AudioQuest Niagra and Storm Power Cable Review

All depends on the system. AQ silver seems smoooooth to my ears, unlike some silver cables.


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Mike, you are dead on. There are a lot of reasons for Silver getting a bad rap. When silver is slowly drawn and properly produced, it will be smooth, highly detailed and have a much lower noise floor. I think it may be due to the larger grain size, but am not 100% on that. It makes sense though.


Mike have you ever heard Silver Cloud vs Tornado or Hurricane? Just curious. I have Quatro's as you know, so I'll be wanting either Blizzard or possibly Thunder or Tornado most probably. I know that silver would be lose on the bass only amp. Even Richard V said as much.
 
From my experience, particularly with interconnects, AQ silver is smooth, crisp, and transparent. The higher up you go in the line the more neutral they are, meaning if your system is bright it will show just that. I was actually surprised comparing the Fire interconnect cables vs. WEL, the Fires were actually on the warmer side. I can imagine you get the same with the power cables.
 
eziggy said:
From my experience, particularly with interconnects, AQ silver is smooth, crisp, and transparent. The higher up you go in the line the more neutral they are, meaning if your system is bright it will show just that. I was actually surprised comparing the Fire interconnect cables vs. WEL, the Fires were actually on the warmer side. I can imagine you get the same with the power cables.
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From what I hear, you are correct in that everything gets better and better the higher up you go. Neutral as heck compared to all the other cables folks have brought to the house to hear. I own the WEL balanced from The memory Player server/DAC into my Ayre AX5/20 and it was a system revelation. I was blessed to be able to get the cable (used from a friend who really helped me out). It's one reason I am hesitant to go with mono blocks (that plus space concerned, lol). The more you have invested in cable, the more difficult it is to change configuration or move the system around the room, lol..
 
I have the WEL XLRs too and I couldn't be more happy. But I'd say that WELs are more balanced sounding than the Fires! Just my 2 cents.
 
Hey Guys, just found this thread. I am a big fan of Nordost Cables. Primarily have the Odin 2/Odin 1 power cables.

I read Mike's post about the blind testing with a variety of power cables. And the Audioquest was the clear winner. Just wanted to see which ones from AQ were used. AND I know this thread is 2 years old but what did they find -what sonic attributes did the AQ exhibit over the others?

The Odin power cables are detailed & yet not forward. IN my system they just make the soundstage come alive and multilayered.

I still need to get a few more and this has my interest.
 
Timobi said:
Hey Guys, just found this thread. I am a big fan of Nordost Cables. Primarily have the Odin 2/Odin 1 power cables.

I read Mike's post about the blind testing with a variety of power cables. And the Audioquest was the clear winner. Just wanted to see which ones from AQ were used. AND I know this thread is 2 years old but what did they find -what sonic attributes did the AQ exhibit over the others?

The Odin power cables are detailed & yet not forward. IN my system they just make the soundstage come alive and multilayered.

I still need to get a few more and this has my interest.
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I have had the Odin wires in my system. I had my own Hurricanes for cords and I used my WEL balanced interconnect. The ethernet was Wireworld Series 7 (2 pair) with a. special hospital grade ethernet filter that I've ended up purchasing and using. The power is through the inexpensive Niagara 1000. The Niagara was plugged into my AQ outlet. I have 4 dedicated, same length wires running to their own breakers that are separately grounded using very very long copper rods into the ground. Square D are the basic breakers and box used. The runs are up to the loft (2nd level) and are about 15' in total length based on where the box is located as it's fairly high on the basement wall.

We played for weeks with Odin vs all AQ. I didn't have any desire to used different companies cables/cords in the system. Odin was tipped up on the high end and it gave it a 'sense' of larger stage etc.., but in reality they were a bit bright (not as bright as some others). They just weren't balanced like the AQ wires are. They are outstanding wires, don't' get me wrong, but I am one of those who has always been bothered by wires that are tipped up on top. MANY are as it's a compromise that designers go with. I have the same issue with many speakers on the market too.

We all have hot buttons with compromises. I also hate speakers/systems that aren't coherent from top to bottom. If a system is too bass heavy or mid centric or tipped up on top, I can't listen to it. I'm bored quickly or fatigued fairly quickly (1 hr at the most).

I say all of this to qualify my thoughts. Over the course of time I had the wires in, there were many who listened at various times. Not once did the Nordost win out. Some of the speakers guys used who listened were Wilson, Magico, Focal,Revel, Rockport Lyra's, Vandersteen, Dynaudio, Avalon (Times), PSB, Paradigm, Meridian, B&W, Maggies, Pro Ac and a few more lesser known brands. Ears were all over the board and I believe most normally LOVE a tipped up treble and or 'pounding bass'.

I did notice that up front many would chose the Nordost, but after the second time through of switching (not scientific, but it was blind so they didn't know what they were listening to) they all chose the AQ wires. When we looked at the results they all said that (we just used A loom or B loom to discuss) they realized that the AQ loom was more natural in presentation, sounded best on all music choices, was probably even more extended overall, but since it wasn't bright (nor was it warm), they wanted to listen longer and the piano, triangle and cymbals all sounded more realistic.

They all liked the Odin a lot, so it's nothing against them. They just felt the AQ were much more realistic and gave more micro and macro detail. The noise floor was a lot lower with AQ and that's why they gave so much detail and why you could hear placement a bit better etc... Garth has just nailed things. I can't wait to hear what his new line of interconnects will sound like.

When I met him (I got to hear the prototypes of the cords as well as his Niagara's (7000 and 1000) I was blown away. He's just such a passionate guy. He loves music as much as gear and he's very nice. Few are able to make technical talk understandable to the masses. He can do that. There are many in the industry who I like and also respect. I don't necessarily love or even like in some cases, their gear. We all hear differently. Mike sells and has sold so many wires over the years. He's by FAR the best adn most equipped on this board to properly answer. HE gets feedback from a wider range of customers.
 
Ctsooner said:
I have had the Odin wires in my system. I had my own Hurricanes for cords and I used my WEL balanced interconnect. The ethernet was Wireworld Series 7 (2 pair) with a. special hospital grade ethernet filter that I've ended up purchasing and using. The power is through the inexpensive Niagara 1000. The Niagara was plugged into my AQ outlet. I have 4 dedicated, same length wires running to their own breakers that are separately grounded using very very long copper rods into the ground. Square D are the basic breakers and box used. The runs are up to the loft (2nd level) and are about 15' in total length based on where the box is located as it's fairly high on the basement wall.

We played for weeks with Odin vs all AQ. I didn't have any desire to used different companies cables/cords in the system. Odin was tipped up on the high end and it gave it a 'sense' of larger stage etc.., but in reality they were a bit bright (not as bright as some others). They just weren't balanced like the AQ wires are. They are outstanding wires, don't' get me wrong, but I am one of those who has always been bothered by wires that are tipped up on top. MANY are as it's a compromise that designers go with. I have the same issue with many speakers on the market too.

We all have hot buttons with compromises. I also hate speakers/systems that aren't coherent from top to bottom. If a system is too bass heavy or mid centric or tipped up on top, I can't listen to it. I'm bored quickly or fatigued fairly quickly (1 hr at the most).

I say all of this to qualify my thoughts. Over the course of time I had the wires in, there were many who listened at various times. Not once did the Nordost win out. Some of the speakers guys used who listened were Wilson, Magico, Focal,Revel, Rockport Lyra's, Vandersteen, Dynaudio, Avalon (Times), PSB, Paradigm, Meridian, B&W, Maggies, Pro Ac and a few more lesser known brands. Ears were all over the board and I believe most normally LOVE a tipped up treble and or 'pounding bass'.

I did notice that up front many would chose the Nordost, but after the second time through of switching (not scientific, but it was blind so they didn't know what they were listening to) they all chose the AQ wires. When we looked at the results they all said that (we just used A loom or B loom to discuss) they realized that the AQ loom was more natural in presentation, sounded best on all music choices, was probably even more extended overall, but since it wasn't bright (nor was it warm), they wanted to listen longer and the piano, triangle and cymbals all sounded more realistic.

They all liked the Odin a lot, so it's nothing against them. They just felt the AQ were much more realistic and gave more micro and macro detail. The noise floor was a lot lower with AQ and that's why they gave so much detail and why you could hear placement a bit better etc... Garth has just nailed things. I can't wait to hear what his new line of interconnects will sound like.

When I met him (I got to hear the prototypes of the cords as well as his Niagara's (7000 and 1000) I was blown away. He's just such a passionate guy. He loves music as much as gear and he's very nice. Few are able to make technical talk understandable to the masses. He can do that. There are many in the industry who I like and also respect. I don't necessarily love or even like in some cases, their gear. We all hear differently. Mike sells and has sold so many wires over the years. He's by FAR the best adn most equipped on this board to properly answer. HE gets feedback from a wider range of customers.
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Hi Ctsooner.

Which version of the Nordost Odin did you use in your testing? Odin1 or Odin2?

Thanks


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Hello all, I am also interested in Mike s opinion on the Silver Cloud vs Hurricane Source (to use on Halcro preamp in my case)
I have been discussing the amazing Storm and Wind series with my friend Ctsooner for some time now (much obliged for your kind and elaborate replies again btw @ Ctsooner) and almost ready to make the jump ;)
I borrowed a Tornado Source and Tornado High current from a friend, I put the Tornado Hc on the powerbar feeding all the source components and pre, and the Tornado Source on the Halcro dm10 preamp. I am happy with the added resolution and dynamics, but when I substitute the Tornado Source with a Wireworld Silver Electra on the preamp, I notice the highs are more extended and sweeter, this is also noticable on female vocals... Resolution and dynamics go down some notches with the Silver Electra however...
@Mike, which cable would you recommend to combine the strengths of both cables on the pre: resolution, dynamics and sweetness and extended silky highs? My friend Ct recommended the Hurricane Source over the Silver Cloud, for better top to bottom coherence... What is your take on this, given that the Silver Cloud seems like a poor men’s Firebird without the special construction and thicker concentric wires, yet still more expensive then a Hurricane Source? Any special magic (silver :)) in that cord over the Hurricane Source?
I would go Tornado HC on the power amps for budget reasons, but on the power socket bar feeding the sources and pre I could put a Hurricane hc and a Hurricane source on pre, or alternatively I was thinking a Tornado HC to feed the power socket bar and a Silver Cloud on the preamp...
Thx for your advise! :)
 
