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Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review

199.248.185.22
Posted on June 23, 2014 at 11:45:07
ozzyboy
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Joined: April 4, 2002
 Review:
June 2014
Topic: The Mad Scientist “NEO” Power cord from New Zealand.
I must start off by saying that I was one of the original skeptics about power cords improving Audio quality. The first power cord that changed my mind was the Synergistic Research Master Coupler. Back in the day I think they sold for about $150 but once I inserted it into my system, the bass was much stronger and I was a believer.

So through the years I spent a lot of time and money getting the power cords that seemed to grab reviewer’s attention. That list includes, top of the line products from Purist, Virtual Dynamics, Nordost, and Synergistic Apex power cables. I borrowed many more to try from the Cable Company.

Well, one day on Audiogon a thread appeared about HiDiamond power cables and the comparison to most of the cables that I had owned. I ordered a few HiDiamond P3 power cords (which were less than half the cost of my current cables ) and to my amazement they did in fact better my high cost Synergistic Apex cables with all the active shielding modules and such. One by one I replaced the Synergistic with the HiDiamond P3’s. Then a few months later HiDiamond introduced the P4’s. Now these were much pricier than the P3’s. But, eventually I accumulated 6 of the P4’s and defended these to all that these power cables are the best ever made.

A few months back I found a thread on Audio Asylum about a New Zealand company (Mad Scientist) that was sending out free samples of some little discs that when placed atop of cables were to improve the sound quality. The tweaker that I am, I had to try them. So, that I could get an ample supply to try them at several places I had my wife and daughter order some of the free samples also. Well the Mad Scientist noticed that the same address with different names was getting extra free samples. I fessed up to my little scheme, and was sort of embarrassed.

Anyway, The Mad Scientist later came out with a new power cord, the “NEO”. This cord appeared to have some actual technology involved other than just a different type of wire or braiding techniques, shielding, connectors etc that ever other Cable manufacture claims is what makes theirs superior to others.

No, the Mad Scientist NEO Power cord design goes beyond just wires and uses some proprietary black sticks, and bell shaped things woven in and out of the AC wiring. I ordered up one of the NEO power cords with upgraded AC / IEC ends and 11 gauge wires.
Surprisingly, though New Zealand is on the other side of the world I received them in a matter of days.

I was in the process of remodeling my Audio room and placed the NEO power cord on my Audiodharma cable cooker for about a week. Once my room was finished I remembered that I still had the NEO on my cooker.

Well folks, I first placed this Mad Scientists NEO Power cord on my Pass Labs X350.5 amp (which replaced a HiDiamond P4 Power cord). To my surprise, immediately, there was a marked improvement in bass, bass quality and definition. The midrange showed that special quality that brought the magic of the recording into my room. This is my belief that the improved tonal quality accompanied by a very large soundstage was of such high quality that when compared to the HiDiamond P4 power cord, it made the HiDiamond sound, well, HIFI!

Now, the HiDiamond P4 power cord had beaten all other power cords in my 15+ year journey through the power cord jungle.
So here is a power cord that looks sort of homemade and costs 1 / 5 of the HiDiamond P4 and was making my system sound way more real sounding. I’ve heard people use the word “organic” to describe sound quality and never really knew what that meant. But organic or “realganic” is correct for the sound of the new Mad Scientist NEO power cord.

I then tried it by replacing the HIDiamond P4’s power cord that was on my Pass Labs Preamp XP-10 and later on my BSG QOL. In both places, the sound improved to quite a large extent with the Mad Scientist product. I then ordered 3 more of these Mad Scientists cords. Each and every place, be it digital, analog, power conditioner, power amp the change in sound quality improved.

I just received the newly designed Dac from PS Audio, called the “Direct Stream”. Placing this New Zealand power cord from the Mad Scientist on it made an already fantastic sounding Dac into extra ordinary.

I have no financial interest in this company. I paid the price for all of the power cords. The newly designed power cords with 11 gauge wire sells for less than $500 with the better quality AC ends(a must). But consider how much all of the other power cords that I have mentioned in this review cost and you can see how great of a deal these cords are.

