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MS Audio OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord terminated with Valab Sun Rhodium Plated Copper AC Connectors featuring CNC machine milled aluminum AC connector shells (2 meter).
The look of the MS Audio OCC power cord is the opposite of the usual theater black audiophile power cord. It has a vibrant yet classy look to my eye, with a shiny open weave silver colored braided sleeve over a neutral gray colored jacket. The braided sleeve is non-conductive as tested with a multimeter, so the sleeve only seems to be a cosmetic covering that complements the beautifully CNC machine milled aluminum AC connector shells. The manufacturing of the aluminum shells looks excellently done from a visual perspective, and the brightly plated rhodium over copper AC plug blades are only missing the perfectly executed polishing of an Oyaide AC plug in order to be more visually impressive. An ambition to replicate the SOTA is an obvious effort per the design. Whether or not this is actually achieved is up for debate, but when it comes to the sonic offerings of this particular product, “the proof is in the pudding” should not be denied, at least from a subjective listener’s POV.
Since I’ve been upgrading and listening to my computer audio system for long periods of time from both critical listening and background listening perspectives, I decided to first try the new MS Audio OCC power cord in the computer system for preliminary burn-in and evaluation as placed on a vintage Audio Alchemy Power Station Two outboard power supply that feeds an Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0 DAC, temporarily replacing a DIY VH Audio Flavor 2 power cord (unshielded twisted pair implementing 10 AWG SPC/PTFE Teflon ground wire) terminated with Oyaide P-079 gold AC plug and Oyaide C-079 gold IEC connector, covered with Techflex PET sleeving (6 foot), with a Highwire Audio Power Wrap (0.375" diameter version) positioned at center of cable. The tonal bloom and warmth of the Flavor 2 terminated with Oyaide 079s actually provides better synergy with the vintage Audio Alchemy gear, so it was an interesting process to evaluate the MS Audio OCC Copper Power Cord when placed on equipment that makes clear what's happening in ways that are not euphonic so as to not be influenced by audiophile glamour at the beginning of the evaluation process. I also planned to try the power cord in my main audio system as placed on a Museatex Melior Bitstream D/A Converter (classic Ed Meitner design) and then placed on a Theta Digital Pearl CD Transport, and to also give it a go on a Motorola DCT2224 digital cable television terminal.
The first audible impression of the MS Audio OCC power cord was that it presented a notable amount of bell-like upper mid and high frequency energy without sounding bright except for a slightly dry “new cable sound” that stepped on an otherwise smooth gestalt. I’ve observed a similar effect when plated AC connectors and outlets have not seen adequate burn-in time, and found that the excited sounding energy tends to calm down after a period of burn-in, sometimes taking a number of weeks to satisfactorily relax. As such, it seemed apparent that plenty of burn-in time was required before I could really get a proper handle on a serious evaluation. However, even at this early stage the openness of the midband and lack of coloration from top to bottom including tight and tuneful bass was impressive, with a completely neutral sonic signature with no tonal bloom, yet not lean sounding from a subjective point of view. A remarkably quiet noise floor was readily apparent to my ear and I became most pleased with this evaluation throughout the first listening session. Soundstaging, imaging, and dynamics came across as excellent, with plenty of macro and micro listening cues to observe. A vivid sounding sonic signature and the impression of a promising level of even greater finesse made it a potential winner in my book, but I had to exercise patience. Yes, the obvious matter at hand was simply to allow ample burn-in time in order to find out if the power cord would develop a more authoritative bottom end, a more relaxed top end, and even greater finesse in portraying various audiophile listening cues. At any rate, the evaluation process was off to a very good start, so much so that I decided to purchase another one, even before a full evaluation of the first one was complete in order to place one on my main audio system DAC and the other one placed on my main audio system CD transport for a mutual digital application within that particular digital front end.
After several days of burn-in I went ahead and placed the first power cord on a Museatex Melior Bitstream D/A Converter (classic Ed Meitner design) in the digital front end of my main audio system, and found that the stellar low noise floor of the power cord was again readily apparent to my ear. I tended to gather my attention towards this aspect as a reference point throughout the initial listening sessions. I went on to find that the greatest strength of the MS Audio OCC power cord may be it’s very tightly focused presentation, most importantly done without making the presentation sound thin and spiritless, however with a sheer lack of tonal bloom imparted by the power cord it took a bit of pondering to get over since a strict level of discipline within the soundstage brought nothing in the way of comfort-zone euphonics to attach the listening ear to. This is not to say that everything became analytically sterile as a result, it’s just that a WYSIWYG aspect had to be acknowledged and appreciated as something desirable. That’s often a good thing from a purist POV, but not always from a an individualized system tuning POV. No gloss ‘n sheen with just the facts jack can be a mighty fine thing when well recorded music is played-back via an audiophile quality sound system. A rock solid soundstage requires a firm grip on image focus in order to complete the picture, and this power cord does present that aspect very definitively to my ear. I’ll go on to say that as mentioned by Valab, there does seem to be a goodly amount of cable-borne vibration control involved in this build in order to be so focused sounding, and the CNC machine milled AC connectors would also seem to be a contributory factor in this regard. In some applications and by some listeners this listening aspect may seem to sound ruthless, but I don’t foresee real issues concerning the matter other than folks actually seriously considering the usual YMMV when it comes to selecting various power cords and audio cables selected for use in specific audio systems.
