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I am currently auditioning new power cords for my Manley Steelhead phono section. The cord presently on the unit is a PS Audio Xstream Statement (about 3 years old). The VH Audio AirSine (gold wattgate) and the Python Helix Alpha both did something somewhat similar: smoother high end, slightly improved soundstage, slightly improved image placement. The odd thing was, they both significantly reduced the impact and dynamics of the instruments. They both definitely added easily identifiable refinement to the sound, but at the cost of a sense of acceleration.I have noted that the PS Audios and the Audience Power Chord seem to retain the dynamics, but neither is the best on soundstaging and detail, although I have not tried the new line of PS Audio stuff. Anyone found anything that does both well? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Follow Ups:
The Furutech Rhodiums or Oyaide Gold/Palladiums on the AirSine, should get you to where you want to be. Many like the Gold WattGates in SS systems because they have a bit more warmth, and put a bit more "meat on the bones". However, for tubes, the Rhodium Furus, Oyaide Palldiums, or even the Oyaide gold/gold might be a better fit for this piece.I've been a drummer/percussionist for nearly 27 years, and place great emphasis on the accurate reproduction in this area. It's much more difficult to nail percussion and cymbals accurately, and a better barometer of a system's performance than the usual "female vocal" references many refer to, IMHO.
nt
The Black Sand Cable Violet Z1, even in stock form (Marinco terminations), is phenomenal. And it's not hideously expensive.I tried one on a solid-state (Symfonia Opus 10) and SET (Larry Moore 10 Squared) amp.... I'm going to try the Wattgate version on the source and line components.
Power cords have been "reference by committee" in my systems, but I may have finally found a true reference.
The interesting aspect of Black Sand Cable is the company makes power cords exclusively. Nothing else. Not even other types of audio cables.
Glad to see you like the Violet. I have two of them in my system right now, but I think I need one more..
Or is there some flexibility?
The one that will fill your needs is the TG Audio SLVR. Great focus, dynamics, and air.
I don't have direct experience of the PS Audio Xstream Statement power cord (nor the Shunyata Python Helix Alpha), only the AirSine, so my thoughts may not be as qualitative as perhaps they should be in order to toss in my 2 cents here (so please just consider this post as a being a hypothetical possibility and open for debate).As sherod mentioned, it could very well be that what you like about the PS Audio Xstream Statement per dynamics (and associated PRAT) when placed on your phono section is a matter of component synergy. On the other hand, it could be a matter of affect/artifact. The AirSine is well known for it's subjectively accurate rendition of macro/micro dynamics (in great part due to it's transparency and associated lack of glare), so it's possible that the primary issue as it pertains to the perception of this particular listening cue might simply be your personal listening wants/needs rather than what is perhaps truly accurate reproduction vs. the AirSine's presentation when placed on your phono section.
As you know, an analog phono section is not capable of a digital medium's very wide dynamic range. An audiophile's listening habituation can become accustomed to audio playback that sounds "more dynamic" as being more desirable, even if it's not a truly accurate reproduction of the program material involved during the evaluation process. When both vinyl and digital gear is placed in a particular audio system, this issue can become even more pronounced. Could it be that the PS Audio Xstream Statement is presenting a somewhat euphonic portrayal of "dynamic energy" or PRAT, at least partially due to a certain level of glare caused by it's nickel plated AC connectors?
Something to consider is how glare affects perceived dynamics. When harmonic information is excited, a notable increase in what is perceived as dynamics is often a result. When a level of glare is eliminated, the presentation tends to be less "energetic" so more relaxed comparison, while a greater delineation of dynamic nuance on both the micro and macro level can often be better perceived due to a lowered noise floor. More subtle is sometimes what is more accurate.
As mentioned, I don't have direct experience of the PS Audio Xstream Statement power cord, so I don't have proper knowledge of it's particular sonic signature when placed on a phono section or otherwise. However, if you find the AirSine to provide better soundstaging, image placement, and detail, I would take this as an indication of a higher-fidelity presentation vs. the perceived greater dynamic energy/PRAT that the PS Audio Xstream Statement seems to provide.
just fuel for thought...
I don't think my assessments are based on any inaccurate, subjective needs. I have been producing live music for 37 years and have owned a recording studio for over 22. When you stand in the same room as a snare drum, it produces a palpable snap. What I have found is that there are many products (including the two that I mention) that seem to reproduce the last ounce of detail at the cost of this sense of presence and motion. In other words, while the "microdynamics" are there, a tonally accurate snare just seems to hang there rather than moving out and producing the bang you get if you have ever really stood near the stage (or behind a drum kit). With both of these products, I got the same result, albeit to a varying degree, with my phono section, a tube power amp, a CD player and a DAC. So, I doubt that this is a synergy issue. It seems there is something in the physics that produces a trade-off between PRaT and ultimate detail.
Hi astralpen, I did not mean to offend you. If I did such, I simply (with humble disclaimers) wished to posture a possibility. Perhaps my gold Wattgate terminated AirSine is as lacking in PRAT for any application (I hope not). Anyway, my background as a professional drummer with much experience on stage and in studio is on the same page as yours (and Chris VH's), so I wish you well... Cheers, Duster :-)
No worries...no offense taken. Cheers :-)
Did you make sure that both new power cords were fully broken in? One of the things lacking until about 150 hours of break-in is dynamics. But even then, it is all about system synergy and you just have to find the right cord that clicks with each component. I have read that PS Audio's new cords are a big improvement over their previous versions. You might try to audition one from a local dealer in your hometown. Good luck.
I have had some experience that led me to believe that the AC cable with most dynamic performance changes depending on the piece of equipment that is hooked up to. I have in my collection: Audience Powerchord, Virtual Dynamics Testament, Crump DIY, Chimera Labs DIY solid core 18 gage weave both 4 and 6 strand examples(non 3rd prong ground).The cord that works best on my amp Curcio ST-70 is the Virtual Dynamics. It severly chokes the dynamics on my Van Alstine SuperPas3x preamp. The best cord on this preamp is the Chimera Diy 6 core.
I have a pet theory that the power supply current draw characteristics make the difference. Whether a device is solid state rectified, tube rectified, or is swtich mode might be significant.
I would be interested if other people noticed this phenomenon.
HowdyYep, I used Shunyata Tiapans on my power amps, but they didn't sound as good as the TGAudio HSR SLVRs on my transport or Switchman preamp and visa-versa. On my old sub liked the TGAudio better, but my new one I like the Tiapan...
It's good to have a selection of cords lying around to audition new things with :)
-Ted
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