My power cord adventure - Blu-ray Forum

Gremal · 01-26-2009, 11:52 PM

This is real audiophile lunacy territory so those of you who think a stock cord is the same as any other cord might want to head to saner pastures.

My adventures in power cords started a long time ago when I was writing for Positive Feedback magazine. I forget how, but I came into possession of the Electraglide Fatman cord. It helped my amp open up, drive the speakers more effortlessly and sound more detailed than using the other cords I tried. But true to its name, the cord was very bulky and difficult to bend. I also wanted to use it to power my digital front end because it was audibly superior to my other cords. I got in touch with Scott Hall, who personally designs and handmakes all the cords for Electraglide and he agreed to take back my 6' Fatman and send me two 3' versions of his latest cord at the time, the Ultra Khan II statement. He charged me $700 but $350 for cords that listed for 10 times that seemed like a bargain. So I went for it and it turned out to be a good decision.

The new UKII cords sounded as good or better than the Fatman but I had two of them, so I could use them to power not just my amp but my disc machine for even more openness and detail. They were more flexible which allowed me to bend them around the back of my rack and plug them into the PS Audio Premier. Unfortunately, I bent one of them too much. After a while a connection must have loosened and it stopped working. At first I discovered that if I unplugged it, straightened it out and plugged it back in carefully, it would work. But that only fixed it two or three times and then it wouldn't work at all--that was about two years ago. I was so disappointed, I didn't even want to think about it, so I put it in a bag and left it in my cellar.

As I was looking for something down there last week, I found the bag with my UKII cord in it. I decided to be more proactive. Scott Hall was always "challenging" to deal with directly. He's a good guy. He just delays things a loooooooong time. I managed to find an audio shop in Georgia that functions as an exclusive dealer for Electraglide cords. My contact there is responsive and knowledgeable. He told me they'll get Scott to fix my cord and look into the possibility of upgrading it to the latest Electraglide model, the SOTU (State of the Union).

These cords will list for $3,000. Supposedly, they are just now being distributed. My contact says, "There are all sorts of new processes and components in the new line including natural unbleached cotton and organic dielectric materials and we truly can't believe our ears." Seems promising. I just need to know how much he's going to charge me to fix or upgrade my UKII!

Beta Man · 01-26-2009, 11:56 PM

sounds like you would have saved yourself a lot of cash by staying out of the attic

What was the length on the newest cable?

Clark Kent · 01-27-2009, 12:01 AM

I have always been afraid to invest in high quality power cords for fear they do little in reality. I do know of some audiophiles that swear by them. This would definitely be the last thing I would attempt at getting in an awesome sound system and make sure every other component is of the highest quality first.

naturephoto1 · 01-27-2009, 12:02 AM

Hi Gremal,

I know they are going to tear you apart here on Blu-ray.com about this. But, I agree that Power Cords can make a big audible difference with the right equipment. I use some high end, but much more modestly costing Power cords in the $395 to $495 range. But, these are made to spec for my supplier without much of the mark-up and largely come out of Taiwan (with lower material, much lower mark-up, and lower labor costs). So, we can get the products for much less than would normally be expected. I can send you a PM for a contact if you are interested. Hope those really expensive Power Cords turn out well for you.

Rich

Gremal · 01-27-2009, 12:09 AM

Thanks for the offer, Rich, but I've tried a lot of cords and I like Electra Glides the best. I wouldn't use anything else--at least not for my amp and preferably not on my digital either. If they want to charge me too much for an upgrade to the SOTU, I may just opt for fixing my UKII, which would just be a small fee, according to my contact in Georgia.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

What was the length on the newest cable?

They can make the cord any length you need. Obviously, the longer cords are more expensive because they use more materials.

Big Daddy · 01-27-2009, 12:15 AM

PS Audio, the maker of Power Plant conditioner, also makes high-end power cables.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/l...gory/classics/
http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/l.../power-cables/
http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/

JimShaw · 01-27-2009, 12:17 AM

I am just a novice in this area buy how can power cords make a difference in PQ and AQ in an upgraded surround system? Wouldn't it be better to spend the $3,000 on upgrading speakers??

I have read other threads that have discussed expensive power cords and some people swear by them but they seem to be the people that purchased the cords but they may need to help convence themself that the money spent was worth it.

Someday, maybe I can test an expensive cord so that I can be convinced to purchase a few myself.

aramis109 · 01-27-2009, 12:25 AM

While I won't comment on my opinion of high-end power cables, I will say that I would give heavy pause to putting any more money into a product that broke when it was bent "too much" when much, much cheaper products are far more durable. Part of the price should be inherent in its durability.