When the second MS Audio OCC power cord arrived, I decided to first place it in the computer audio system again for a first evaluation recap, and was even more initially impressed by its open sounding clarity, low noise floor, and rather interestingly a notably less excited sounding upper frequency energy than I had initially observed from the first one. Its placement in the computer audio system lasted for only a few hours before I had to give it a go as planned on a Theta Digital Pearl CD transport in my main system in hopes of finding synergistic performance along with the first MS Audio OCC power cord feeding my main system Museatex Melior Bitstream DAC. Indeed, and with only a few hours of burn-in and no time to even settle into the system, the second MS Audio OCC power cord when placed on the CD transport tossed up a highly articulated, airy soundstage presentation with bell-like treble that was as good as (or even better if such a distinction can be made) than I’d hoped for. Dynamics were quite impressive. Most surprising was how authoritative the bottom end sounded without burn-in. As such, another 400 hour mark countdown was entered into my Apple computer timer application to find out if the second MS Audio OCC power cord would also develop even better performance after ample burn-in time. With both power cords going through an extended burn-in process things could only get better with time. Eventually, I found this particular matter to indeed be true as the presentation opened-up even more, the slightly dry “new cable sound” matured into greater liquidity, and the reward is that both power cords are now happily doing duty within the digital front end of my main audio system. The performance level of this moderate-cost power cord is that good to my ear, at least for digital applications, IME.
Due to a sheer lack of tonal bloom, and for a solid state system like mine, I would advise a nominally warm sounding gold plated audio grade AC outlet such as the classic Wattgate Audio Grade Gold 381 AC outlet that I use for my digital front end (and perhaps a gold Furutech IEC inlet if wanted/needed) be selected to mate with this cooler side of neutral sounding rhodium plated copper AC connector terminated power cord for a more synergistic level of balanced tonal bloom. Otherwise, in my opinion neutral to warm sounding systems should greatly benefit from this vivid sounding power cord. All things considered, it may even find synergy within a clinically analytic sounding system. Again, your mileage may vary (subjective evaluation disclaimer clearly stated).
The fast sounding transparency of this Taiwanese product is very admirable and I consider it to be on par with the reputation of Japanese power cord products if not superior to some. In fact, I found its performance to be superior to a well regarded aftermarket audiophile power cord costing several times the price. This is a rather remarkable finding based on the very modest price point of the product. Furthermore, the presentation of the power cord complements a recent premium VH Audio Pulsar Ag OCC silver digital cable terminated with WBT-0102 Ag NextGen silver rca connectors (1.5 meter) upgrade of which I find to be a supremely transparent performer that’s served perfectly well by the two MS Audio OCC power cords feeding that digital front end. At any rate, I certainly did get the proverbial big bang for the buck from this device (a tired cliché, I know), but I do like it very much and can recommend it, at least for digital applications as long as tonal bloom/warmth is not a desirable thing sought from a power cord for a listener’s particular wants/needs.
BTW, it took less than a week from the date of my PayPal purchases for the products to be delivered from Taiwan to the USA via registered USPS Express Mail International ($10). No tax or duties.
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After swapping out the mentioned Wattgate Audio Grade Gold AC outlet with a gold Oyaide SWO-GX AC outlet, I find that the combo provides an excellent synergistic match to my ear. The lush warmth and fullness of the gold Oyaide SWO-GX AC outlet compliments the stark neutrality of MS Audio OCC power cord in a fine manner. The particular mating presents a big fat punchy bottom end and substantially greater liquidity with a tube-like bloom that's neither too wet nor too dry.
Also installing a gold Furutech FI-10(G) IEC inlet took the gestalt in a warmer direction than what a rhodium Furutech FI-10(R) IEC inlet provided, but with the rich sounding gold Oyaide SWO-GX AC outlet now in place, I will either go back to using a rhodium IEC inlet or more likely obtain a new Oyaide Power Inlet R IEC inlet featuring platinum and palladium plated phosphor bronze contacts to mate with the MS Audio OCC power cord.
