|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
86.210.4.123
In Reply to: RE: Black Mamba with leGo Connectors posted by el34eh@yahoo.com on October 02, 2020 at 12:11:45
Hello O_o scar. Happy to share my perceptions, but please keep in mind that the leGo plugs are the most expensive I have owned, as in the past I've gone with plated brass Chinese plugs on bulk Belden wire recommended by Jon Risch. As I doubted there was much upside from there. Also keep in mind I'm using the Schuko version. And finally, I use the leGo plugs with aluminum shells I resurrected from my old Chinese stuff, although I can't say I heard a difference between the aluminum vs the plastic shells that come standard on the leGo.
Once Duster recommended the Acoustic Revive cord, I wanted to find plugs that would not hold the cord back, but not be crazy expensive. My search ended when I ran across a review at hifi-advice.com from March, 2012 that documented a shootout with listening panel that compared Furutech FI25G and FI25R plugs to the leGo. The leGo was preferred by many on the panel.
So.. my impressions. While I waited for the leGo plugs to arrive, I was using the Acoustic Revive and Black Mamba with the Hercules gold over brass plugs. When I switched out those for the leGo, my immediate reaction was "I never thought power plugs could make THIS much difference!" And the difference was not subtle. Everything was more fleshed out, the music more tangible. I'd been concerned about the Black Mamba sounding on the thin side and almost over-analytical. With the leGo plugs that concern went out the window. I certainly have no motivation to try anything better.
The other significant learning from my venture into higher end power cords was that DH Labs Power Plus cord (that I'd been using for a few months before switching to the Black Mamba and Acoustic Revive) punches way above its class. I first switched all cords to the Black Mamba and the bass and drive was simply MIA. I put a Power Plus back at the power amp and got pretty much the best of both worlds. Duster then recommended the Acoustic Revive and so I replaced the power amp cord and the power conditioner cord with it. The Acoustic Revive is the better cord, more refined with more detail and better articulation. But the DH Labs somewhat offsets that with its more prodigious bass.
Hope that helps. Wish I could offer something more definitive, but I don't have much to compare them to. All the best and stay healthy.
Follow Ups:
Hi atkinsonrr,
I guess I forgot to ask if you're able to describe the sonic merits of say the Oyaide Black Mamba Sigma V2 against the Acoustic Revive, when it comes to things like transient response | attack of notes | sense of spaciousness | nimbleness and so on?.
As a user of a Naim Audio Nait 5SI, I've found while the BM-V2 offered a rather refined | luscious | rounder tonality to it, replacing with its stock power cord seemingly introduced a sense of detail | snap | fireworks | correctness that said BM-V2 has merely glossed over, having reconnected with a few Naim users ( as part of my old stumbling ground " Pink Fish Media " UK ) I was reminded to once again find the Sommer Cable ( Germany ) bulk cables made with silicon outer jackets versus PVC would be a marketable improvement......, hence my interest in how said Acoustic Revive responds in this manner.
As always......., stay well | be safe.
O_o scar
Hello O_oscar--
Not sure if I answered this or not. If not, my apologies for the late response. In short, I can't honestly give an opinion. At the time that I put them into my system it only registered that the Acoustic Revive was doing what I wanted it to do, that is, it maintained the detail and staging of the Mamba, but also had bass (esp, when used with my high current amp). I would do a critical listen for you now, but unfortunately my preamp went AWOL and nothing sounds right to me now.
Sorry -- Rob
Hi Rob,
That's more or less what I needed to know, and I'm sorry to hear about your preamp........., here's praying it all comes together for you soon?, as being without music in my life, is much like being without air. In said case both bring me life.
Be well | stay safe.
O_o scar
Sorry to hear about the glitch in your system. I concur that the Acoustic Revive 8800 provides good synergy when used in a system that involves Oyaide Black Mamba V2 power cords for source components.I recently re-configured an Acoustic Revive 8800 power cord that was previously doing duty as a power line conditioner power cord, and placed it on my primary headphone amplifier instead. I then used an Oyaide Black Mamba-Sigma V2 power cord for the power line conditioner, which is only used for an iMac computer with an Oyaide Black Mamba-Sigma V2 power cord, and an Oyaide PA-23 power cord for use with an internet modem/router.
