Australian Plug Audiophile Power Cable Shoot Out.

[Wayne Elliott]

As promised a while back finally finished a shoot out of a dozen or so Aust. Plug Audiophile Power Cables. No involvement with any company, and as always completely unbiased.

Here are my findings:

LETS STAY ON TOPIC NOW.

 

I decided to use Source, CD Player for the comparison, because it all starts at the source.

CD Player: Vincent CD-S8 . (actually started with Unison Research CDE as well but that developed a glitch). Cullen XLR's into

Pre-Amp: Vincent SA-T8. Canare XLR's into

Active Whise Dragon Slayers, Stat/Hybrid.

Furutech FP314ag-11 Power Cables used from Wall to PS Audio Dectet, to Pre-Amp And Speakers (as I have 5 of these cables). 

 

Started shoot out from least expensive to most expensive: (winner goes through to next round).

 

Stock std. Power Cable v. Gecko OG-2010 ($43).

 

Easy winner here, the Gecko over the standard Power Cable generally supplied with equipment. The Gecko let through some dynamics, music flowed and more resolving vs. std. cable which closed in the sound stage and sounded muffled and Drums sounded like they were "padded".

 

Gecko v. Furakawa w/Acrolink Plug & IEC (around $65 on E-Bay).

 

Was a little surprised how much better the Furakawa was. Blacker background, macro/micro dynamics, better defined bass, clearer vocals, more depth. Furakawa comfortable winner.

 

Furakawa v MS Audio 9005 ( Paid $81 delivered, RRP $299*).

 

Things get interesting. So close here. MS Audio (just), slightly more "relaxing".

 

MS Audio v Audio Principe Premium ($99).

 

MS Audio clear winner, had more of everything.

 

MS Audio v Oyaide P-029 plug, C-029 IEC. ($99 e-bay).

 

MS Audio fairly comfortable winner.

 

MS Audio v ICE AGE AUDIO (around $160 delivered from U.S. (e-bay).

 

Winner: ICE AGE, very dynamic sounding and resolving.

 

ICE AGE v Analog Research Silver Raincoat Ref. ($180).

 

Winner: AR Silver Raincoat. Blacker background, micro, macro dynamics.

 

AR Silver Raincoat v Furutech FP-314-314Ag-11 (furutech plugs) ($175-$225).

 

Winner Furutech. Music flowed, effortless, bigger soundstage.

 

Furutech v Audio Principe Signature. ($200).

 

Interesting. Same Furutech plugs but different presentation. AP had better grip and more "pinpoint" imaging. The Furutech, the music "flowed", better treble, more involving, "toe tapping".

For my preferences, the Furutech cable winner.

 

Furutech v Studio Connections ($260 delivered UK)

 

The Studio Connections, follow bass lines, highly resolving, but a lighter more delicate presentation. (Really like this cable on Pre-Amp.). But I prefer the more dynamic "toe tapper" Furutech.

 

Furutech v KLEIgPower2 ($350)

 

While I love the dynamics of the Furutech, the KLEI is "jaw droppingly" good. Blacker background, Bigger soundstage, bass lines clearer, cymbals ring & shimmer. Resonances and harmonics on guitar etc. This is as much as I've been prepared to spend on a Power Cable. Just how much better do the more $$$ cables get? IME this cable is unbelievable for the $$$.

 

And for a giggle I pitted a stock std. cable against the KLEI cable. The KLEI upped the music reproduction the equivalent of multiple $1000's.

 

Summary:

Stock Cable 0.5. Get's 0.5 point for powering equipment.

Gecko 3. (I use this on my TV). If this was the only other cable available I would replace all stock cables in a heartbeat.

Furakawa 5.5. I can't find these any more and not entirely sure if "genuine" but surprisingly good for $$.

MS Audio 6. At supposed RRP, not great value, but at what I paid, very good value.

Audio Principe Premium 3.5. Dissapointing.

Oyaide 4.5. May not be genuine. Just ok for $$.

Ice Age Audio. 6.5. Reasonable value. Recommended if looking to bring out some dynamics.

AR Silver Raincoat 7.5. Big, bulky, cable with massive plug. Recommended at discounted price, not so much at full retail.

Furutech 9. Like the musical presentation this cable brings. I picked these up at very good price, lot more expensive now.

Audio Principe Signature. 8. Good. Probably suit someone more, after a more "analytical" sound than myself.

Studio Connections. 8.5. Nice cable, a touch "delicate" for my tastes, but like overall.

KLEI. 10. What can I say. Just a great sounding, musically involving cable. Highly recommended.

 

Of course slightly different results could be obtained into Pre-Amps, Power Amps, different equipment etc.etc.

Hope this helps some fellow SN's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RSG]

 

Thank you for your time and efforts. This is the type of stuff I like to read about.

 

Hope this thread stays on topic.

[steve u]

Interesting trial, thank you for the time taken. I have found similar results when comparing the KLEI cables with Nordost cables. The KLEI power cables just seem to allow each component to shine. I have found good cables all make beautifully recorded music sound beautiful. I found the KLEI power cables seem to resolve and let the music flow with crappy recordings.

They are great cables. Highly recommended. 

