|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
66.65.139.127
There has been a lot written recently about the excellent new P/C series connectors from Oyaide and Acrolink of Japan. These connectors are imported by Joe Cohen at Lotus Group (www.lotusgroupusa.com) and are growing in popularity and also it seems, in prestige by the day. These connectors pay especially close attention to the details, including base materials (Deoxidized Phosphor Bronze) and plating (including materials, combinations of materials, thicknesses and surface finish.) The following plating combinations are available and a sonic description (from the Lotus Group’s website) follows:P/C-037 Silver/Rhodium – Pure, strong, solid, uncolored reproduction – providing a very extended sound field.
P/C-079 Direct Gold - bold, sweet, luxurious, dynamic and lucid character
P/C-046 Gold/Palladium – the character of Gold with an added vibrancy and a cooler, fresher feeling
I recently had the chance to compare a group of power cords by different manufacturers, each using the excellent Oyaide P/C or Acrolink P/I connectors. All power cords were purchased on Audiogon by me. I think I had at least one cord from each of the manufacturers currently using the Oyaide or Acrolink connectors, with the exception of the Vh Audio’s Air Sine. *I had not planned on writing anything about the comparison, but I had so many questions once I simultaneously placed the cords for resale on Audiogon, that I will try to provide a recap. The following cords were used in this comparison:
Acrolink 6n-p4030pc w/ Oyaide P/C 046 Palladium over Gold with double cryo treatment and burn-in
Locus Design Nucleus w/ Oyaide P/C 079 Direct Gold with cryo treatmentPurist Aqueous Design Anniversary w/ Oyaide P/C 079 Direct Gold with CryoMag treatment
Michael Wolff Audio Silver Carbon Gain w/ Acrolink P/I CF Carbon fiber connectors
Michael Wolff Audio Viola w/ Acrolink P/I CF Carbon fiber connectors
I had the chance to try each on my World Power Power Wing AC conditioner (manufactured by Alan Kafton at Audio Excellence AZ).It would have been interesting to compare each cord as constructed with the identical Oyaide or Acrolink connectors or to try each also on a front-end component (the Michael Wolff cords tested here were designed for use with amps or power conditioners) but that was, in my context, impossible.
Please be sure, these are all excellent cords that could happily reside in the finest of systems. This is not a definitive statement, nor am I am proclaiming one cord to be universally better than the others, as I have always felt so much of this hobby is so very personal - ears, sonic/musical/volume tastes and preferences, room, and other component interactions and synergy are all crucial. I certainly had a preference … but more on that later.
One of the great things about power cords and especially the Oyaides, is that you can truly dial-in the sound of your system … with the Oyaides, you may also rest comfortably knowing that you are using one of the finest connectors available. Be aware, however, that in my opinion, the P/I CF Acrolink Carbon Fiber connectors reside in a class to themselves. The Acrolink is available only with the Palladium over Gold plating, but the connectors are amazing – they feature a “carbon fiber outer barrel that is said to absorb EMI and stray electrons making it the quietest AC conductor available today.”I have listed each cord in the length/price tested and also included the web site for each.
The Audio Excellence AZ Acrolink 6n-p4030pc is also a very nice cord. It is the standard Acrolink 6n-p4030 power cord that Alan Kafton at Audio Excellence AZ has double deep cryo-treated by Cryogenics International and then burned-in on his Audiodharma cable cooker for 4.5 days. It did no significant harm to the sound and presented a very nice illusion of soundstage. It was still very neutral and dynamics were again very good. Across the board – it had very nice bass, mids and highs. Again, it does seem that the Oyaide conductors (in this case, the P/C 046 Palladium over Gold) were at work, as there was a bit more crispness and detail, while the overall balance illuminated a bit more of a light on the highs - perhaps a bit more shimmer than the cords terminated with the P/C-079 Oyaide Gold. In the context of the other cords, it is also a great deal!
1.5 meter - $450 http://www.audioexcellenceaz.com
The Locus Design Nucleus seems to be a labor of love by Lee Weiland. It involves much custom production and is also cryo-treated. It was also terminated with the Oyaide P/C 079s and was more neutral overall, but with a slight bit of warmth (perhaps the Oyaide Gold connectors?) It was very holographic, had great detail and just excellent across-the-board. It seemed quite dynamic, but other than that very slight warmth, really added very little additional signature to the sound. A wonderful all-around cable!