The Acoustic Revive 8800 provides more warmth, more tonal bloom, if not a more relaxed presentation than the Oyaide Black Mamba V2 when placed on the headphone amplifier. More bass weight for a headphone application is a bit hard to quantify, but the bass quality and overall gestalt of the headphone set-up with an Oyaide Black Mamba V2 power cord placed on the DAC, and an Oyaide Black Mamba V2 power cord placed on an external USB 5V power injection PSU is more satisfactory than when only Oyaide Black Mamba V2 power cords were used for the particular set-up.
I hope to know about your findings when your system is up and running again, atkinsonrr.
Edits: 10/19/20
'Oyaide PA-23 power cord for use with an internet modem/router'
did it kick it up to 5G?
[just kidding]
; )
Ha!
Nope, but the sound quality of streaming audio is far better than via the stock 18 AWG zip cord that came with the modem/router.
I know it's hard for some folks to believe in, but it's one of those things that some folks need to hear in order to believe it's true...
; ) what about the video signal? or don't you stream multi-media
with regards,
Like any A/V application where I use an audiophile-quality power cord to affect audio performance, the video presentation is unaffected from a visual perspective.
This matter includes an A/V cable such as an HDMI cable that I use for audio performance, since there is nothing I've seen as notable to appreciate as a result of HDMI cable swapping.
Nothing too special to spend good money towards a better picture, but I don't consider myself to be a videophile anyway, so YMMV.
Good evening your time Young Fella.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to said line of questioning, as I see it as very solid information......., having read Christiaan reviews upon anything which had to do with power cords | AC | IEC plugs varying from said Yarbo | Furutech | IeGO | Belden | Lapp bulk cabling and all, was one of the main reasons behind my buying the pure copper IeGO set several years ago, as an alternate sound compared to a set of Furutech FI-11(CU)s, and sold the cord they were onto a friend of mine.
Having read many articles on the IeGO Gold | Rhodium over Copper Plugs over on AudioGon, just a few days ago, made me even more convinced this might be the logical way to go, as to my way of reading between the lines, many consider the Furutech house sound to be on the warmer | darker side of neutral, especially their Gold | Rhodium models, which then led me to buy said Neotech Gold AC Plug, as it's reported to offer more bite........., or better sense of attack | nimbleness of notes ( if you'll ) and being a diehard Naim owner, to my mind it's all about P.R.A.T. as it has been since 1986, upon hearing and buying the original Nait.
All that to say, my future sees either pure copper?, or gold plated IeGO plugs as where my destination ends, as several buddies wanted me to try out those more expensive Furutech NCF types, my heart simply isn't in it........, as I'd have 2 inexpensive Chinese made Dacs for said amounts, as digital technology evolves, some of these Dacs ( Linn Audio source first mindset ) are seriously challenging some of yesteryears $1.000 - $4.000 ones on a purely musical level. Let's just say........, ones sense of rational has to kick in at some point before life's end.
Once again......., thanks for sharing said perspective on said matters as they relate to this topic, your views are most helpful.
And all the best in life | heath back at yah.
Hi Oscar. Unplated copper tends to sound speedier, with better PRAT than gold or rhodium plated copper, IME. Other than the gold plated copper SOTA Furutech FI-50(G) with carbon fiber shells, which is my all-time favorite along with the unplated beryllium copper AC connectors of the Oyaide Black Mamba-Sigma power cord, the unplated copper IeGo and Viborg AC connectors are also excellent for digital gear.
Hi Duster,
Thanks for once again offering said insight into these options........., as I've never tried gold plating other then on cables like Harmonic Technologies | Acoustic Zen | Crimson R.M. | LFD, of which I came late to between 2001-2019, having spent the earlier years firmly embedded in the Linn | Naim camp by only using their recommended cables from 1986-early 2001.
I guess those talking about not liking the signature of copper connectors are once again wrong........., as my cravings earlier on shows I've in hindsight preferred the sound of copper having always exchanged the RCA jacks on either my phono-stage | Dacs | integrated amps as well as binding post ( where permitted ) to the likes of connectors from WBT | Edison Price as well as Cardas Audio, as well banana plugs.
So while the Neotech PC-313 ( G ) AC Plug is on route, I'll merely go full circle and pursue a set of both said copper IeGO Dreamworks | Viborg VF ( aluminum shell ) range and readjust my line of thinking, and judge each on their own merits.
