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SCD-1 + Ultra Khan 2

Posted by Jazz Inmate (A) on August 1, 2004 at 11:54:57

I was always very impressed with the performance of the Fat Man 2000 cord. With the introduction of the Ultra Khan 2 power cable this year, I wondered whether Electra Glide had made as much of an improvement over previous cords as they claimed. My curiosity got the better of me and I made a deal to trade up to the UK2s.
They arrived on Friday (seven months after I ordered them from Electra Glide!) and I was thrilled to finally be able to replace the PS Audio Lab cables with the UK2. When I yanked the Fat Mans from my system and went back to the Labs, my system took a big step back.

I plugged the UK2s into the SCD-1 and my VAC amp after listening to the Allman Bros Eat a Peach SACD. I cued up the same disc again with the UK2s. The first improvement we noticed was better bass (and more bass in certain passages). We then noticed stronger imaging, especially in the center, then more articulate treble and midrange. Within about half an hour it was obvious that the presentation had considerably improved in every way.

I put on the SFSO Mahler 4 as the cables continued to cook in. As we listened, the microdetails, attack/decay and sense of hall ambience especially was uncanny. The voice of Laura Claycomb in the final movement was a revelation and the strings throughout were engrossing.

I then put on the Sarah Vaughan SACD and there was no doubt that the UK2s had elevated the performance of my system far beyond the Labs. Even with the Labs, I could tell the Vaughan was a great transfer, and I had listened to it frequently since buying it in early '04. But with the UK2s, it really came alive and the presence and dynamics were simply astonishing. I now believe the UK2s provide the best synergy with the SCD-1 of the cords I've used, which include the Mapleshade DNA, CPCC Model 11, Labs, Garlands and Fat Mans.

The only question is how much better are the UK2s than the Fat Mans. My 7-month old aural memory tells me they are significantly better. But without having the Fat Mans, it's impossible to say with absolute certainty. One advantage of the UK2s over the FMs and other high end power cords that is for certain: the flexibility. While the FMs were rigid, heavy and difficult, UK2s are far more flexible. Running them from the rear panel of my P600 to the SCD-1 and VAC was a breeze. The improved flexibility is one more reason the upgrade is worthwhile for me.

Would I pay list price of $4500 each for the cords? Based on what I hear, I would have to say "yes". Part of the reason the cords are so expensive is that only 200 will be made this year. But if you're interested, do not under ANY circumstances order direct from Electra Glide. Go through EG's dealer. I will not go into the frustrations and problems i encountered dealing with EG directly, but it really hurt my enjoyment of this hobby over the past 7 months as my system was not performing near the level I was accostomed to with the Fat Mans. But sometimes a step backward is required before going forward again, and this latest step forward has been a long time coming. My full enjoyment of SACD is restored, that's for sure.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Sonic Craft

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