Six feet - $919 *The Nucleus is available in a Reference version (untested) using the Acrolink Carbon fiber connectors, beginning at $1599 for a three foot cord http://www.locus-design.com
The Purist Audio Design Aqueous Anniversary is one of the newest cords from Jim Aud at PAD. It is part of the 20th Anniversary line and is CryoMag treated and features the new CONTEGO shielding material which is said to combine the best of his past Ferox and Fluid shielding. Reports are saying that it needs quite a bit of time to break-in and settle – 250+ hours. I must say it was pretty amazing and had the largest sonic signature. It offered more weight and body than any of the cords - full-bodied, with deep and powerful bass, luscious mids and extended highs. It still sounded natural, but more to the lush side, with great soundstaging. Somehow for me, it was almost too much of a good thing as it presented an almost Technicolor sound in my system, that others may yet find appealing. Perhaps the Oyaide P/C 079s were too much in the context of the design (or my system.) This one is fun!
Two meter - $1450 http://www.puristaudiodesign.com
The older Michael Wolff Audio Silver Carbon Gain cord was very nice – one of my favorites for us on my Channel Island Audio D-200 amps, but to my ears, it was not in the same elite class as his Silver Carbon Source cord (for use on preamps and front-end components.) The new Michael Wolff Audio Viola is now in that same league (to my ears and in my system) ... it virtually mimicked the level of performance of the Source cord and just presented an amazingly balanced portrayal that presented reproduced sound most similarly to that same music when heard live. It may be simply that it is hitting my own personally desired sweet spot, but it just seemed to click as both musical and with all the audiophile goodies – articulate, fast and deep bass, excellent mids and highs, excellent detail and dynamics, with excellent soundstaging. **As a note, Michael Wolff Audio is now offering their cords terminated exclusively with the $800/set Acrolink Carbon fiber connectors. At the price, it seems expensive, but considering the connectors, it seems like a more than a bit of a steal!
Three feet - $1000 http://www.wolffaudio.com
Here is my current system and that which was used for the comparison.Preamp
ModWright SWL 9.0 SE w/ AC and slipstream Bybees and Grand Prix Audio Apex feetPower Amp
Channel Islands Audio D-200 monosMain Speakers
Gallo Reference IIIs with Bright Star Audio Gallo stands, Grand Prix Audio Apex feet
Subwoofer
Gallo SA Reference to amplify the second woofer voicecoil on the Ref IIIs, Stillpoint feet
Digital Source
Opera Consonance Droplet with Grand Prix Audio Apex feet
Analog Source
Components USA-modified Kenwood L007II tuner w/ BIC BEAM BOX (great for use in a multipath-congested city!)Speaker Cables
Michael Wolff Silver Carbon w/ Oyaide spades, Ridge Street Audio Poiema!! Signature for second woofer voicecoil
Interconnect Cables
Michael Wolff Gold Silver Carbon with Acrolink Carbon RCAs or wbt platinum nextgens, CT Silver Reference II+, ZCable Live V5, Purist Aqueous AnniversaryPower Cables
Michael Wolff Viola for amps and Power Wing and Silver Carbon Source for Cd player, Tuner and preamp - all w/ Acrolink Carbon fibre connectors, Elrod EPS3 Signature for sub ampPower Conditioning
World Power Power Wing Oyaide XXX outlet w/ metal frame and carbon fiber wall plate
Rack, Isolation
Grand Prix Audio Monaco w/ Carbon/Kevlar shelves and Apex Feet
System Tweaks
Marigo Signature 3D mat for cd
ERS cloth on amps, preamp and cd playerRoom Size 12x27x9 (feet)
Room Description L-shaped Manhattan alcove studio apartment
Music Preferences Acoustic jazz, vocals, World, folk, alt. country, rock, classical
Follow Ups:
What is the purpose of silver pating something to then go and plate it with Rhodium? I never understood this, Rhodium is a worse conductor than gold.P.S. Silver oxide (tarnish) is a better conductor than Gold or Rhodium, so the anti tarnish argument is bogus.
Freejazz: an excellent post, thank you. I've been wondering about the Locus, Purist and Wolff cords.I have a VH Audio AirSine with the Oyaide Gold and had an Audio Excellence Acrolink with the same connectors on audition. IMS, the Acrolink had a lower noise floor (blacker background) and more clarity than the AirSine which, however, has fuller harmonics and a more extended decay that creates a greater three dimensionality and soundstage. I ordered an Acrolink as the combination of the two cords gave the advantages of each. I tried each cord on my CJ MV60SE and Alan's Power Wing (which I also had on audition and also ordered - can't wait!).
A question: I have found that some products that use carbon fiber material, i.e., Bybee filters (which I've used on several pieces - I also have a Modwright SWL 9.0SE with Bybees, btw) and Quantum Physics Noise Disruptors, while certainly providing a lower noise floor and greater resolution, thin out the midrange a bit. Did you notice this at all with the Carbon Fiber connectors and cords? I realize you didn't have the same cords with and without the P/I CF.
