Transparent Reference MM2x Power Cords

[Still-One]

I brought home two of Transparent's new top of the line Powerlink Reference MM2x power cords for a three day audition this past weekend. Transparent upgraded and reduced by one the number of power cords in their Reference Line.
Previously the Reference line consisted of:
Reference MM (top)
Reference XL
Reference (this is what I currently use on all my gear)

New Line-up
Powerlink MM2x
Reference Powerlink

The most significant visual difference is in the size of the network box. The MM2x box is significantly larger than the older units and according to Transparent has allowed them to better implement their technology. It also makes the cables harder to work with and would be really difficult to use on my pre-amp and source components.

Just a bit of background on my set up. I have three separate 20 amp lines running to my 2-channel room. One for each amp and one for all other gear. Each amp is connected to its own Power Plant Premier via a short (flexible) Analysis Plus power cord. The PPP's are connected to the wall with my Transparent Reference power cords.

For the first hour of listening I just swapped the MM2x's for my Reference cables keeping the PPP's in the loop. The change was not dramatic but I heard a bit better bass response.

I then removed the PPP's out of the loop completely and powered the 1.2ks directly with the MM2x's and current cables. For the next two days I swapped the two sets of cables back and forth. Without the PPP's it was easier to hear the improvement in both bass and vocals when the newer MM2x's were in the loop. Again, it was not dramatic but noticeable if you listened closely.

For the last half day of listening I reconnected the PPP's. Again, having the PPP's in the loop made it more difficult but not impossible to hear the differences. This could be in part to my unwillingness to visually deal with 1 or 2 meter power cords in lieu of the Analysis Plus cables connecting the PPP's to the 1.2ks.

Overall I think the MM2x's connected directly to the 1.2ks sounded the best, but I am not sure that I want to lose the power stabilization capabilities of the Power Plant Premiers. Yet with the PPP's in the loop the gains were marginal. (One note, these cables were brand new and not broken in so further gains might have been heard down the road.) I am just not sure that I am willing to pay that much more for the improvement I heard.

The door is not closed, just looking at my options.

Jim

[Still-One]

Well, I have decided to give the MM2x's another audition. Sometimes you may not miss something until it is out of your system. The last few days I felt something was not quite the same so I contacted my dealer and asked if I could do a more extended trial and see what some additional break-in time will do to the power cords.

I picked them back up last evening and will be putting them back into the loop today.

Jim

[Masterlu]

Keep us posted Jim... always interesting to hear how cables affect our hobby.

[SuperD]

Jim,
I am still in the process of balancing my system that I just recently setup. I have the Transparent's Super IC & SC. In your experience, how long is the break-in process? I think they sound great now, but i'm always hoping for improvement. Thanks in advance! BTW I love your listening room!

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Jim,
I am still in the process of balancing my system that I just recently setup. I have the Transparent's Super IC & SC. In your experience, how long is the break-in process? I think they sound great now, but i'm always hoping for improvement. Thanks in advance! BTW I love your listening room!

Thanks for the compliment. The GIK panels really helped both sonically and visually.

I would have to say after about three weeks of pretty heavy listening that I stopped noticing any changes. My power cords, speaker cables and interconnects were all purchased at different times so it is hard to say for sure.

Jim

[SuperD]

Jim,
Did you start with Ultra and Reference or use Transparent's upgrade option?

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Jim,
Did you start with Ultra and Reference or use Transparent's upgrade option?

It was a mixed bag for me.
My power cords were always Reference.
When I switched to Transparent speaker cable I went right to Ultra MM2.
My 25' balanced interconnects from pre to amps are Ultra MM1 (possible next change)
My balanced interconnects from CD to pre-amp were Ultra MM2 but were changed to Reference MM2 when I purchased the MCD-1100.

I believe I did use the upgrade when I went to the Reference MM2 interconnects.

Jim

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by Still-One

It was a mixed for me.
My power cords were always Reference.
When I switched to Transparent speaker cable I went right to Ultra MM2.
My 25' balanced interconnects from pre to amps are Ultra MM1 (possible next change)
My balanced interconnects from CD to pre-amp were Ultra MM2 but were changed to Reference MM2 when I purchased the MCD-1100.

I believe I did use the upgrade when I went to the Reference MM2 interconnects.

Jim

AWESOME! Someday i'll get there

[Still-One]

Well that didn't take long. I am keeping the Transparent Powerlink MM2x's for my amps. Trading up from my Reference Powerlinks.

I do wish they were a bit more flexible so they would lay flat and it would make it easier to try them on some of my sources.

Jim

[SRT-10 Viper]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Well that didn't take long. I am keeping the Transparent Powerlink MM2x's for my amps. Trading up from my Reference Powerlinks.

I do wish they were a bit more flexible so they would lay flat and it would make it easier to try them on some of my sources.

Jim

Jim; How about some pictures of the new cables... I might be interested in them too.