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Best Inexpensive AC cables

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Posted on June 24, 2024 at 19:47:14
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4435
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 Thoughts on inexpensive AC cables? Two questions. Best for the dollar reasonably priced? Least costly yet still good cables. My main audio values, dynamic linearity and great detail.

 

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RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on June 24, 2024 at 20:45:34
Chris K.
Audiophile

Posts: 410
Location: West Central Florida
Joined: August 15, 2001
 What is your definition of inexpensive? What is the maximum price you want to pay?

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on June 25, 2024 at 18:55:37
niws
Audiophile

Posts: 808
Location: Northeast
Joined: September 4, 2003
 I use the original Volex 17604 on my gear that can benefit from an aftermarket cord. The problem is I have read some comments that the current version of the Volex may not be the same. I have only compared the Volex to an entry level Pangea and the Iron Lung Jellyfish and I thought the Volex is a little better. YMMV
A friend whose ears I trust recently tried the Monosaudio cords and claimed they sounded better than the stock cords that came with his Odyssey amps.

 

Volex 17604, posted on June 25, 2024 at 19:45:00
Jon L
Audiophile

Posts: 6168
Joined: April 6, 2000
 Funny you mention the Volex 17604. I just recently put the Volex 17604 (the old one with brass plugs) back in one of my systems, and it still impresses me as sounding very balanced, even, and neutral, even compared to some very nice audiophile cords. Some cords have much more bass energy and power, some more sparkly detail, some more seeming speed, but the old Volex is a great neutral canvas on which to paint.

The result may be different if music was recorded/mastered/produced using different type cords, in which case Volex type cords wouldn't sound so naturally balanced and familiar to our ears IMO.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on June 30, 2024 at 06:31:59
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021
 You need first to figure out what gauge is the best for your equipment. It is more important.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on June 30, 2024 at 07:17:15
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021
 Second, you need to fix your 120V power supply. Either a dedicated line or a power re-generator.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on June 30, 2024 at 19:23:22
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4435
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 I have a regenerator for everything but the power amp. I'm currently using Pangea cables, large gauge for the regenerator. I just wonder if spending a bit more will make a difference.

For what it's worth I am hugely aware that dynamics are influenced by fast current supply especially since I believe dynamic linearity is the most fundamental factor in life like reproduction.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on June 30, 2024 at 19:51:46
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021
 Which regenerator do you have? I have a Pangea (7 awg?) which I don't like. Is the power cord for your power amp? How many watts? Gauge size really matters.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 1, 2024 at 20:42:17
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4435
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 A second generation PS Audio. Amp is a Sunfire 300 watt but with a captive AC cord plugged into an old AC filter but with separate outputs for high current devices designed for amps. The amp is the only device on this filter.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 2, 2024 at 18:01:19
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021
 I feel pretty bad today because they (US government) torture me.

I guess 10 AWG is ok.

1. Pangea 7 awg. unlistenable

2. custom power cord company model 11. Highly recommended by JM from Stereophile. Emphasizes leading edge and has a bloated mid bass. I don't use it.

3. Volex 17604. Heated up and almost melt.

4. Signal cable power cord. Has a black background. There are some holes in the soundstage. Pretty good.

5. Shunyata Venom-HC. Very natural sound and I like it.

A power cord doesn't benefit the sound. They damage sound (especially the thick ones).

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 3, 2024 at 03:24:37
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021
 The power regenerator I was talking about is AC -> DC -> AC. I am not talking about power conditioners and filters.


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Human rights. US government/agent stop torture me (a tax payer and a citizen). Stop using sonic weapon.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 5, 2024 at 19:21:51
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4435
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 The PS Audio is AC to DC to AC. PS Audio is one of the largest producers of AC regenerators.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 7, 2024 at 12:44:06
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021



I have a PurePower+ regenerator feeding my class A power AMPs. It makes positive differences. I like it.


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Human rights. US government/agent stop torturing me (a tax payer and a citizen). Stop using sonic weapon.

 

Cables Damage sound?, posted on July 8, 2024 at 05:54:24
mbrierley
Audiophile

Posts: 104
Location: Wexford
Joined: December 30, 2021
 Que?

Like someone else said, cost is subjective. I had great results with Oyaide Tunami 2 cables 10AWG, bags of details not so much dynamics. $100

Current preferred cable is Neotech 3001 silver plated OCC copper, 10AWG for amp and 3003 for source. Bags of details and dynamics. ~$130 for the 10AWG and ~$80 for the 13AWG.

I have a Pangea cable on my turntable. Nothing to compare it to as its my first turntable outing.

 

RE: Cables Damage sound?, posted on July 8, 2024 at 12:02:40
Leo loves music
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: October 14, 2021
 My AMPs have very high resolution and huge dynamics. I don't need a cable to fix them. Did I mention soundstage?


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Human rights. US government/agent stop torturing me (a tax payer and a citizen). Stop using sonic weapon.

 

RE: Cables Damage sound?, posted on July 8, 2024 at 20:53:04
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4435
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 It only takes one weak link to reduce the quality of reproduction. But if most of the gear is excellent, of course, the affect of the weak link is less.

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 10, 2024 at 22:41:39
MP62
Dealer

Posts: 91
Location: CA
Joined: November 15, 2020
 I think power cables improve the overall sound of any component - especially power amplifiers. Power conditioners may impress at first, but I think they suck the life out of the music.

As far as inexpensive cables, the NRG The Five is my favorite under $350. Very good bass foundation and neutral throughout the sound spectrum. Excellent sound stage too.

A cool review is listed below -

https://audiobacon.net/2019/08/17/27-audiophile-power-cables-reviewed/

 

RE: Best Inexpensive AC cables, posted on July 11, 2024 at 20:37:54
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4435
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 Many conditioners do suck the life out of amps due to high output impedance because of all the components conditioning the AC. But a regenerator with low output impedance can improve performance especially in areas with poor AC.

 

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