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REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable

76.199.106.164
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:35:00
vickgeo@live.com
Audiophile

Posts: 55
Location: N.Cal.
Joined: March 14, 2008
Model: HC
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $189
Description: power cable
Manufacturer URL: MAC Sound Pipes

Review by vickgeo@live.com on November 02, 2009 at 13:35:01
IP Address: 76.199.106.164		Add Your Review
for the HC

This is almost as much a fan letter as it is a review. A few years (not to mention tears) ago, I became aware power cords had at least as much effect on the sound of my system as interconnect and speaker cables, all other things being equal. And so began my hunt. It involved such trophies as SignalCable (Magic and Digital), Monarchy, ElementCables, BPT, Elf Audio Reference, Shunyata Diamondback, Neotech Tunami, Ultimate Cables C-4, and others I can no longer recall. Each had its strengths and weaknesses in varying degrees, With the winners perhaps being the ELF and the Tunami, with the Signal leading the budget catagory.
Note the "perhaps": The differences were noticeable, but were ones of degree, not kind. Even the quite inexpensive Monarchy cables were convincingly good, much better than stock. So, it was a revelation to me to hear an affordable power cable that brought me to say, "Yes! This is IT!" I experience the MAC HC Power Cable as doing it all, at a price I can afford. The backgound is black,empty of everything but the recording venue, instrumental timbre is accurate, leading edges are instant, and dynamics sound unrestricted.
I presently have these cables feeding my monoblock amps, but as I can arrange it, they will be also serving my power conditioner and preamp.

Product Weakness: None observed.
Product Strengths: Sound! Cost, flexibility.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: 2 PS Audio Trio A100 biamped
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Stereo Knight Silverstone B&R
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Cambridge 840C CDP, Adcom FM Tuner
Speakers: Mark & Daniels Diamond+
Cables/Interconnects: Neotech Tunami, MAC HC, Shunyata Diamondback, Element Power, MAC IC's, Speltz Anti-Cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, jazz, a little 60's rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: vrs
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): BPT conditioner, 2 Quantum Symphonies
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
RE: REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable, posted on November 24, 2009 at 06:02:49
ScrapIron
Audiophile

Posts: 238
Joined: July 19, 2002
Contributor
  Since: January 14, 2010
 I concur. I've have MAC HC power cords on all my equipment for a few years now. They beat out some much higher PC. I've also added his ICs and speaker cables with the same results- sold off higher $$ cables and the sound is more natural, easier, just better.

And to add- Steve's customer service is outstanding.
RE: REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable, posted on November 3, 2009 at 04:36:12
mt10425
Audiophile

Posts: 1217
Location: midwest
Joined: January 23, 2004
Contributor
  Since: March 7, 2009
 I've got one connecting my B&K AV receiver with good results, improved vocal clarity and a slight increase in volume.



"Apparently, people now believe that mental telepathy is the foundation of communication and magic is the source of daily events. Consequently, we no longer have to participate in our own lives."
RE: REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable, posted on November 2, 2009 at 22:06:55
RZCK
Audiophile

Posts: 45
Location: Pepper Pike,OH
Joined: October 3, 2009
 Nice review. I find that the MAC HC is a great sounding power cord especially for the price.It is comparible sonically to the LessLoss power cords which are among my favorite power cords regardless of price.It seems that you think highly of Ernest's Reference power cords.I didn't know he made power cords he doesn't have any on his website .Anyway the MAC HC is one hell of a power cord for the money that is just as good or even better than more expensive power cords.

RE: REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable, posted on November 24, 2009 at 11:12:57
WMS
Audiophile

Posts: 40
Joined: June 4, 2001
 I own three MAC HC power cords and one Lessloss power cord. I am hard pressed to hear the difference between the MAC and the Lessloss power cords. The power cords are even similiar in appearance. The Lessloss probably has a slight sonic advantage as it uses more expensive (oyaide) connectors than the MAC.

RE: REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable, posted on November 24, 2009 at 15:03:22
RZCK
Audiophile

Posts: 45
Location: Pepper Pike,OH
Joined: October 3, 2009
 Yes I agree that the MAC HC power cords look and sound virtually identical to the much more expensive LessLoss power cords.I even prefered the MAC HC to the much more expensive TelWire HC power cord with Oyaide connectors and all.The
MAC HC power cords are very special indeed.

Yep, 16ga wire sounds like 16ga wire., posted on November 2, 2009 at 20:14:53
Bob Brines
Manufacturer

Posts: 85
Location: Central Arkansas
Joined: March 15, 2006
 And 16ga wire has about as neutral a sound as you can get if you don't kwatts to get to your listening level. I've done CAT5 is 2-,4- and 8-wire configuration, WalMart 16ga zip cord, and the "White Lightning" extension cords. Except for the 2-wire on some low Q drivers, they all sound essentially identical.

BTW, my "White Lightning" uses white and white for hot, green for ground attached at the amp only.

Bob

Something is missing here,, posted on November 2, 2009 at 21:25:38
QuadTodd
Audiophile

Posts: 238
Location: Midwest
Joined: October 22, 2004
 "...my "White Lightning" uses white and white for hot, green for ground attached at the amp only."

Sounds like your green may act like an antenna and where the heck is your neutral/return connection for the AC?

The OP is talking about a power cable and, if you are too, you should try some higher priced cords to hear some real differences.

RE: REVIEW: MAC Sound Pipes HC Cable, posted on November 2, 2009 at 19:16:14
LarryK2
Industry Professional

Posts: 54
Location: New Hampshire
Joined: December 25, 2006
 Thanks for the review. I'm very happy with mine - currently powering my Woo Audio 3 headphone amp, but previously powered a Linn Axis turntable to very good sonic results.

Cheers,
Larry

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