Thanks again,
Rob
Hi Rob ... thanks for the kind words (and you should love the Power Wing - on what mix of Oyaides did you decide?)Your comment on the carbon and Bybees is interesting. I cannot say I noticed that same effect. I use the carbon fiber connectors on the interconnects and power cords and do have the Bybees in the preamp.
The only time I thought that my system might be at all thin in the midrange was when I compared the Purist Audio Design Aqueuous Anniversary to any of the other cables ... it just offered so much body that the others (even the other P/C-079 gold - Locus Design Nucleus) seemed a bit thin. I ultimately decided that although it is a great cable, the Purist was a bit too much for the way the system was configured.
Ordered two Oyaide Direct Gold and one Palladium Gold for the Power Wing. I found (as did a couple of friends I had over) that the Rhodium was way too forward IMS, albeit neutral sounding tonewise. The Palladium Gold also sounds neutral but with a more natural "line of speaker" presentation and is more holographic. The Direct Gold is slightly warm in comparison to the others and as holographic as the Palladium.I recently installed a Oyaide Direct Gold outlet with the carbon fiber cover in place of the Hubbell 5362 I had previously. It's a bit more resolving and less warm than the latter. So the preponderence of Gold outlets and connectors gives my system a slight tilt to the warm side overall - which I prefer - without any bloat or excessive lushness, as my components, although mostly tubed, are mostly pretty neutral.
For further comparison, I also have an AirSine with the Wattgate Gold 330i/350i connectors and compared to it the AirSine with Oyaide Gold sounds almost completely neutral; the former is much warmer. The Wattgate AirSine connected between the Palladium outlet of the Power Wing and my Exemplar Denon 2900 gives a very three dimensional, tonally realistic presentation.
I understand what you mean by the Purist being good but "too much": I had the same experience with the Purist Museous and Synergistic Research Sig. 10X2 spkr. cables IMS.
Rob,That is exactly the same configuration that I ordered! In my system, my feeling about the Rhodium was exactly the same, yet many adore it ... again listening preferences and system synergies?
I have tried both the Cryo'ed and standard XXX (both with the frame and carbon fiber plate) ... I found both to be better than anything I had previously used. The cryo'ed version did seem slightly more relaxed, yet at the same time fuller and with better spatial clues and soundstaging - (** you are right on this one Duster.)
That also follows directly with my experience with the connectors. I like Chris's Air Sine very much, but have not yet heard it with the Oyaide connector ... only the Wattagate Gold and Furu Rhodium. It seems that when mixing the Gold outlets in the Power Wing and the Acrolink Carbon Fiber Palladium over Gold connectors, that I have had the best of both worlds.
I have a feeling that the Purist would be superb in some systems, but they were not quite "right on center" with mine. Still lovely though .. the Aqueous Anniversary is the favorite of all the Purist cords I have heard.
Again, thanks Rob
Scott,Yes, any combination of Direct Gold and Palladium Gold seems to produce a great synergy.
Now, however, your posts have created a very large temptation to try the Carbon Fiber connectors. :-)
Sent you an e-mail.
I am thinking about moving uo from a Flav4 w Furu gold connector. to an AirSine w/ Furu Rhodium connectors. I was interested on your take on the AirSine w/ Furu Rhodium con.
I would actually call and speak with Chris. In my experience I would trust him implicitly relative his cables.The AirSine itself was a definite step up from the very nice Flavor 4.
The Furu rhodium versus the Furu or Wattagate gold - to me, the rhodium was a bit more dynamic and detailed - the soundstage was also moved a bit forward in my listening.
It would be very interesting to try the AirSines in both the Furu and similarly plated Oyaide plugs. I know both are very good, but as you have probably noted, I have certainly preferred the Oyaide.
Again, you cannot go wrong inquiring of Chris.
Like yourself; I've also found Oyaide's level of resolution to be higher vs. others I've tried, but where an Oyaide really stands out is in how it further opens up the soundstage, with a substantially improved level of ambient information retrieval, along with better delineated image outlines. Vivid spatial cues is Oyaide's strongest sonic betterment, IME. I very much equate this factor as also being one of higher resolution, as this specific listening cue is also what's involved as inner detail retrieval (rather than just what's found in the leading edge).
As Freejazz says, you're right again Duster :-).Going back and listening again with just the Oyaide GX outlet (and without the Power Wing, which has moved on) the images are steadier than without it.
What I love most about the Power Wing is that with everything plugged into it the imaging is rock steady: there are no shifting images at all.
Yes, I've found Oyaide to help provide a soundstage that's rock solid as well as expansive, with imaging being more firmly fleshed-out (palpable) without sounding forward. And, while not sounding forward, the soundstage seems to present with a more "out of the box and into the room" projection.
