ARC REF 75 Power Cord Upgrade

[iamhifi]

Valhalla 2

[Number95]

I use Shunyata Ztron Anacondas with Ref 610ts, excellent resolution and pitch black backgrounds.

[Antipodean Brad]

This may be a dumb question, but what is wrong with the cord provided by Audio Research? I presume that they would provide a high quality cord.

Brad

[mg87]

I have been pleased with Oyaide P/C-079 (Gold contacts) with an Acrolink PC 4030ii (copper). It really allows the soundstage to develop with wide/tall/deep presentation, solid detail but not analytical, excellent midrange, gives some added bloom to the (REF75) tubes. I originally chose this cable due to great write-ups and the simplicity of the cable. Some components don't always have the space to deal with 1m x 1" diameter ac cables and for a REF75 current draw the AWG is plenty. These can be cut and shortened to length in about 15 minutes. That feature and the sonic signature has out weighted the more complex AC cables that may require shipping to manufacturer for changes. The cable diameter is about 3/4" and the bend radius is good for tighter cable runs. I turnover a lot of gear and I like the cable management options here. Also, allows experimentation with terminations. The fine-tuning process has offered additional benefits.

[CGabriel]

Originally Posted by Antipodean Brad

This may be a dumb question, but what is wrong with the cord provided by Audio Research? I presume that they would provide a high quality cord. Brad

I have tested many "standard" power cords and they are not all created equal. Most are commodity products designed to minimize cost to the manufacturer since most consumers do not place any value added to the power cord. Audio Research is a manufacturer that sweats all the details of their products and the results speak for themselves. I have tested the standard C19 cord that AR supplies with their amps and preamps with our DTCD analyzer. It is roughly equivalent to our VENOM-3 power cord which means that it is exceptionally good for a supplied cord. Interestingly the OEM cost of the cord is much higher than a commodity cord. This really shows ARs attention to detail and commitment to delivering exceptional performance.

cg

[MPS]

Power lines and supply are different in different places so one thing that works with one case might not with another. Anyway I'm surprised there's so many answers to this thread but I guess it's a popular amp and most ppl do change their power cords.

[PLK]

Appreciate all the input.

Should have my REF 75 next week....maybe the stock PC will be just fine.

[iamhifi]

No use a better cable for the amp, you can get away with the pre but not the amp.

[Coopersark]

Originally Posted by PLK

Appreciate all the input.

Should have my REF 75 next week....maybe the stock PC will be just fine.

I am a very experienced and extensive user of Shunyata power products. (Caelin Gabriel will attest to this!) I use their top products on a couple of my audio systems.
Audio Research Reference electronics comprise the electronics and CD source one of my systems. The improvement over the stock Audio Research power cords that were supplied is absolutely stunning. Please keep in mind that this is in the context of every component using Shunyata's current Anaconda Zitron and the older generation King Cobra CX's plugged into a Triton power conditioner on a dedicated line.
You will not know what your equipment is capable of until you at least try this route. I am sure that you will be pleased with your REF 75 "as is", especially after those grueling 600 hours of break in. However, if you want to elevate the sound of your audio system to make every note count - to have every note linger in the air and gradually fade to blackness (A hallmark of contemporary Audio Research REF gear), if you want a more defined sound stage, and if you want to hear more detail of what is going on in that sound stage, along with increased dynamics, then you must give the Shunyata power cables a try, and considering that your first cable is for your power amp, you will want to use at minimum a Python Zitron, from the current stable that they offer.
While Caelin was being diplomatic, I think that in the end, he will agree with me. One other consideration, (does the search for audio perfection ever end?!) you may want to use one of Shunyata's Cyclops power conditioners on your REF 75 amp. Having used this essential "cannot live without it" device on several of my power amplifiers, I can tell you that the results are absolutely jaw dropping on every one of them.
You don't know what you are missing until you hear it for yourself. Go slow, live with your new amp. Let it break in, and then borrow some Shunyata power cords and a conditioner from your dealer. Listen for yourself! Have fun and enjoy that beautiful new REF 75 amplifier!

[PLK]

Originally Posted by Coopersark

I am a very experienced and extensive user of Shunyata power products. (Caelin Gabriel will attest to this!) I use their top products on a couple of my audio systems.
Audio Research Reference electronics comprise the electronics and CD source one of my systems. The improvement over the stock Audio Research power cords that were supplied is absolutely stunning. Please keep in mind that this is in the context of every component using Shunyata's current Anaconda Zitron and the older generation King Cobra CX's plugged into a Triton power conditioner on a dedicated line.
You will not know what your equipment is capable of until you at least try this route. I am sure that you will be pleased with your REF 75 "as is", especially after those grueling 600 hours of break in. However, if you want to elevate the sound of your audio system to make every note count - to have every note linger in the air and gradually fade to blackness (A hallmark of contemporary Audio Research REF gear), if you want a more defined sound stage, and if you want to hear more detail of what is going on in that sound stage, along with increased dynamics, then you must give the Shunyata power cables a try, and considering that your first cable is for your power amp, you will want to use at minimum a Python Zitron, from the current stable that they offer.
While Caelin was being diplomatic, I think that in the end, he will agree with me. One other consideration, (does the search for audio perfection ever end?!) you may want to use one of Shunyata's Cyclops power conditioners on your REF 75 amp. Having used this essential "cannot live without it" device on several of my power amplifiers, I can tell you that the results are absolutely jaw dropping on every one of them.
You don't know what you are missing until you hear it for yourself. Go slow, live with your new amp. Let it break in, and then borrow some Shunyata power cords and a conditioner from your dealer. Listen for yourself! Have fun and enjoy that beautiful new REF 75 amplifier!

Thanks for your feedback, and the others who posted in this thread.

I will go slow, but no Shunyata products are on my radar screen.