They don’t look pretty. They have a cotton outer covering and several shrink wrapped bulges at the end that is holding in the black sticks, magnets, copper plates and the power kegs.

But boy, is it one great power cord.

 

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    ...
Excellent, posted on June 23, 2014 at 22:40:04
Metralla
Audiophile

Posts: 7801
Location: San Jose, California
Joined: January 30, 2001
 Good to see a power cord at a "reasonable" price that knocked your socks off and can compete with much more expensive cords. I wonder if Duster will let you call it a giant killer. ;-)



Regards,
Geoff

 

;-) nt, posted on June 24, 2014 at 09:20:40
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 nt

 

deja vu all over again, posted on June 24, 2014 at 12:56:47
rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3041
Location: Atlanta
Joined: December 15, 2003
 Is this a real review or street theater?

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 24, 2014 at 13:55:15
ozzyboy
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Joined: April 4, 2002
 Its the best review I can post.

 

Yeah I was wondering that myself. But it may be coincidence? nt, posted on June 24, 2014 at 14:02:44
Elizabeth
 .

 

Your review is good, it is just as it is right after the problem review below.. , posted on June 24, 2014 at 14:07:37
Elizabeth
 It will come off a bit as a plant or such. I personally do not think you are shilling the product. But with this review right after the previous review of this guy's product it is not great timing.
Most of us are just laying a bit low as the powers that be are not happy about the last mad scientist review results.
Most of that was the op's problematic habits.

So just keep your cool, do not get upset at anyone taking potshots.. And it will all be well.

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 24, 2014 at 14:48:43
ozzyboy
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Joined: April 4, 2002
 Thank you Elizabeth, I was not aware that the other posting got nixed.

 

RE: Your review is good, it is just as it is right after the problem review below.. , posted on June 24, 2014 at 15:43:28
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
 Exactly. Coming on the heels of the other Mad Scientist cable raises this eyebrow for sure. I remember this happening with other products where a couple of guys would post "reviews" within hours of each other, giving the impression that this was a product launch of some sort.

What troubles me is the "I was an original skeptic" line which is all too prevalent in these "reviews". It's as if it is supposed to make the "review" more believable. I think Mad Scientist needs to rein in these over-zealous "reviewers" a bit.

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 24, 2014 at 16:16:49
ozzyboy
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Joined: April 4, 2002
 I did notice the other review about the Mad Scientist power cable and that did prompt me to write a review about the NEO power cord. I was not aware that the previous review turned negative but I guess it did.
My only purpose for the review was to share my findings with others.
I really don't care if you try them or not.

 

RE: deja vu all over again, posted on June 24, 2014 at 16:32:45
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 real

ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

If someone bothered to look...., posted on June 24, 2014 at 17:48:13
axolotl
Audiophile

Posts: 3955
Location: So. California
Joined: September 10, 2002
 ...they might have noticed that you stated in the earler thread that you had obtained several of the NEO cords at no small cost to you and that you intended to post your results the following week, which you did.

A lesser person (that is, I) might have chickened out under the circumstances, but you followed up.

One good thing about this thread is that I would fairly imagine that the OP and the manufacturer are in the "sin-bin" serving time-outs.

Now, I face the dilemma of going "cheap" with the $139 MS cord or spending the nest egg on the "even-more-betterer" NEO.

axolotl

 

+1 n/t, posted on June 24, 2014 at 18:50:52
tweakmenow
Audiophile

Posts: 245
Location: East Coast USA
Joined: March 26, 2012
 .

 

RE: Your review is good, it is just as it is right after the problem review below.. , posted on June 24, 2014 at 21:21:28
Tony Lauck
Audiophile

Posts: 13629
Location: Vermont
Joined: November 12, 2007
 I have more confidence that cables differ than I do that reviewers are honest. ;-)



Tony Lauck

"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar

 

RE: If someone bothered to look...., posted on June 25, 2014 at 00:57:54
beautox
Manufacturer

Posts: 366
Location: New Plymouth
Joined: July 9, 2013
 Apparently not. No sin committed. And btw, I don't have any control over customers who buy my stuff, like it and write reviews here. I suspect there's going to be more, as these were only just released recently, and there are quite a few now winging their way towards potential reviewers..

