AudioNervosa
The Market => Manufacturer News => Topic started by: hometheaterdoc on March 24, 2010, 10:55:15 AM
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They're a dime a dozen these cable manufacturers :) hehehehe.... But I was chatting with a friend yesterday who got introduced to an affordable power cord that bested everything they threw at it in a power cord shootout meet recently. It included some very, very pricey cords and was a unanimous vote as favorite... Not a brand name anyone is familiar with.
It piqued my interest. So I'm working on getting a couple of them in to try and compare. I know how we hate cable comparisons, but thought this might interest some folks. It's slightly more expensive at MSRP than a JPS Labs Power AC+. Maybe for Carl's upcoming get together we can show them off and do a comparison? I hopefully will have a couple of them by then and can share some thoughts from listening in my systems.....
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They're a dime a dozen these cable manufacturers Smile hehehehe....
As are audio dealers! :rofl:
got introduced to an affordable power cord that bested everything they threw at it in a power cord shootout
It always makes me chuckle when a new power cord, interconnects, speaker wire etc get mentioned as it always starts with the line above. It's never good, decent or great, it's always better than anything else that was there!
Not picking on Shane at all, just pointing it out as I find it amusing.
I must ask though, why the secrecy on the manufacturer of this cord Shane? Let's have some details.
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Touche, John.
I was specifically referring to non-established brands that pop up all the time. Get some stock wire, put some pretty techflex on it, slap some ends on it and you have yourself a cable business. yeah, they have to start somewhere, but more often than not, there isn't really anything there that's different than the next guy.
This is something an engineer worked up and I think they are potentially partnering with a larger cable manufacturer to offer the design through their brand. Nothing set in stone. So I can't really say yet the brand or give details.
Until I get my hands on it and listen myself for a period of time, it will remain the mystery cable. The only reason I even mentioned it was for the locals as several have indicated they were still looking for a power cord upgrade from their current stuff.
I know several of the folks that listened to the cord at the shootout meeting and know their ears. The list of cables used in the shootout was pretty extensive and well respected. If they said it was better and by a wide margin, it's worthy enough to give it an audition and see if it's just another fly by night fad or if there is something to it. I don't often pull any punches. If I like it, I like it. If I hate it and think it sounds like crap, I'll let everyone know it sounds like crap. As Rich says, I hate everything. So my list of dislikes is a whole lot longer than my likes. This may end up in the like column, but I doubt it....
I found it intriguing because of its price point. It's not a $20 "miracle" cable. It isn't exactly super cheap. However, it's not $1500 MSRP like a JPS Kaptovator either. I have a pretty healthy dose of skepticism going into this. But if it sounds better than JPS, by all means, I'll let folks know and we'll give it a whirl in a shootout or pass it around to some of the locals to try in systems to compare with what they are currently using. I don't like to spend money any more than the next guy. So I'm always on the lookout for value stuff.
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Hey Shane,
Thanks for the follow up and an even bigger thanks for not taking offense to what I posted. I was honestly not trying to be a smart ass. I was simply pointing out something that I think happens a fair bit and you took it in stride. :thumb:
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No problemo, John. I knew where you going..... and I agree with you.
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Always curious, but increasingly skeptical (damn, Shane, maybe you're rubbing off on me :duh.
I have become a believer, however, in the substantial effect power has on audio so the hook in what you say, Shane, is if a new engineering concept is in play in the design of the cable.
FWIW, I think what pulls us in on this stuff is that different power cables do sound different, but system and listener dependencies are often what define better. Yet, some power cords have consistently sounded better than others across many different systems and to many different listeners and that strikes me as an important measure of a better designed cable. (and certainly John's Silver Refs and the JPS cables seem to do so based on numerous local G2Gs).
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I agree, Mike.. 'better' is essentially 'difference that we like'. In my system, Black Sand's cables still reign supreme. I did like the JPS AC+ on the preamp, though.. It had a 'just right' sound.. then I changed tubes.. and that combo sounded better with the latest 'Statement 1' cable from Black Sand. So, that's where it sits today.. just humming along sounding groovy.
Not many have heard my system since Rich helped me pad the tweeters a bit.. It is milky smooth and still beautifully detailed to my ears. I have no interest in changing anything else. It's rare to hear someone say they're truly done.. but I think I am. I've been done since the tweeters were fixed. I'm like, wow, that was it!
Anyway.. power cables.. preferences.. yes, yes... and if we have time at the end of the next meet, we'll swap them in on the preamp.. that's where the biggest difference is usually heard.
-C
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We'll skip it for your get together, Carl.... I'd rather focus on your idea for the get together. I'll bring them in case folks really really want to do it at the end... but not sure I will have them at that point anyways. No update yet on if they are on their way or not.
We'll do something either by passing them around to the locals that are interested or I'll have another go round once all these plans come together and some of the new gear arrives...
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Shane, I'm curious. Any chance it's related to the "Best Audio Cables in the World" (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79128.0) thread over on AC?
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A long while ago Nagys started a similar thread claiming the best coupling cap in the world was Vishay MKT1822. I tried some for Grounded Grid preamp, and a Pass B1 preamp. For the price of $1/uF they are OK, better than Solens, but they certainly are NOT the best in the world. So until I hear otherwise from trusted ears I will continue to be skeptical of Nagys hype. I am always skeptical of cheap, giant killer cables. Beware the giant killers.
From http://www.nagysaudio.com/
"Luxury Audio Cables?" :roll:
"Capable of incredible softness and extreme violence?" :shock:
Now that really hurts my imagination. :duh
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Nope, definitely not the same person. I'll give you a call....
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Shane, I'm curious. Any chance it's related to the "Best Audio Cables in the World" (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79128.0) thread over on AC?
I thought for sure this was that. :shock:
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Shane, I'm curious. Any chance it's related to the "Best Audio Cables in the World" (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79128.0) thread over on AC?
I thought for sure this was that. :shock:
I thought for sure that it wasn't. :roll:
I'll give Shane way more credit than that. 8)
Cheers,
Robin
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Thank heavens :duh
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Thank heavens :duh
Yes for little girls "Thank Heaven"
charles
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I am always skeptical of cheap, giant killer cables. Beware the giant killers.
Rich,
I think we are all skeptical of wild claims. But just like with a car wreck we can't help ourselves, we have to look. :duh
Even if there is only a one in a million chance that the claims have any validity at all, this might just be the one......... and I couldn't bear the thought of missing out on it. :rofl:
Nervosa at work 8)
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Yes for little girls "Thank Heaven"
I do everyday!
(http://www.hollyday.com/images/uploadedimages/image/christina.jpg)
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Yes for little girls "Thank Heaven"
I do everyday!
(http://www.hollyday.com/images/uploadedimages/image/christina.jpg)
Spoken like a true Dad. :thumb:
Treasure these days. There are times where the minutes seem to drag on for hours. But then all of a sudden the years are gone in a flash. Work and Hi-Fi will be around for years, but they're only young once
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A lucky man you are Rich. God bless.
charles
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Thanks Charles, bless you too!
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These should finally be at my place tomorrow to start listening... I'll let you know once I get some time on them whether they're worth passing around for others to try....
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Here's a link to the Nagy's Cable review thread, just in case you're interested to hear how the "best" stacks up against the "average"
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79982.0 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79982.0)
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Yeah, not a lot going on there. Somehow I have to think the giant killer may have stubbed his toe or something.
But I am eager to hear what Shane things about these new mysterious cables he's come across.
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ok... so they are a real brand that folks have likely heard of before. I know the engineer was in discussions to sell the design to someone. They're pretty to look at with the way they are dressed up....
I'm breaking one in right now on the Belles Ref 150A v2 amp driving the new Harbeths. I listened for a little while last night with the tube amp and decided to give it a bit of time before forming any concrete opinions because it was changing quite a bit while I listened. Initial listen was very different from JPS.
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Shane:
I have to commend you for the way you have kept of in suspense and now have us to the point of almost begging to know more! :thumb:
Oh, by the way, the new Harbeth's in Rosewood are just drop dead beautiful!
Ken
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OK, Shane.... if you're just going to slowly leak the info... can you tell us the price range? Are they in the JPS AC+/Digital AC range? I think you've already said they're less than a Kaptovator and more than a Pangea.
Inquiring minds want to know (along with how they sound of course ;-) If you need any help breaking them in, let me know... :thumb:
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A 2M length is $639.00 MSRP. So slightly more pricey than a JPS Power AC+.
Right now at this point in the break-in process, it's not my favorite. More detail and spatial cues than the JPS. Images are more precise and defined in space. Guitar strings are more real sounding. But it makes me clench my jaw from the moment the amp is powered on and music starts playing. I've got a headache inside 3 minutes. Not necessarily more forward sounding as the soundstage in both cases is still just barely in front of the speakers to waaaay back behind them. But it's definitely leaner in the middle and that's just not my bag. The note decay is too extended with it. I'm hoping my opinion changes as it breaks in. I can certainly see what people went nuts for at the meet... It's got the wow factor in short bursts...
I'm not really trying to be all secretive and trying to drag this out for folks. In hindsight, I should have kept my trap shut until I received some demos and ran them through their paces. I also probably should have just done this via email with you local guys. But I was intrigued at the time after my conversation and thought this might be something and jumped the gun a bit by posting about it. If this turns out to be something that just isn't right for me, I don't want to hurt the brand by being all negative about it publicly. It may work for some folks. So I'm keeping the brand name, now that I know it is an official cable for a known cable brand and not a single guy's creation, private for now. If folks really have to know, PM me and I'll share it.
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Shane, I can totally respect that. I have seen how a bit of negative feedback can quickly snowball (as can early raves). Those of us that have spent time at G2Gs with you have also come to appreciate your sensitivity to certain types of sounds (even if we can't hear it, when you clench your jaw, I'm pretty sure I can hear dogs howling outside :rofl:
I've heard other wire that also accentuated detail but typically at the price of musicality. Let us know how these play out - particularly compared to the JPS PCs. While I believe in breakin, I also know that sometimes breakin is just me getting use to a different sound.
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all right... I've given then some break in and they are better than when first plugged in..... but I still prefer the JPS cords overall... these do some things better (midbass detail, bigger soundstage, more defined edges to images), but the grind my teeth quality never went away completely.
Before these go back to the manufacturer, anyone here in the local area want to give them a spin in their systems? Shoot me a PM and we'll make arrangements to meet up and let you try them for a few days.
Thanks!
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Unless they are substantially cheaper than the JPS, I'll pass and continue to save my pennies for JPS PCs.
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Unless they are substantially cheaper than the JPS, I'll pass and continue to save my pennies for JPS PCs.
I feel the exact same way as Mike!
Ken