Cheers, Duster
The lush warmth of the gold Oyaide SWO-GX AC outlet simply became too much of a good thing (too rich) after further listening. The liquid sounding sonic signature had great merit, but my attention was drawn too often to what I considered to be an affected presentation. While leaner and drier sounding than the gold Oyaide SWO-GX AC outlet, the more neutral Wattgate Audio Grade Gold 381 AC outlet presents greater transparency to my ear in this particular application.
Duster, thanks for the thorough review.
In addition to bartc's question, how is the cable's micro- and macro-dynamics performance when it's feeding an amplifier?
I'd also appreciate knowing what "a well regarded aftermarket audiophile power cord costing several times the price" is.
___
Boycott Monster Cable
My power amplifier power cord is a VH Audio AirSine terminated with a Wattgate Audio Grade Gold 330i AC plug which presents a great deal of tonal bloom which is furthermore plugged into a Wattgate Audio Grade Silver 381 Ag AC outlet which presents very little tonal bloom which is definitely (in my experience) an incompatible match with the Valab Sun Rhodium Plated Copper AC plug (too edgy sounding). As such, a fair evaluation of the MS Audio OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord for power amplifier use is not possible as placed in my particular audio system. Martythomas mentioned that he will try it on his power amplifier, so stay tuned for his findings.
For discretionary reasons I shan't tell the name of the particular well regarded aftermarket audiophile power cord costing several times the price, but I will mention that I find the MS Audio OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord to be clearly preferable to a few more times the price single crystal Furutech FP-3TS20 power cord terminated with Oyaide 046 AC connectors when placed on my particular digital gear.
Duster, I realize you like this new company's products, first the plugs and now the cord. But I didn't see anything comparing your formally fave of the 079 and teflon Flavor 2 with this new cord, just a description of the new one's sound. Can you enlighten us by comparison?
Also, do you have any way to attribute the effect of the plugs vs. the cable in the Valab?
If I read it correctly, Duster states that the Flavor 2 has a bloom and the Valab has no bloom at all with a dry treble. I have the same Valab cord with over 400 hours burn in time. I am using a Merdian 808 CD player with a VH Flavor 2 cord with Oyaide P079 and C079 connectors, the Preamplifier is a BAT32SE and a 55SE amplifier. I replaced the cord on the CD player with the Valab and got approx the same sound as Duster. The Flavor 2 has lots of bloom with a huge sound stage and the Valab has less bloom with a slightly smaller sound stage, although it does have a little bloom probably because of the tubes. The treble is dry with a slight amount of fine grain.
I liked the Flavor 2 better, although I would like a little less bloom. The Flavor 2 replaced a Shunyata Python that was real warm and had a grainey treble. I now have the Valab feeding my Shunyata Hydra 8 from the wall socket, this looks like it will be a better match as it has reduced the bloom slightly. Previously I had a Shunyata Python and a VH Flavor 4 on the Hydra, the system sound was on the warm side.
connectors with something less bloomy I would say. I do find 079 series to be too warm and bloomy, and perhaps the Rhodium or OCC copper connectors would be better fit.
I did read Duster's review, but didn't get that definitive "up or down" question answered. I know how much he likes the Oyaides, as do I. I've followed his advice on those. So the real question is: in what places if any is this Valab reasonably equal or better than the Oyaide/Flavor combos? If it's just a lateral move with different compromises, or if it's not as good overall, then it's not of great interest to me. Sure, it's cheaper! Is that enough? Only for an upgrade from stock in my book. But I'm seeking the answer from those of you I trust before leaping into buying.
It's more likely that I'd try the terminations first on Flavor cords, which Duster didn't cover in this review that I can see. He did hint earlier in posts that the Valab terminations looked and sounded good to him for the $.
"Sure, it's cheaper! Is that enough? Only for an upgrade from stock in my book."
bartc, I'm surprised that you may think I would put so much effort into a report about gear that could be so mundane...
Cheers, Duster
Just trying to get to the bottom of my basic questions:
1) Would you trade this for the Oyaides?
2) Would you trade this for the Flavors?
Obviously you did.
nt
I don't want to remove the connectors to try a comparison, probably not worth it. I am going to try it on my amplifier next where I am using a Flavor 4 with Furutech rhodium connectors, this also replaced a Shunyata with excellent results.
Marty, I've been looking for a reasonably priced power cable for my amp and am considering the Flavor 4 (besides the MAC HC). From your post, I am assuming you're happy with Flavor 4. Could you please share the sound characteristics you've heard with this cord? Thanks!
I am a fan of the Flavor 4, I have used them on amplifiers in the past. This cord was on Audiogon with Furutech Rhodium connectors, which I have not used in the past. The sound is not quite as warm as the Flavor 4's with Oyaide connectors, but it has the deep bass response that I like and a slightly brighter treble. It just turned out to be a good match with my BAT 55SE amplifier, it has been on there for the last 2 years.
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