Crazy looking cable though.

Gremal · 01-27-2009, 12:28 AM

Big Daddy just posted links to PS Audio.

That company produced a video called "From Coal to Coltrane" that takes you through the development of electric power and interviews many audio notables who discuss the fact that the electricity feeding your gear greatly impacts its performance. If you're curious about this, try to get your hands on the DVD--it has horrible audio and video, but it's very informative.

Beta Man · 01-27-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimShaw

I am just a novice in this area buy how can power cords make a difference in PQ and AQ in an upgraded surround system? Wouldn't it be better to spend the $3,000 on upgrading speakers??
.

Cleaner power lends to cleaner signal....

as far as $3,000 towards speakers..... well, when all other upgrades have been exhausted, there are always other places you can spend money to get marginal increases in performance

Many will claim there is a huge difference in speaker wire, others will claim there is NO difference at at...... Some will claim Upconverted DVDs look identical to Blu-ray..... others will say they're blind.... some people spend half their day moving their speakers fractions of inches at a time.....

It's a hobby.... although I'm not to the point of experimentation with speaker cables and power cords, I "Get it" and understand why someone would continue to seek out audible improvements.

Beta Man · 01-27-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

--it has horrible audio and video, but it's very informative.

The definition of "Irony" at it's finest

mdabb · 01-27-2009, 12:49 AM

Hey Gremal,

What PC's are you currently using, Electraglide or stock ???

Could you explain exactly what a person is to listen for when switching PC's, anything specific that is a tell tale sign ???

I have upgraded a couple of my stock PC's with Audioquest ones so far, one on my Pass amp and another on my ModWright pre-amp. Mainly I did this to shorten the length of the cables and beef it up and add better shielding. I plan on replacing the PC and umbilical cord to my modified Sony/ Modwright Instruments 9100ES CDP as well but haven't decided on what.

I haven't done any comparison listening yet, but wonder if you could offer a few pointers on what you listen for or how you approach this ???

Now I know many people will have a field trip with this thread and hope it doesn't get out of hand, but please keep an open mind and let those who enjoy tweaking and being auiophools have a simple discussion, PLEASE !!!

I am a very skeptical person yet I keep an open mind as a "LOT" of people do say they hear a difference whether it be for better or worse.

I have done some swapping of IC's and speaker cables and do notice that these cables can influence sound, again for better or worse. For example, I have a pair of Nordost Red Dawn IC's that I don't use because I feel the impacted my system in a negative way (to me). The sound is lacking or more sterile, not much but enough to where they are currently not in use. Perhaps I need to let them stay a while longer and see if that changes. Could be they don't blend well with my gear, etc....

naturephoto1 · 01-27-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdabb

Hey Gremal,

What PC's are you currently using, Electraglide or stock ???

Could you explain exactly what a person is to listen for when switching PC's, anything specific that is a tell tale sign ???

I have upgraded a couple of my stock PC's with Audioquest ones so far, one on my Pass amp and another on my ModWright pre-amp. Mainly I did this to shorten the length of the cables and beef it up and add better shielding. I plan on replacing the PC and umbilical cord to my modified Sony/ Modwright Instruments 9100ES CDP as well but haven't decided on what.

I haven't done any comparison listening yet, but wonder if you could offer a few pointers on what you listen for or how you approach this ???

Now I know many people will have a field trip with this thread and hope it doesn't get out of hand, but please keep an open mind and let those who enjoy tweaking and being auiophools have a simple discussion, PLEASE !!!

I am a very skeptical person yet I keep an open mind as a "LOT" of people do say they hear a difference whether it be for better or worse.

I have done some swapping of IC's and speaker cables and do notice that these cables can influence sound, again for better or worse. For example, I have a pair of Nordost Red Dawn IC's that I don't use because I feel the impacted my system in a negative way (to me). The sound is lacking or more sterile, not much but enough to where they are currently not in use. Perhaps I need to let them stay a while longer and see if that changes. Could be they don't blend well with my gear, etc....

Hi Andrew,

Some of what I have experienced (and I believe that I am hearing this) is increased bass and more percussive sound along with greater air (and blackness), depth, improved imaging and soundstage, more detail and clarity to the performance, and more relaxed and naturalness and less harshness.

Rich

mdabb · 01-27-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

PS Audio, the maker of Power Plant conditioner, also makes high-end power cables.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/l...gory/classics/
http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/l.../power-cables/
http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/

The company that makes PS Audio PC's also made ones identical spec wise and similar in appearance and sold them for much cheaper. Can't remember what they are called but I will have to think.