Again, as usual, you are right on.If you like the Oyaides (especially the P/C-046 Palladium over Gold) at some point you must try one of the Acrolink carbon fiber P/I CF sets ... they are crazy expensive, but they just move everything up a notch. Knowing the Oyaides as you do, even if you have not yet heard the P/I CFs (as they are even quieter than the Oyaides) you can imagine their effect.
..but I'll be totally slayed in AA if I go that far :-) BTW, a DIY build VH Audio Flavor 4 power cord terminated with an Oyaide P-079/C-079 combo has got to be *the* high-value bomb. I've yet to read a report about such a killer DIY assembly...
The VH Flavor designs always were great values and I can imagine only better with the Oyaide connectors.However, somewhere, some way, somehow, sometime ... if even in some parallel "off the Asylum" universe, as passionate as you are about all this, you must try the Acrolink Carbon Fiber connectors ... you will not be able to even post your excitement on AA, as you will not leave your listning chair for a week! :> )
One (actually two) other cords that I forgot to mention that use the Oyaide and Acrolink connectors are the Prana Wire cables that are handmade by the same Joe Cohen who is the importer of Oyaide and Acrolink from Japan.Samadhi - uses the Oyaide P/C One meter $2250
Maha Samadhi - uses the Acrolink Carbon Fiber P/I PC One meter $3450
i am curious, why would you say the wolff gain cord was not as good as the source cord? i have a gain cord and had a source cord, they certain look like siblings. maybe a slightly different sound because the gain cord apparently has more silver and carbon in it?
---
check out my foobar playlist at http://www.last.fm/user/tiberian001/
HI tiberian,It is just an opinion and is not intended as a knock on the Silver Carbon Gain cord, for as you will note, I really like Michael's cables and what they contribute to my system. It is just my feeling on the relative merits of the Gain versus the Source, as both measured to what I would consider MY ideal cord.
The Silver Carbon Source cord, just really seemed almost pefect within its designed usage - front-end components and preamps. I have not found a cord that I enjoyed more for that purpose.
The Silver Carbon Gain cord, although very, very nice, just did not seem to be "as ideal" for its intended use as a cord for amps and power conditioners. In my usage, it did so many things so well and was better overall than other cords I had tried. It still, however, was not as dynamic as would have been ideal and the bass performance was seemingly bettered by some other cords I had tried (with bass performance defined as a combination of articulation, speed and depth.)
To me, the Viola has the great musicality and other strengths of the Silver Carbon Gain, but improves on the dynamics, inner detailing and bass performance.
Again, however, as I prefaced in the comparison, "I have always felt so much of this hobby is so very personal - ears, sonic/musical/volume tastes and preferences, room, and other component interactions and synergy are all crucial."
This is, in the above context, just my opinion.
You the one selling these cords on Agon a while back. I was tempted to try one of these cords, but my wallet resisted.I'm interested in what you think about the interconnects you have. I know the Cryotweaks IC you have very well, so how does the other IC's you have compare?
Hi Jon,I actually just recently sold them all. I wasn't going to even do this, but you guys are a most curious lot! ;> ) So, to retain a minute shred of credibility, I waited until each of the cables were sold to post this.
I haven't done quite as much of an in-depth comparison between the intereconnects. I think the CT IC is a wondeful product and that it was also very good in the price-value comparison.
I got hooked on the Acrolink and Oyaide connectors early on. I think Michael Wolff and Joe Cohen at Prana Wire (also the importer) were the only manufacturers using them at the time. Joe's cables were so much more expensive, that I started with the Michael Wolff cables.
Without an in-depth comparison, I can say that the CryoTweaks CT Ref, Purist Audio Design Aqueous Anniversary, Michael Wolff Silver Gold Carbon, and ZCable Live v5 are all in the same league with varying strengths (and varying minor difficiencies.)
I just really like the combination of musicality and "audiophile goodies" that the Wolff Silver Gold Carbon interconnects offer. I think it may have something to due with the use of the gold, but especially the carbon ... however it was the difference between the Acrolink carbon fiber and the wbt nextgen platinum RCA connectors that I found to be at least as interesting. I have all but one pair in the Acrolink Carbon fiber w/ the other being the platinum nextgen.
The wbt platinum nextgens are a bit smoother, while still offering their characteristic excellent detail and soundstaging. The Acrolinks are as excellent in the detail and soundstaging arenas, but are yet quieter and seen to demonstrate a very slighly cooler and crisper sound (again, not sure if it is the palladium.)
I recommend that you put a pair of Spectrum Cu's on your "must listen" list. Chris offers a refund if not delighted. I'm very delighted...
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: