Powercord upgrade path

[lschoonaert]

Hi guys,

I'm currently upgrading my power cords for my system, which would benefit the most of a shunyata powercord and which least?

McIntosch MC2301 (tubes)
McIntosch C1100 pre-amp (tubes)
McIntosh MCD1100 CD player
Aurender N10 (media streamer
Ear 834P phonostage stage

I currently have a triton v2 with a typhon, and an alpha HC powecord - everything is hooked up to that.

Dedicated powerlines will be installed shortly - for the triton as well as for the MC2301 (a dedicated line for each).

Really appreciate the feeedback
Luk

[rscotth]

IMHO, amps first, then pre, then sources.

[lschoonaert]

I'm also looking at upgrading interconnects... Which would yield the most return? Upgrading to high end interconnects or to powercords?
Considering i already have the triton and typhon...

[jpgr4blu]

Upgraded pc to amp is IMHO the best of the upgrades you mentioned with pcs. As to ics, from source to pre usually has the most beneficial effect.

[Vhiner]

Luk,

I concur that the power amp should be first priority; however, after that, it gets tricky. As to your sources, I think the digital filtering in the Alpha digital cable is extremely beneficial. Whether you put one on your Aurender or your CD player first should be determined by which you use most. The CD player is the noisiest device in your system and will likely yield the most bang for buck. But if you use the Aurender more often, that's probably a better place to start when it comes to sources.

Whether you address sources or preamplifier first really depends upon the preamplifier in question and I have no experience with Mac gear. I would email Grant at Shunyata directly for the absolute best advice. He's never steered me toward a more expensive path when a more affordable path will suffice.

Vance

[edward3132]

On my upgrade path on power cords, I went from source to amp.

The IC's made the most difference especially at the source.

The SC's were icing on the cake

Edward

[The Lost Bears]

I have actually been amazed at how much of a difference power cords can make. I would replace the power cords for the amp and preamp first. The next most important cable in my opinion would be the speaker cables. Then I would worry about the interconnects. Preamp to power amp would be the first one I would replace. Then source cables.

When you replace all the power cables, it seems to have a reinforcing effect. Bear in mind, cables are very system dependent. A cable that sounds really good in one system may not work that well in another. This is especially true for interconnects and speaker cables.

[lschoonaert]

Well I think I'm going to start with PC's for my MC2301's and C1100 - so connecting those to my Tritonv2 - should I go for :

Shunyata Research Ztron Alpha Analog or HC.

I'm not sure, I'm thinking tube amps -> Analog. But then these are pretty serious beasts, maybe they benefit more from HC?

But maybe with the Triton the HC is overkill?

[Ritmo]

Your amps really need the HC version. If you can stretch it, go for the Sigmas.

[edward3132]

If budget allows then would always pick Alpha HC over the Alpha Analog. The HC has everything the Analog has and more. The Alpha Digital is more intune for high frequency noise of digital products.

In summary: MC 2301's Alpha HC or Sigma HC
C1100 Alpha Analog, Alpha HC or Sigma Analog (all in that order with great to best)

You will not go wrong no matter which cord you pick.

Edward