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REVIEW: DIY by Chris VenHaus DIY Mains Power Cables Cable

Posted by niakapa on January 21, 2021 at 19:11:07:

Model: DIY Mains Power Cables
Category: Cable
Suggested Retail Price: $0
Description: DIY Mains Power Cables
Manufacturer URL: DIY by Chris VenHaus
Model Picture: View
Review by niakapa on January 21, 2021 at 19:11:07
IP Address: 173.71.97.11 Add Your Review
for the DIY Mains Power Cables
I made the following: two Flavor 1 cables for DAC (Bricasti M1SE) and streamer (M5), and three flavor 2 cables (for Folsom 7293 amp and the subwoofer amps built into my Spatial Audio X3 speakers). The sound is totally transformed.

I must admit I was a "flat earther" for several decades who couldn't imagine how cables should cost more than 30-40 dollars. The VH Audio cables are a low-cost way to see if your system

To check the effect of cables I made his flavor 1 cord for my DAC using the cheapest Wattgate connectors. This already improved the sound hugely (did an A/B for my wife and she was also v. surprised at the change). I was then motivated to replace the connectors with Furutech F11's which was even better. At that point I realized my preconceptions about cables were wrong and I went all in and replaced all the cables. For the amp I went with Furutech F11s and the other three cables got Viborg pure copper connectors.

The biggest change was from DAC followed by amp. The others were noticeable but subtle. But the overall sound is very coherent now from top to bottom. I also replaced the wall outlet with the Furutech Cu outlet.

SOme tips for others: (i) feel free to write to Chris for suggestions and advice. He usually gets back the same day. (ii) if you don't want to waste time and have the money, go for Furutech connectors. Viborg and Wattgate were more annoying to work with. I even stripped the screw on the wattgate and it now appears to be useless. (iii) Chris gives good advice on what plating to get for which component. (iv) The cables need to burn in quite a while. I made a simple cable cooker by inserting the power cables (sometimes strung together ) in the power line for my basement fridge. (v) The flavor 2 cord uses a rubber hose that is a challenge to fit in any of the connectors. It took me a long time to realize that you should use a clamp (even a big paper clamp) to slightly clamp down on the hose as you try tighten the screws on the connector. This reduces its diameter in the direction where you're trying to get the connector clamps to push down too. Clamp down the connector screw tightly to secure the hose before trying to finish screwing back the AC connector. (vi) Some of his Furutech bulk cables are not much more expensive than Flavor 2 material and for short cables it may be much faster (maybe by half an hour) to just use those. In hindsight I'd go that route than Flavor 2, just for ease of use and also better look in the finished product.

That said, it is great that the DIY route allows you to try various combinations and upgrade the pieces you like.
Product Weakness: Needs good finishing and extra work if you want it to look good. It is best if the power cord is out of sight (which is the case in my system) and then you can just finish with duct tape or whatever.
Product Strengths: Excellent quality for the price!
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Folsom 7293 DIY
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Bricasti M1 SE Dac
Speakers: Spatial Audio X3
Cables/Interconnects: VH Audio DIY SIlver interconnect
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical and Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 25 x 16 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: GIK Acoustics Alpha Behind speakers
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2-3 weeks
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Model:	DIY Mains Power Cables
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$0
Description:	DIY Mains Power Cables
Manufacturer URL:	DIY by Chris VenHaus
Model Picture:	View

Product Weakness:	Needs good finishing and extra work if you want it to look good. It is best if the power cord is out of sight (which is the case in my system) and then you can just finish with duct tape or whatever.
Product Strengths:	Excellent quality for the price!

Amplifier:	Folsom 7293 DIY
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Bricasti M1 SE Dac
Speakers:	Spatial Audio X3
Cables/Interconnects:	VH Audio DIY SIlver interconnect
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical and Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	25 x 16 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	GIK Acoustics Alpha Behind speakers
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2-3 weeks
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner