Power cords

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
Staff member
Joined
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Messages
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Location
Sarasota, FL
Since we're on the topic of power, I just sold 9 WW silver Electra power cords. I'm back to the stock cords. I'm looking for suggestions on the best bang for the buck power cords. My friend is recommending the Tara Labs. I'm kind of thinking of PC's in the $300 range. Thoughts?
 
Talk to Jeff. The Furutech ones he makes are as good. They look sharp, too.
 
I have had multiples of the VH style cables and they have always exceeded my expectations.
Flavor 4 is great bang for buck.

The Kimber PK10's listed for sale here are very, very nice also.
I used to buy them real long and cut them up into multiples trying different connectors.:D

I really liked the Kimbers for the money.
 
Twisted said:
I have had multiples of the VH style cables and they have always exceeded my expectations.
Flavor 4 is great bang for buck.

The Kimber PK10's listed for sale here are very, very nice also.
I used to buy them real long and cut them up into multiples trying different connectors.:D

I really liked Kimbers for the money.
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Thanks.
 
-E- said:
Talk to Jeff. The Furutech ones he makes are as good. They look sharp, too.
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+1 - that would be my choice also from a recommendation standpoint. I will be trying out Jeff's cables again in my system at some point.

Another option to try out in that price range is the LAT International AC2 MK II - best "bang for the buck" cables I have found to date: L A T International, Inc. - Power Cords

They offer a 45 day trial period on all of their cables.
 
Triode Wire Labs - the 10 and 7 are tremendous for the price. Your inquiry might get more attention in the Cables circle.

Who is Jeff?
 
For power cables, not having heard Jeff's products yet, I would try Shunyata and/or Ansuz. But it really depends on the gear and your taste, especially if you may be looking at a full loom at some point.

Jeff Whitlock is a frequent poster here and may be the most helpful dealer in high-end audio. Incredibly gracious and generous with both his time and his advice. His prices are also very reasonable.

Home Page
 
-E- said:
Talk to Jeff. The Furutech ones he makes are as good. They look sharp, too.
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Yep Furutech is great.
I am into the Audioquest power cords now. They perform miracles!!
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Of course make sure that you also upgrade the wall outlet and the in-wall cabling as well as the fuse in the utility closet and if you can cheat bypass the earth leak switch....
 
Mike,

Two questions. First, what specific components will you be attaching these new cords to? Second, what kind of aural flavoring are you going for?
 
Zero said:
Mike,

Two questions. First, what specific components will you be attaching these new cords to? Second, what kind of aural flavoring are you going for?
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Zero - this is an old thread. Not sure why it was dug up. I'm going all Shunyata Alpha power cords.
 
wisnon said:
Yes, Triode and Harmonics Tech and Swiss cables.
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From the 2013 Absolute Sound Guide review of the Harmonic Tech, it doesn't appear to compare with the Triodes and is $170 more than the Triode 10 (from my own testing in two different systems, the Triode 10 is noticeably better than the Shunyata Venom 3, which was among the two or three most preferred in that review of 13 cords). I hadn't heard of Swiss and a search for reviews doesn't turn up anything (your own plaudits for the company notwithstanding). Its site doesn't show distributors yet, but as an import with a distribution chain it should come in well above the poster's price range (Swiss's European price list com shows the two pc models at 320/390E and 390/490E for 1m/1.75m). Triode and some of the other good quality U.S. brands in the $300's or less are direct buys from the developer and thus cut out the extra markup.
 
highstream said:
From the 2013 Absolute Sound Guide review of the Harmonic Tech, it doesn't appear to compare with the Triodes and is $170 more than the Triode 10 (from my own testing in two different systems, the Triode 10 is noticeably better than the Shunyata Venom 3, which was among the two or three most preferred in that review of 13 cords). I hadn't heard of Swiss and a search for reviews doesn't turn up anything (your own plaudits for the company notwithstanding). Its site doesn't show distributors yet, but as an import with a distribution chain it should come in well above the poster's price range (Swiss's European price list com shows the two pc models at 320/390E and 390/490E for 1m/1.75m). Triode and some of the other good quality U.S. brands in the $300's or less are direct buys from the developer and thus cut out the extra markup.
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If you are going to do a comparison, how about apples to apples. Try the 25% cheaper VENOM-HC for the comparison as it is closest to the price of the Triode 10.

Triode 10 6ft. = $399

VENOM-3 1.50M = $150
VENOM-HC 1.75M = $295


Caelin Gabriel
President
Shunyata Research
 
Caelin,

Triode 10+ = up to 5' = $349 (was $329 two weeks ago), which is what Pete suggested for my system vs. his 12+.

The Venom 3 (5') was what your own staff (email unsigned) suggested for my desktop system: computer cord, Focal CMS 40 powered speakers. In fact, the email said, "Venom 3 $150 (recommended), Venom 3 HC $295 (more than you likely need :)." Absolute Sound's positive review used the Venom 3 on a far more demanding Audio Research amplifier (and CD player). Did you object to that?

The Venom 3 is a good cord - I have three - may end up leaving one in my 2.0 TV system. Between two systems, what I've found that it sonically emphasizes what I call "sound" - soundstage, transparency, imaging - over accurate tonality and timbre, the latter being my first priority, especially in a desktop system. Every cable is a trade off at a given price range, and so at $150 I can appreciate the apparent choices made. I've noticed that Venom 3 buyers, having a taste, often move up in your product line. I realized that to get what I want would take something at least in the price range similar to the poster's, which is well below your next step. That led to looking at artisan developers and so far finding a (very) few standouts.
 
highstream said:
From the 2013 Absolute Sound Guide review of the Harmonic Tech, it doesn't appear to compare with the Triodes and is $170 more than the Triode 10 (from my own testing in two different systems, the Triode 10 is noticeably better than the Shunyata Venom 3, which was among the two or three most preferred in that review of 13 cords). I hadn't heard of Swiss and a search for reviews doesn't turn up anything (your own plaudits for the company notwithstanding). Its site doesn't show distributors yet, but as an import with a distribution chain it should come in well above the poster's price range (Swiss's European price list com shows the two pc models at 320/390E and 390/490E for 1m/1.75m). Triode and some of the other good quality U.S. brands in the $300's or less are direct buys from the developer and thus cut out the extra markup.
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Those are RETAIL prices and would be comparable in the USA. Dealer prices would not be public and would be a lot less.

MonoandStereo did a review and there is another factory visit/review linked to their site and I hear German heavyweight ones are forthcoming. So you dont have to take my plaudits for them…infact, I didnt do any plaudits, if you look carefully..
 
Retail you're right, but at least add in transportation costs across the Atlantic, if not to dealers in the U.S., all of which always gets tacked on. But even at European retail and assuming those prices are exclusive of VAT (not mentioned), convert to dollars to see the difference. Even for just one meter - the Triodes and some others come 1.5m - 320E = $438 at market rates (if those include VAT, then prices will be comparable). The MonoandStereo piece is a very general listening synopsis of Swiss cables and gives no indication that the reviewer isolated different cords/cables in his system(s) or compared them with his other power cords for reference. That's a big deal in reviewing. I'm not suggesting Swiss aren't what you heard at their offices/factory, but only that there haven't been serious independent reviews yet and it's fair to guess that the lowest cost 1m model will come in well over $400, when it arrives in the U.S.
 
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