[Soundwise]

Great effort, thanks for sharing your findings

 

Unfortunately for me, it didn't  stop with the KLEI, I recently tried Nordost Red Dawn on my power amps and it added another level of refinement over the KLEI so needless to say the Nordost is now top dog in my system.

 

[steve u]

12 minutes ago, Soundwise said:

Great effort, thanks for sharing your findings

 

Unfortunately for me, it didn't  stop with the KLEI, I recently tried Nordost Red Dawn on my power amps and it added another level of refinement over the KLEI so needless to say the Nordost is now top dog in my system.

 

Just goes to show, that it is system and ear dependant, I have tried Red Dawn, Frey and Valhalla in my system and the KLEI have beaten them all.

Have also experimented with an Odin power cable, it is very special and very good, but at a statement price point rather than a performance per dollar price point.

Enjoy your cables and the Journey.

[freaky1]

Were these blind tested, or did you know what cable you were listening to ?

[Soundwise]

Agree with you 100% steve. That is why I'm keeping my KLEI because it's a very special power cable.

 

Nordost are also also right up there in my experience. I recommend people to try for themselves like the OP.

 

Forget about the DBT BS. I have no time for that, too busy enjoying beautiful music....

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

54 minutes ago, freaky1 said:

Were these blind tested, or did you know what cable you were listening to ?

 

Yes. I was also curious about the test procedure and what mechanisms were put in place to eliminate any visual bias. Without such procedures, results are meaningless. 

[Soundwise]

@Zaphod Beeblebrox you need to read the OP's original comment about staying on topic and respect his wishes. Please don't turn this topic into all the other ones that were closed by the mods.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Just now, Soundwise said:

@Zaphod Beeblebrox you need to read the OP's original comment about staying on topic and respect his wishes. Please don't turn this topic into all the other ones that were closed by the mods.

 

I was careful to read the original post, which is why I asked about mechanisms to eliminate bias. 

[freaky1]

2 minutes ago, Soundwise said:

@Zaphod Beeblebrox you need to read the OP's original comment about staying on topic and respect his wishes. Please don't turn this topic into all the other ones that were closed by the mods.

 

Sorry, I wasn't looking to start a fight, just wanted to understand how the testing took place.

[Soundwise]

I have no problem with the OP being biased. It's his topic.

[krakatana]

Thanks initforthemusic for posting your findings. Very meaningful and worthwhile comparisons.

[DRC]

 thanks for taking the time to post your observations.

[Guest BobbyD]

Appreciate your post initforthemusic............... your name says it all 

[Martykt]

Yes great write up @initforthemusic, well worth the read !!  

 

Always great to hear about people trying things to improve their systems.

Best way to learn when building a system is to actually try different things !!! 

[Weka]

Excellent comparative test and review, thanks for the effort and for posting your observations.

Edited February 9, 2017 by Weka

[metal beat]

So the most expensive power cable came up Trumps.

Edited February 9, 2017 by Metamatic

[davewantsmoore]

2 hours ago, Soundwise said:

you need to read the OP's original comment about staying on topic and respect his wishes. 

 

Oh dear.   The topic is a cable shootout.   What could be more on topic than comments about the test procedure or the test results?

 

I have tried a couple of those cables, and I did not find the same results as the OP.    My own experience .... and what I hear experts in the field say about what traps you could encounter auditioning equipment ....  says that the test procedure would be expected to be part of the reason.

[davewantsmoore]

3 hours ago, steve u said:

system dependant

 

Indeed.    What we know about power cables tell us very clearly that if there was going to be a difference, it would be highly situation dependant.

[frankn]

............. and everyone knows that all of these type of comparisons are highly situation dependent.  Even if they were conducted with what the OP believed is enough rigour his comments would then be followed by several pages of discussion of the merits of the procedure - we have been here so many times before.  SNA is a social site, remember?

Mod's perhaps you can already start mopping up the usual derailing from the thread.

 

[CryptiK]

I don't understand why anyone is upset? OP has posted results of a shootout, a few interested parties want to know how it was conducted. This is the case the basically all shootouts. Cars, cameras, etc. The testing procedure is usually explained, and if it's not you can reasonably expect someone to ask!

[davewantsmoore]

23 minutes ago, frankn said:

SNA is a social site, remember?

Mod's perhaps you can already start mopping up the usual derailing from the thread.

 

What does this even mean?

 

That I'm only allowed to speak if I think the test was excellent, or if I didn't get contradictory results?

[Krispy Audio]

40 minutes ago, CryptiK said:

I don't understand why anyone is upset? OP has posted results of a shootout, a few interested parties want to know how it was conducted. This is the case the basically all shootouts. Cars, cameras, etc. The testing procedure is usually explained, and if it's not you can reasonably expect someone to ask!

 

Because it's been suggested that his results are "meaningless" without formal test procedures outlined. Not everyone wishes to do this. 

 

Personally I gain from others experiences posted on this forum regardless of how it was done, who they are or any other information. It's all about the experience for the author, and I enjoy reading others' experiences. 

[Soundwise]

52 minutes ago, davewantsmoore said:

 

What does this even mean?

 

That I'm only allowed to speak if I think the test was excellent, or if I didn't get contradictory results?

 

I believe your comments are more appropriate for here