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item

Item: TARA LABS ' Quantum' 'Time and Space' AC Power Cables - 1.8m Pair (2 x 1.8m cables) Location: Brisbane Price: $275 - sale pending Item Condition: 8/10 Reason for selling: No longer required Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal Extra Info: These are excellent cables - very well made with medical grade HPM powerpoint plugs. Quite stiff, though not unmanageable like some power cables. Bought from Caxton Street Audio in Brisbane. They've had good use (they have been stored for number of years), but they are still very serviceable. A pair would suit a pair of mono block amplifiers (I had them connected to a pair of valve mono blocks at one stage) or use them individually on a CD player or other equipment. Price includes both cables (pair). Will post ($15 Australia wide) or you can pick them up from at Indooroopilly in Brisbane. Also, I have some other cables for sale - checkout my other listings Pictures:

Item: Isotek Evo 3 Polaris 6 outlet power board & Evo 3 Premier power cable Location: Melbourne Eastern Suburbs Price: $550 will not split so please don't ask (rrp $800) Item Condition: 9/10 Reason for selling: downsized system, no longer required Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: You all know these products and how well they perform for the $$$. I have 2 polaris boards and Premier cables for sources but only need 1 board now. I bought a Moon Neo Ace integrated amp/streamer/dac/phono a couple of months ago so my box count has dropped dramatically. So this one is no longer required. There might be some tiny scuffs from plugging things in but it's sat untouched behind my entertainment unit for over 12 months unit so probably needs a dust too. I also had some blutak over the overly bright blue LED as I didn't want the glow from under my unit. Pictures:

Item: Isotek Polaris EVO3 Power Board & EVO3 Premium (1.5m) power cable X 1 & EVO3 Initium(1.5m) power cables X 2 Location:Brisbane and Gold Coast Price: $648.00 as a bundle Item Condiion:Excellent Reason for selling:Gone overseas Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info:Near new Isotek Power Board (6 outlets) and 3 Isotek power cables (1 X Premium and 2 x Initium). Pictures:

Item: Standard Australian approved power cables - some used Location: Pickup South Yarra during Business hours Price: $2 each + postage extra Item Condition: Excellent condition Reason for selling: Have surplus 50+ Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Don't waste your money on expensive power cables, these will sound exactly the same in your high end systems. Pictures:

Item: Power Cables (AU Plug) Price Range: <$100 Item Condition: New or Used Extra Info: IEC C13

Are you actually advocating changing a power cord to rectify "The problem, some grain and harshness, most noticeable on some female vocals."??? I just want to make sure before I burst out laughing Cheers TT