JimShaw · 01-27-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

It's a hobby.... although I'm not to the point of experimentation with speaker cables and power cords, I "Get it" and understand why someone would continue to seek out audible improvements.

I also "Get it". It is a hobby. Even not knowing if a $3,000 power cord would make a difference, I sure want to test it. But the trouble is: If I did notice a difference my hobby would want to to get one also.

I better leave well enough alone.

naturephoto1 · 01-27-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimShaw

I also "Get it". It is a hobby. Even not knowing if a $3,000 power cord would make a difference, I sure want to test it. But the trouble is: If I did notice a difference my hobby would want to to get one also.

I better leave well enough alone.

Hi Jim,

As we have discussed previously, try a much more inexpensive option first that has a trial period first.

Rich

mdabb · 01-27-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi Andrew,

Some of what I have experienced (and I believe that I am hearing this) is increased bass and more percussive sound along with greater air (and blackness), depth, improved imaging and soundstage, more detail and clarity to the performance, and more relaxed and naturalness and less harshness.

Rich

It's kind of hard for me to tell if my upgraded PC's are having an influence on sound as I am using some tube gear and since tubes add that special charm to the sound. Right now I am experiencing some harshness in some female vocals and I need to swap some tubes to try and eliminate this. I just can't locate the ones I would like to have for my CDP from a reputable supplier. Hopefully being patient will pay off and then I can continue upgrading the rest of my PC's.

JimShaw · 01-27-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi Jim,

As we have discussed previously, try a much more inexpensive option first that has a trial period first.

Rich

Rich

That is what I will do but as I said, if it does seem better, I will have to get ready to spend more $$$. Damn, this hobby is expensive.

naturephoto1 · 01-27-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdabb

It's kind of hard for me to tell if my upgraded PC's are having an influence on sound as I am using some tube gear and since tubes add that special charm to the sound. Right now I am experiencing some harshness in some female vocals and I need to swap some tubes to try and eliminate this. I just can't locate the ones I would like to have for my CDP from a reputable supplier. Hopefully being patient will pay off and then I can continue upgrading the rest of my PC's.

Andrew,

Unfortunately it does come down to some experimentation of putting the PCs in and taking them out of certain pieces if you really want to check. Like everything else in the system, when things work it cumulative, when it doesn't then....

Rich

naturephoto1 · 01-27-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimShaw

Rich

That is what I will do but as I said, if it does seem better, I will have to get ready to spend more $$$. Damn, this hobby is expensive.

Jim,

Any changes that you can do can be done slowly. You may want to check piece by piece where you hear the most difference. Then, replace the one or ones that you hear the most improvement first and others later. Another trick to this is if you get more expensive power cords is to use them where they have the most effect. As you upgrade, pass the lower quality upgraded PCs down the line. It will probably still improve the sound, but will save you some money. In some ways, it is the same idea of replacing amps or speakers in a system. Move the lesser item to the less important part of the system.

Rich

01-26-2009, 11:52 PM	#1
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	My power cord adventure This is real audiophile lunacy territory so those of you who think a stock cord is the same as any other cord might want to head to saner pastures. My adventures in power cords started a long time ago when I was writing for Positive Feedback magazine. I forget how, but I came into possession of the Electraglide Fatman cord. It helped my amp open up, drive the speakers more effortlessly and sound more detailed than using the other cords I tried. But true to its name, the cord was very bulky and difficult to bend. I also wanted to use it to power my digital front end because it was audibly superior to my other cords. I got in touch with Scott Hall, who personally designs and handmakes all the cords for Electraglide and he agreed to take back my 6' Fatman and send me two 3' versions of his latest cord at the time, the Ultra Khan II statement. He charged me $700 but $350 for cords that listed for 10 times that seemed like a bargain. So I went for it and it turned out to be a good decision. The new UKII cords sounded as good or better than the Fatman but I had two of them, so I could use them to power not just my amp but my disc machine for even more openness and detail. They were more flexible which allowed me to bend them around the back of my rack and plug them into the PS Audio Premier. Unfortunately, I bent one of them too much. After a while a connection must have loosened and it stopped working. At first I discovered that if I unplugged it, straightened it out and plugged it back in carefully, it would work. But that only fixed it two or three times and then it wouldn't work at all--that was about two years ago. I was so disappointed, I didn't even want to think about it, so I put it in a bag and left it in my cellar. As I was looking for something down there last week, I found the bag with my UKII cord in it. I decided to be more proactive. Scott Hall was always "challenging" to deal with directly. He's a good guy. He just delays things a loooooooong time. I managed to find an audio shop in Georgia that functions as an exclusive dealer for Electraglide cords. My contact there is responsive and knowledgeable. He told me they'll get Scott to fix my cord and look into the possibility of upgrading it to the latest Electraglide model, the SOTU (State of the Union). These cords will list for $3,000. Supposedly, they are just now being distributed. My contact says, "There are all sorts of new processes and components in the new line including natural unbleached cotton and organic dielectric materials and we truly can't believe our ears." Seems promising. I just need to know how much he's going to charge me to fix or upgrade my UKII!

01-27-2009, 12:15 AM	#6
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	PS Audio, the maker of Power Plant conditioner, also makes high-end power cables. http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/l...gory/classics/ http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/l.../power-cables/ http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/ Last edited by Big Daddy; 01-27-2009 at 12:30 AM.

01-27-2009, 12:17 AM	#7
JimShaw Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Menifee, CA 4K collection:49 Blu-ray collection:1069 Trading Score:141	I am just a novice in this area buy how can power cords make a difference in PQ and AQ in an upgraded surround system? Wouldn't it be better to spend the $3,000 on upgrading speakers?? I have read other threads that have discussed expensive power cords and some people swear by them but they seem to be the people that purchased the cords but they may need to help convence themself that the money spent was worth it. Someday, maybe I can test an expensive cord so that I can be convinced to purchase a few myself. Last edited by JimShaw; 01-27-2009 at 12:20 AM.

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01-26-2009, 11:56 PM	#2
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	sounds like you would have saved yourself a lot of cash by staying out of the attic What was the length on the newest cable?

01-27-2009, 12:01 AM	#3
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	I have always been afraid to invest in high quality power cords for fear they do little in reality. I do know of some audiophiles that swear by them. This would definitely be the last thing I would attempt at getting in an awesome sound system and make sure every other component is of the highest quality first.

01-27-2009, 12:02 AM	#4
naturephoto1 Blu-ray Ninja Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Breinigsville, PA Home Theater Gallery:260 4K collection:21 Blu-ray collection:263	Hi Gremal, I know they are going to tear you apart here on Blu-ray.com about this. But, I agree that Power Cords can make a big audible difference with the right equipment. I use some high end, but much more modestly costing Power cords in the $395 to $495 range. But, these are made to spec for my supplier without much of the mark-up and largely come out of Taiwan (with lower material, much lower mark-up, and lower labor costs). So, we can get the products for much less than would normally be expected. I can send you a PM for a contact if you are interested. Hope those really expensive Power Cords turn out well for you. Rich

01-27-2009, 12:25 AM	#8
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	While I won't comment on my opinion of high-end power cables, I will say that I would give heavy pause to putting any more money into a product that broke when it was bent "too much" when much, much cheaper products are far more durable. Part of the price should be inherent in its durability. Crazy looking cable though.

01-27-2009, 12:28 AM	#9
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	Big Daddy just posted links to PS Audio. That company produced a video called "From Coal to Coltrane" that takes you through the development of electric power and interviews many audio notables who discuss the fact that the electricity feeding your gear greatly impacts its performance. If you're curious about this, try to get your hands on the DVD--it has horrible audio and video, but it's very informative.

01-27-2009, 12:49 AM	#12
mdabb Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Trading Score:1	Hey Gremal, What PC's are you currently using, Electraglide or stock ??? Could you explain exactly what a person is to listen for when switching PC's, anything specific that is a tell tale sign ??? I have upgraded a couple of my stock PC's with Audioquest ones so far, one on my Pass amp and another on my ModWright pre-amp. Mainly I did this to shorten the length of the cables and beef it up and add better shielding. I plan on replacing the PC and umbilical cord to my modified Sony/ Modwright Instruments 9100ES CDP as well but haven't decided on what. I haven't done any comparison listening yet, but wonder if you could offer a few pointers on what you listen for or how you approach this ??? Now I know many people will have a field trip with this thread and hope it doesn't get out of hand, but please keep an open mind and let those who enjoy tweaking and being auiophools have a simple discussion, PLEASE !!! I am a very skeptical person yet I keep an open mind as a "LOT" of people do say they hear a difference whether it be for better or worse. I have done some swapping of IC's and speaker cables and do notice that these cables can influence sound, again for better or worse. For example, I have a pair of Nordost Red Dawn IC's that I don't use because I feel the impacted my system in a negative way (to me). The sound is lacking or more sterile, not much but enough to where they are currently not in use. Perhaps I need to let them stay a while longer and see if that changes. Could be they don't blend well with my gear, etc....

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