General Asylum: REVIEW: Silver Audio WattMaster Cable by Todd Krieger

Model:	WattMaster
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$525 / 2-meter
Description:	Power Cord
Manufacturer URL:	Silver Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by Todd Krieger ( A ) on December 03, 2004 at 22:52:11
IP Address: 68.106.53.212

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The Silver Audio WattMaster is Max Kreifeldt's assault at the state-of-the-art in power cords. The WattMaster has several unique design parameters, most notably Mu-Metal shielding around the individual conductors to minimize EMI/RFI interference and emissions. The 8-gauge copper in all three conductors are terminated with WattGate connectors. This thick power cord almost has the appearance of a gray garden hose.
In the past, I've always deemed audiophile power cords as a "crapshoot" in regard to effects on a component's or system's sonics. Very few cords in my experiences have **consistently** brought improved performance. (The original ESP Essence is such a cord, and maybe the Virtual Dynamics products.) But no power cord, until the WattMaster, has consistently brought a *marked* improvement to each component I've tried it with. And the marked improvement?? Like the better cords, there is both extension at the frequency extremes and an absence of emphasis in any part of the spectrum. But most-importantly, unlike other cords I've tried in the past, there appears to be a distinctly-improved sense of musicality and palpability that is reminiscent of how I perceived audio before the digital age... A musical acuity that helps the listener appreciate the uniqueness of a performance. He listens more to the artist's talent and genius, less to the equipment.
The down-side?? To be honest, this is one of those rarified products where I haven't been able to pick out sonic flaws- It makes it easy to pick out sonics flaws in other power cords, be it a slightly closed-in top and "sterile" character of the Wegrsyn Silver Slam to the slightly thick midrange and flattened soundstage of the Virtual Dynamics Nite II to the colored bass of the latest ESP Essence. (These are all excellent power cords. I have not tried the Elrods or TG SLVR.) The down-side is like many "mega cords," the WattMaster is a bear to maneuver from mains socket to IEC socket. If the orientation of the socket is 180 out from the plug, you'll have some major resistance in rotating it. But who says superior sonics must be convenient to use?? This is a hard-core audiophile product.
To sum up, you may want to upgrade your amplifier, your CD player, or even your speakers. But if your upgrade bug can potentially set you back several grand, you may want to instead try one or two of these Silver Audio WattMaster power cords. For these cords might make you opt to enjoy what you currently have. And maybe save you some green. Bravo Max!!!

Product Weakness: Cord is very thick, somewhat stiff, and difficult to work with physically. Disagreeing socket orientations could be exasperating.
Product Strengths: The electrical integrity and noise/RFI rejection provided by this power cord enables equipment to provide a clean window to the music. Brings in a sense of musical acuity reminiscent of the pre-digital age. Markedly superior performance. A state-of-the-art product, but only $525.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Larry Moore Ten Squared SET, Symfonia Opus 10
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Eastern Audio Minimax Modified, Sonic Euphoria PLC
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teres/Redpoint/Schroeder/Zyx R1000/BRB 10 phono rig, JVC XLZ-1050/Prism DA-2 and GD UTP1/DIO digital rigs, H/K 930 FM Tuner
Speakers:	VSA VR-4.5 Mod 5, Decware HDT
Cables/Interconnects:	Belden 88281 Interconnects, Silverline Audio, DH Labs speaker cables. Audiovox coax and Van Den Hul Toslink digital links, Crescendo, ESP, Harm Tech, VD Nite, Wegrsyn Silver Slam power cords.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything
Room Size (LxWxH):	Multiiple Rooms x x
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	VansEvers, TrippLite regulation; Bybee, ZeroZurge protectors.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Cord is very thick, somewhat stiff, and difficult to work with physically. Disagreeing socket orientations could be exasperating.
Product Strengths:	The electrical integrity and noise/RFI rejection provided by this power cord enables equipment to provide a clean window to the music. Brings in a sense of musical acuity reminiscent of the pre-digital age. Markedly superior performance. A state-of-the-art product, but only $525.