 

RE: If someone bothered to look...., posted on June 25, 2014 at 02:06:12
lateboomer
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Joined: May 8, 2014
 Actually I liked the previous review very much as I saw great effort being put into writing to explain the sound and the improvement the cable made. It may be too much hyperbole but to non English speaker, I like good English writing and enjoyed reading it.

You may said I am naive but I felt the emotion was genuine and I straight away order one Neo to try it out, before long the thread turned a wrong way to negative bashing. I am still waiting for it to send to Malaysia.

I felt Ozzyboy is too extra 'polite' in writing his review to avoid controversy, may be it is sensible move at this time but may do himself or the product disservice.

I equally can see the points of naysayers to challenge any reviews to flush out fake reviews. This is my first thread at AA and just my two-cents.

 

RE: If someone bothered to look...., posted on June 25, 2014 at 02:26:32
beautox
Manufacturer

Posts: 366
Location: New Plymouth
Joined: July 9, 2013
 I don't really know Winston very well - he lives in a different part of the country. But his review reflects what he is like - passionate, over the top, somewhat obsessed with audio and prone to rants. But his heart is in the right place. What I mean is that he wasn't putting it on - his writing reflects what he's like. And that, I thought, was the point of reviews on here. They are people's opinions.

Ozzyboy's first review of one of my "things" (a few months ago) was by no means positive. However, that made me realize that I needed to do better. And if forums like this can encourage manufacturers to improve their product, I consider that a good thing.

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 25, 2014 at 07:08:58
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15968
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Excellent review! Love the name of this pc...

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 25, 2014 at 12:16:06
ozzyboy
Audiophile

Posts: 335
Joined: April 4, 2002
 Elizabeth, I think the only way to get this right is for you to order one and post your opinion. Your opinion will add credence to the subject.
I know you like the Pangea cords, I own the 14SE and the 9SE power cords. If you don't like the NEO, I will trade you my Pangea 14 SE, 9SE for it.

 

BRAVO, posted on June 25, 2014 at 15:15:05
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 I know you have struggled long to work out my criticisms: THANK YOU !

 

Sorry anything with 'mad scientist' for a name is too bizarre for me, posted on June 25, 2014 at 15:49:57
Elizabeth
 Plus the guy already does not like me. LOL which was rather funny as he totally proved the sue crazy attitude with his comment to a prior post of mine. So no thanks, I have no interest in the possibility of telling him his cords suck, then threats of lawsuits.. Not interested.
I did that once with some 'other' 'mad scientist' type dude.
I am already certain this guy will find some issue with this post.
Just a warning for anyone planning to have a not so perfect review.. I told ya'.

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 25, 2014 at 23:31:05
John V
Audiophile

Posts: 248
Location: NEW ZEALAND
Joined: May 10, 2010
 A small correction (perhaps) for WS, if it helps (from MSA's site):

The FIRST cord is approximately 1 meter (3 feet) long, but you can order different lengths. And the more upmarket NEO ...

"Standard cord is approximately 1.2 meters (4 feet) but you can order longer cords.

 

Pangea cables were named after the Lost Continent. And THAT wasn't too weird for you. Hel-loo!, posted on June 26, 2014 at 11:07:00
geoffkait
 Nt

 

nope. nt, posted on June 26, 2014 at 11:47:38
Elizabeth
 .

 

Link, posted on June 26, 2014 at 12:44:09
sbrians
Audiophile

Posts: 1477
Joined: March 4, 2002
 Some people like to be able to click on a link to the product. Here is one:

 

How about a mad scientist asylum?, posted on June 27, 2014 at 10:09:45
mt10425
Audiophile

Posts: 2399
Location: 3 hours west of Chicago
Joined: January 23, 2004
 Then all the DIY geniuses can congregate together, pat each other on the back and tell stories of how wrong corporate-funded research is. Magic beans abounding!