Sorry, just saw this. never got an email saying there was a response. It was the Odin 2. They had just gotten them in and burned in. They also sell the AQ cables, but never stocked the high end ones as they like Transparent and Nordost more. After hearing my system, they started to sell more and more AQ cables and cords.
 
Welcome to the forum.


Blueskywalker said:
Hello all, I am also interested in Mike s opinion on the Silver Cloud vs Hurricane Source (to use on Halcro preamp in my case)
I have been discussing the amazing Storm and Wind series with my friend Ctsooner for some time now (much obliged for your kind and elaborate replies again btw @ Ctsooner) and almost ready to make the jump ;)
I borrowed a Tornado Source and Tornado High current from a friend, I put the Tornado Hc on the powerbar feeding all the source components and pre, and the Tornado Source on the Halcro dm10 preamp. I am happy with the added resolution and dynamics, but when I substitute the Tornado Source with a Wireworld Silver Electra on the preamp, I notice the highs are more extended and sweeter, this is also noticable on female vocals... Resolution and dynamics go down some notches with the Silver Electra however...
@Mike, which cable would you recommend to combine the strengths of both cables on the pre: resolution, dynamics and sweetness and extended silky highs? My friend Ct recommended the Hurricane Source over the Silver Cloud, for better top to bottom coherence... What is your take on this, given that the Silver Cloud seems like a poor men’s Firebird without the special construction and thicker concentric wires, yet still more expensive then a Hurricane Source? Any special magic (silver :)) in that cord over the Hurricane Source?
I would go Tornado HC on the power amps for budget reasons, but on the power socket bar feeding the sources and pre I could put a Hurricane hc and a Hurricane source on pre, or alternatively I was thinking a Tornado HC to feed the power socket bar and a Silver Cloud on the preamp...
Thx for your advise! :)
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Thx Joe! have been reading a lot on this forum, but never posted or registered here seems, funny! What quarantine isnt all good for :)
 
I"ve really enjoyed this site over the years. Folks are nice to each other and we all allow each other to give their opinions in a non threatening way. Mike will see this thread I'm sure (because im' going to let him know, lol)....no need for a new thread.
 
Blue, I have told you that Hurricane source is the way you want to go. Silver Cloud is a specialty type of cord. I'm not the only one who feels this way either I promise you that.
 
Specialty isn't the right word. I've heard it vs the Hurricane in my system. It possibly had a lower noise floor, but none of us could really tell. To my ears, it didn't seem to be as full in the bass as the Hurricane. It's a heck of a cord though.

If your system can produce bass below 40k, I would bet that the Hurricane would be a better choice, but electricity is similar to digital in that every house is different. It's why you must listen in your own system to really tell which one to get. There just isn't any way around that. I'm sure Mike and anyone else who puts systems together will tell you the same.

That said, I've never heard Dragon's to not be the best power cord I've ever heard in any system I've heard them in.
 
Ive been debating trying some Audioquest cables and I just cant get over how bulky and chunky the braided cables look. They must be a nightmare to run and route in 1M lengths. This is why the Silver Cloud appealed to me a little more.

But it also looks like the Silver Cloud cables are made overseas... correct me if I'm wrong and they make them in-house but general consensus is that any molded plug cables are overseas.
 
I was told molded plugs are overseas. I wouldn't worry too much about where the cords and cables are made as these are very special. If you do care, then you will want to look at the braided ones. Unless you are moving your system around a lot, I wouldn't worry about the braid. I have zero room behind my system, and I was able to route them all. They are very heavy though and you must make sure they are plugged in all the way as you have to for any other cable, lol. I also have an AQ socket which holds it in place and won't let go. I use plants around the room for acoustics anyways, so I hide the cords with small plants and it looks great as they are basically hidden.
 
I recommend doing the 2 meter length in the braided AQ cables. The 1 meter is really difficult to work with. I’ve attached a picture of my cables. The braided cables lay down pretty well if you have some extra length.
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Theres a fine balance between a cable being held securely by a socket and it being damaged by a socket. I have found the PS Audio and Torus sockets did damage to the blades on some of my previous power cords. That should not happen and Furutech sockets have a perfect balance of both grip and delicacy.

Also, cables that are too heavy or create too much tension can easily shift lighter components on a rack. So again, not good. But those are simply my experiences with some thick, heavy and stiff cables.
 
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