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Cables Galore Speaker cables, Interconnects & Power cords |
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#11
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I'm not surprised by your findings. My system was populated with Diamond Back P/C's until recently. They have 100% braided shielding. They are also super-frozen which supposedly rearranges their molecular structure (questionable to me)??? I have moved on to Nordost Freyll P/C's which are significantly better. I don't like spending money on such tweaks but must admit they do work!!!
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System: ML:5206,5302 Serafino's Nordost Lumin U1 RM15 |
#12
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Very interesting finding. Since you are an engineer what do you think is happening? For example, do the extra electric/magnetic fields affect the sound waves traveling through the air? Or do those electromagnetic fields affect the amplifier in a way the amplifier can’t handle it? (If so, can an amplifier be designed to handle them and thus make the need for a fancy power cord unnecessary?) |
#13
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I took the Red pill
I can hypothesize that EMI from the AC cords will get back into the audio chain through conduction into adjacent input cables, speaker cables, and ground lines. This 60 Hz interference signal will ride on top of the desired audio, creating intermodulation distortion products that are audible as a smearing of critical timing and timbre information.
This is just a hypothetical explanation on my part. Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#14
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I've long thought that many audiophiles started as skeptics. That's certainly the story with my journey, which really began after I graduated from the Julian Hirsch School of Audio. It is amazing the kinds of things that can make a difference in an audio system; in the end, almost everything matters.
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Primary sources: VPI TNT III/SDS turntable, SME-V arm; Bryston BDP-3 digital player; Bryston BDA-3 DAC; McIntosh MVP-881 disc player; McIntosh MR-80 tuner. Preamplifier Audio Research Ref 5SE; Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE; Moon 430 HA. Amplifiers Conrad Johnson Premier 1B; Audio Research D-300; Bryston 4B. Speakers Infinity IRS Beta. Recorders Tandberg TD20A; Crown SX-822; Nakamichi 670ZX; Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. Power Tice Power Block/Titan (x2); McIntosh MPC1500; API Ultra II-20; multiple 20A derated dedicated lines. |
#15
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Dan - this is going to be a fun ride. The fact there are measurable differences in at least some aspects of power cable performance helps me mentally justify making the changes. The sonic improvements are pretty significant. I am also looking at how much EMI my gear makes and making changes to its position to try and minimize any interference. More on this later.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#16
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Some interesting findings you've made. I also use my EMI meter quite often and I'm surprised at how much and sometimes how little power cables differ from each other. One of the first tests I made with my meter was checking to see if I was using the quietest 120 leg of my electrical panel for my gear. It turned out I did not and there is a big difference in EMI noise in my 2 legs for whatever reason. After a few minutes of swapping my dedicated lines over to the quieter of the 2 legs I had a free and noticeable upgrade.
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#17
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W9TR, my apologies, my post doesn't read very well. The Diamond Back is a very good P/C and an excellent choice. My intent was to say I was looking for a solution to a problem in my system. Once again my sincerest apology.
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System: ML:5206,5302 Serafino's Nordost Lumin U1 RM15 |
#18
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No worries - I took no offense. I am learning a lot and really value everyone’s perspectives. I don’t have any preconceived notion about any of this stuff - apart from the fact that I’m now a believer.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#19
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I love these tweaks that are free and based on a solid scientific foundation. It’s a win-win, takes very little time, and pays off big time. Congrats on the easy and free upgrade. Having a simple EMI meter and making the invisible visible has been revelatory. Highly recommended!
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#20
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Tom,
Really glad to read of your experiences with these power cords and your comments about the improvements they bring. Your experiences are consistent with those many of us have had with aftermarket power cords, and for me, Shunyata's superb range of power cord products over the years. I started off similar to you, in that I bought a couple of Diamond PCs at 50% off from Dedicated Audio in 2010, and did some experiments. The results I obtained were so impressive that I bought some Venom 3 PCs (which were just being launched into the market) for the remainder of the components in my stereo and for my Home Theatre TV and AVR. Things improved even more when I got a Hydra 4, and some Black Mamba CX and HC/CX power cords. One the thing most important requirements for a power cord, in addition to reducing the efflux/influx of EMI and RFI is Dynamic Transient Current Delivery aka DTCD. It's DTCD capability that allows a power cord to breathe life, respsonsiveness, attack, dynamics and power into an audio presentation, and its responsible to a large extent for the improvents you're hearing with your Venom & Diamondback power cords. Caelin developed a very important and useful measurement system for measuring DTCD quanitatively, and this metrology has provided an objective way for him to evaluate new power cord designs and configurations over the years. So, while some of the measurements you've made explain some of the improvement you're hearing, you'd need other metrology to be able to measure some of the other "measureable" attributes that comprise (just) part of what we hear. Here is a graphic showing DTCD between a Venom 3 and a generic black power cord from Shunyata back in the day (around the 2011 time-frame, IIRC). One thing I can attest to is you will obtain clearly discernable and audible improvements as you move up the Shunyata power cord product line from Venom to Delta to Alpha, etc. If you think the Venom and Diamondback power cords are impressive, you should get in the new Venom NR-V10 and V-12 noise suppression power cords for evaluation, especially if you are not using a Shunyata power distributor. The improvements these will bring to your musical presentation over your Venom and Diamondback PCs is in a word, CONSIDERABLE. To sum up: "You haven't heard anything yet!" Regards, Stephen aka PC
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
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