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Model: | MagicPower Digital AC Cord HC |
Category: | Cable |
Suggested Retail Price: | $70 and up |
Description: | High current AC power cord for digital sources |
Manufacturer URL: | Signal Cable |
Model Picture: | View |
Review by photomensch (A) on September 08, 2004 at 09:56:27 IP Address: 207.140.148.33 | Add Your Review for the MagicPower Digital AC Cord HC |
Summary
It's been my opinion that you typically get what you pay for. So it's especially exciting when a product comes along that actually delivers more than what you pay for. Such is the case with the MagicPower Digital AC Cord HC.Comment
I recently decided to upgrade the AC power cord for my Sony DVP-S9000ES SACD/CD/DVD player. But when my faithful purveyor of high end audio gear quoted me about $300 for a new JPS power cord I became somewhat dismayed. As a result, I decided to look for a used cord on Audiogon and accidentally came across an ad for Signal Cable, which included an assortment of impressive reviews from customers. Given that the price for what I needed was only $70, I decided to take a chance and place an order.After a few days of listening I've come to the conclusion that my new cord isn't a tweak - it's a necesity. I can't believe the increase in performance of what I already thought was a high performance SACD/CD player. Bass response is improved and has more weight. At the same time the sound is more relaxed and less "CD-like." Midrange and room ambience have also improved.
If you have any doubts, listen to Fanfare for the Common Man on the Reference Recordings CD, Out of Sight on the Concord SACD, and the CD of Eva Cassidy Live at Blues Alley - to name just a few.
Conclusion
There are plenty of AC cords and boutique upgrades available costing hundreds of dollars. But if you want to get the most from your CD, SACD or DVD-A player, start by getting a Signal Cable digital power cord. You might forget about those upgrades and find you'll have plenty of money left over for music ware.
Product Weakness: | Very stiff cable and long IEC connector. Make sure you have room and maneuverability to install. |
Product Strengths: | High performance- low price tag. |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | AES Cary Six Pacs |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Belles 21A |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Sony DVP-S9000ES/Rega P3 with Elys cartridge |
Speakers: | Merlin VSM-M |
Cables/Interconnects: | JPS speaker cable/DH Labs BL-1 ICs |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz, classical, female vocalists |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 18 x 12 x 10 |
Room Comments/Treatments: | Drapes and carpeting |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | One week |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
I do experience a satisfying margin of improvement to my Marantz 8260 SACD player over the stock cord. All I can say is it worth every penny I spend. I am very sceptical about the Mega buck power cord. This cord makes me believe that a "serious stuff" does come at a reasonable price.
This is what I feel:
This cord provides me with tighter and more believable dynamic. The image also improve with greater resolution. For vocal, it yields a greater dimension of the performer (please forgive me if my terminology is wrong since I am not a professional reviewer).Actually I listen to my Linn at 70% of my time, but now I come back to listen to my CD more often.
It make me forget about my gear just listen to music:) I basically listen to Jazz, Female vocal, and some classic (if in the mood).
System
Proac 1.5
Cary SLP 94L
VTL Deluxe Mono 300 (in triode mode)
Marantz 8260
Linn Sondex/Valhalla/ekoz/clear audio aurum beta s
Michael Yee PFE1 Phono pre
Analysis Plus Oval 9 (bi-wire)
Silver audio Hy (IC)
Your terminology is very accurate. Thank you for expanding on my comments.The Signal Cable cord has definitely improved the playback quality of many CDs that I had thought were harsh and shrill.
I also just recently purchased the same cable to be used with a modified DVP9000 and I had the same excellent results. I'm also using the Signal Magic power cord for my amplifier and find that it unnecessary to spend money on higher priced cables.
Thanks for the feedback. Glad to know it's not my imagination.
Power cords for my monoblocks are on their way to me.
I am not familiar with the PC you are reviewing, still it is very nice that it helped improve your enjoyment of your gear/music. Another off the chart tweak for AC powercords (fuses and any metal to metal connection) is Walker Audio's SST. If you have not tried SST, for $70 I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The difference with the SST used and without is very audible, obvious and highly recommended.
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