"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

 

RE: How about a mad scientist asylum?, posted on June 28, 2014 at 02:55:03
Ryelands
Audiophile

Posts: 1868
Location: Scotland
Joined: January 9, 2009
 Then all the DIY geniuses can congregate together, pat each other on the back and tell stories . . .

about self-appointed audio "experts" who congregate together, pat each other on the back and tell stories, usually in semi-literate prose, about devices they have neither seen nor heard. Despite this (a defect they have no intention of correcting), they seem to know everything about them that there is to know, a knowledge so profound it entitles them to be repetitively and childishly rude and/or (that fine US English word for which there is no adequate Brit English equivalent) smartass.

It's a pity that that knowledge could not be extended to an appreciation of when reticence might be a better approach, this being a case in point. Though some of the hyperbole has not been helpful, MSA's products are interesting and, despite the "casual" appearance, very effective. Though it took me some time to find an optimum configuration (they seem to interact if you connect two or more to a common outlet and/or use them in proximity), I've been using them for a month or two and would not now be without them.

I'm sure they're not for everyone and I'm certainly following those threads about Teflon with interest but I'd urge inmates either to hold their fire or put prejudice aside and try them before (how to put this?) sounding off about the unseen.

 

Unfortunately, your seriousness, posted on June 28, 2014 at 06:10:18
mt10425
Audiophile

Posts: 2399
Location: 3 hours west of Chicago
Joined: January 23, 2004
 over something so insignificant removes much of the fun. Hobbies should be fun and dissenting opinions (not absolute truth as many here believe they are expounding) are highly entertaining. Lighten up. If you consistently focus on whether responses are written by a smartass, someone childishly rude or just a cheeky bugger, the larger point will often be missed. Carry on.



"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

 

RE: Unfortunately, your seriousness, posted on June 28, 2014 at 06:21:14
Ryelands
Audiophile

Posts: 1868
Location: Scotland
Joined: January 9, 2009
 Unfortunately, your seriousness over something so insignificant removes much of the fun.

In responding to you in kind, I wasn't being entirely serious but I happily apologise if you missed my shot at irony. Didn't someone once say, "It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"?

Whatever, though you and others idea of "fun" may include belittling things you've never even seen, it isn't mine given that someone's livelihood may be at stake.

 

Apologies to you., posted on June 28, 2014 at 08:09:39
mt10425
Audiophile

Posts: 2399
Location: 3 hours west of Chicago
Joined: January 23, 2004
 I vaguely remember that quote. All I'm really saying (to a much larger audience) is, we all make judgements and decisions based on limited information. This includes experience. However, we all have opinions too and the right (and sometimes obligation) to express them in whatever context we choose. Issues arise when folks feel the need to defend their position when there is no need.



"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"

 

RE: Mad Scientist "NEO" Power Cord Review, posted on June 29, 2014 at 19:17:05
lateboomer
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Joined: May 8, 2014
 Just want to let you know I got Neo pc last Sat. I put on Neotech OCC Rhodium iec and Onix OCC Gold plated plug to it and connect it to my freezer and a fan for about a day.

I tested the cord on Sun connecting it from audio grade ACME duplex to Musical Fidelity M3 amp. The dac and cd transport were battery powered. Speakers were Dali Ikon 7 MK II.

I didn't expect it to improve a lot as my diy power cord from LC-OFC speaker cable with above connectors already bested my other pcs which are Wireworld 7 electra and Wywire GOLD pc.
But it did improve and with big margin, in term of clarity. With that musicality took a big leap forward and I could play a lot of albums, even the noisy one like Brianna with a lot of synch works.

This is great if you just slap on ferrite cores it will give you clarity but it won't improve musicality cause it cut away some details and affect the phase of music in some way. But this doesn't happen to Neo pc, it doesn't use ferrite cores.
So with Neo I get better 3D image due to better clarity without lagging or any side effects. Soundstage size is still the same.

I also connect Neo to my power box and to my DIY isolation medical transformer which supply my audio power source. Clarity also improved a lot with quieter background. But the music was a bit thin and not enough harmonics. I think may be need to use bigger gauge. The decision to use it at power box was correct and I will discuss with Mad Scientist to try on bigger gauge.

Here is my impression and I will order more Neo to use on preamp and other sources.

 

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