Thanks once again for being the voice of logic.
O_o
Hi atkinsonrr, glad your projects are such a success. Perhaps you'll obtain a bigger bottom-end, or at least more articulate bass via an affordable Viborg VE01R rhodium-plated pure copper Schuko socket.What make/model or type of Schuko sockets do you use at this time? If mundane products are currently being used, and you upgrade all the Schuko sockets in your system, you'll likely appreciate the results.
Rhodium-plated pure copper Viborg AC connectors sound very good, with a substantially more vivid sonic signature than the unplated copper Viborg AC connectors, of which I prefer for general use.
See link:
Edits: 10/02/20
Hi Duster -- Those are some good looking power sockets! I wish I could use them. Unfortunately or fortunately, I am running my system thru the Vibex Granada with its 11 Schukos. And the Granada is built in such a why that it essentially becomes all one solid piece of resin with sockets that can not be removed or switched out for others.However the wall socket feeding the Granada is a Furutech FI-E30 NCF(R) rhodium unit. The IEC inlets on Preamp and on the DAC are Furutech FI-06 NCF(R) rhodium units as well. I also purchased two of the new style Viborg rhodium over Cu male Schukos and IEC plugs that are in use on the Black Mamba power cables to Preamp and DAC. I use the Au over Cu leGo plugs on the Acoustic Revive cable feeding the Granada and on the Acoustic Revive cable from Granada to the power amp. I also have an unplated red copper Viborg Schuko/IEC set.
For some reason I intuited that the Rhodium sockets, male schukos and IECs would better serve the upstream boxes. If you have findings regarding where best to use unplated vs gold plated vs rhodium plated copper power connectors please let me know. I will change my cables and connectors to where the various connector materials will do the most good. Thanks again for your kind advice.
Edits: 10/02/20
I recommend that you try this, atkinsonrr.
Re-terminate some of the power cords. That way you'll have more flavors to choose from.
Place the various power cords with a configuration that sounds best to your ear.
Try this configuration first:
1. 8800 with gold IeGO for the PLC.
2. 8800 with unplated Viborg for the power amp.
3. BMV2 with gold IeGO for the preamp.
4. BMV2 with rhodium Viborg for the DAC.
Well, I got the connectors switched around this morning. SQ definitely improved. Again I'm amazed that changing power plugs can make such a difference. But not sure I would have heard the changes this clearly before my recent DAC change to the Terminator which is a very resolving beast.
The change in using the Viborg raw copper on 8800 feeding the amp and ieGo gold instead of Viborg rhodium on the Mamba feeding the preamp are in the direction of body, roundness, lack of hardness in the sound. I think this is the number one attribute I look for in a system, so I am happy.
Knowing what it did on the preamp, I went ahead and also tried ieGo gold on both ends of the Mamba feeding the DAC. For now its sounding very very good! As mentioned earlier I have Furutech rhodium IEC inlets on DAC and Preamp. Perhaps the rhodium IEC inlets when paired with rhodium plugs is a bit too much of the 'rhodium factor'?
I find mating gold with rhodium often provides what you describe, offering the best of both worlds, so to speak. Gold on gold can sound a bit too lush, while rhodium on rhodium can sound a bit too artificial and cold. Unplated copper tends to provide the most neutral and detailed presentation, with the metal plating of the various AC outlets involved providing either neutrality, warmth, or vividness while still sounding natural as the goal. This matter can be system dependent, but in general the mix and match approach, including in what order various power cords and AC connectors/AC outlets are placed can make a big impact on the presentation. I've been doing this type of thing for many years, so educated guesses and gut instinct helps to provide advice for folks who seek insights about their AC delivery gear. You have an impressive audio system, and you deserve to fully enjoy it, atkinsonrr.
Thanks again, Duster.
OT wasn't rhodium in used in microscope / telescope mirrors years ago?
regards,
Apparently a number of metals are used, based on the application and environmental issues.
See link:
*whew* there's a lot going on there! nice link, thanks
haven't visited that subject in a few decades
regards,
Thanks Duster, will give your suggestion a try. Will only need two changes:
-- Switch from Gold IeGOs to Unplated Viborgs on the 8800 feeding power amp;
-- Switch from Rhodium Viborgs to Gold IeGOs on the Mamba feeding preamp.
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: