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REVIEW: Viborg MBU1501 Power Cord Cable

Model:	MBU1501 Power Cord
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$127.00
Description:	Spiral Super Litz
Manufacturer URL:	Viborg
Model Picture:	View

Review by Jon L on December 15, 2021 at 09:03:16 IP Address: 76.87.201.57

Add Your Review for the MBU1501 Power Cord

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*Shoutout to Duster

Having made numerous DIY power cords over the years, some excellent some mediocre, it's nice to have a pre-made commercial option that offers tremendous performance to price ratio in that DIY spirit. Viborg MBU1501 uses very unusual build materials with proven-from-experience sonic qualities associated with these attributes. Analyzing from DIYer's perspective:

Solid core copper conductors

Viborg uses 7 different AWG solid core copper conductors, 16 in individual litz configuration. IME, solid core copper tends to yield a more dense, robust sound, especially in the midrange. Check. Finely stranded copper can sound airier in treble but often does not have the same clear, dense midrange. Viborg does sound a bit less airy or velvety at the very top, but only when compared to very thin ribbon conductors (i.e. Omega Mikro) or lower AWG silver conductors.

Teflon dielectric

Each solid core strand is encased in teflon, which is a difficult configuration to find in DIY world. Tinned copper or silver-plated copper is the norm, usually stranded with the associated sound signature of their own. Teflon directly on solid core copper tends to increase the sense of clarity, detail, albeit sometimes at the cost of "too-revealing" or "ruthless" mid-treble/upper-midrange for poorer recordings. Those looking for a more laid-back, "smoother," relaxing sound should look elsewhere.

Shielding

Viborg has 100% copper shielding. When I make DIY cords, I often make both shielded and unshielded versions, often experimenting with varying the distance between shield and conductors. Most of the time, I prefer unshielded versions which tend to a stronger sense of sparkle, air yet being smoother. Put a shield on it, and low-treble/upper-mids become more prominent therefore seemingly more detailed, yet the sense of effortless air and sparkle at high treble decreases. Viborg hits a decent balance here, leaning toward detailed, forward mids, but I would like to try a version without the shielding for comparison.

Lack of PVC

Viborg does not use PVC in construction. IME, PVC blurs transients and detail. Viborg uses polyethylene to separate the two conductor legs and also to separate the legs from shield. Then using teflon as primary dielectric, we have no blur or slowness. Check.

Helix Geometry

DIYers will argue forever about which geometry is superior in which cable application, etc. Until I can try this same cable in different geometries, there is not much to say about this right now. However, compared to certain high-AWG star-quad designs, Viborg seems slightly less in level in the true sub-bass. But this has the effect of making what's above it (upper/mid bass) sound more taught and punchy, great for modern music.

Conclusion and Wishes/Wants

For the price I paid on sale, I do not believe I can buy a commercial cord or build a DIY cable that can outperform the Viborg MBU1501. If your system and tastes lean toward above description, Viborg will embarass many high-dollar audiophile cables. For those tube guys, the Viborg reminds me a lot of sonic character of Takatsuki 300B tube, detailed, vivid, dynamic, and rich. If I could order a custom cable from Viborg, I may want to try something with foamed-teflon dielectric instead of solid teflon, solid core silver instead of copper (not for necessarily "better" sound but for different signature and system tuning), and version with no shield. But who knows if that special version would actually be superior?

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Product Weakness:	Slight lack of air and refined smoothness
Product Strengths:	Detailed, vivid, dynamic, and rich

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	see inmate system
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	see inmate system
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	see inmate system
Speakers:	see inmate system
Cables/Interconnects:	see inmate system
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	see inmate system
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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