Power Cable recommendations? < $400 cords, USA

Looking to do some upgrades.

Any recommendations for power cords below $400 ?

 

I would look closely at the Shunyata Venom 3 at $99 each. It was a huge bargain in the big power cord shootout in the latest Absolute Sound.

MusicDirect carries it and may give you a deal this weekend.

I have a $100 Gutwire B-16 that everyone seems to like and I find it to be good. The Pangea cords are getting good buzz as well and they are dirt cheap through Audio Advisor.

 

Thanks. Checking those now.

 

What LeeS mentioned is a good idea -- MD has a selected sale this weekend (check their website). The Venom isn't one though.

$75 each for 5' Diamondbacks if purchasing 3 ($99 for one) whereas normal retail is $250. Shunyata must be coming up with a replacement in the near future for this pricing (dunno though).

I'm just digging a bit deeper into what LeeS mentioned.

PLUS -- they come with a 100% upgrade guarantee (for whatever they were purchased for -- but anyway):

"NOTE: These cables come with Music Direct's Special 100% Trade-Up Policy for three years after purchase. This means that any time within three years, you can trade these power cords for any other Shunyata cables of greater value and recieve 100% of what you paid."



Bob

 

Thanks Bob for the additional detail.

I am using a Diamondback right now on a Benchmark DAC1 and it is terrific. However, based on what I have read I believe the new Venom 3 may be even better.

Mike, you should read the new Absolute Sound - 13 power cord shootout. I'm not sure most of us need more than a Venom 3 for most things. Shunyata seems to be on of the more respected makers of AC cords and AC conditioning gear.

 

I might add that in my system, I find the biggest improvements in AC cord subbing to be on my SACD player, phono stage, and amp.

 

Harmonic Technologies Pro 11 A.C. ( $350 ) or their more upscale model Fantasy 10 SE ( $400 ) or Acoustic Zen Tsunami ( $367 ) or their cheaper Epoch ( $200 ).

As all of these share the primary designer Robert Lee, and are based upon OCC solid core conductors.

I think either of these offer a very refined, yet detailed sound with very low levels of noise floor.

Just various alternatives and worthy of consideration.
Oscar

 

Thanks Lee. I've had that TAS issue and not had a chance to check out the power cords piece...Leaning toward the Venom 3's. The 10% MD code must have expired after Friday, but no biggie.

 

I would agree with LeeS and get the $99 Venom3 PCs for a single cord. I have two Shunyata Diamondback Pluses, and think they are really excellent performance for money. Like LeeS, I found that they made the biggest difference (at the time) in the phono stage and amp. Having talked to Shunyata in person about this, at this point in time, if I had to choose one over the other, I would go for the Venom3 at $99 than the DB Platinum at it's normal price of $250. If that MD sale that Vintage Tube is still on, I would go for that, but if not, get the Venom3s. You'll be happy either way. In fact, you will be surprised how happy you will be....

 

I believe I saw a quick review by Jeff on Tone Audio on the Venoms as well.

 

If you asked Caelin Cabriel of Shunyata research which power cord he was most proud of, he would say it was the Venom.

 

Seriously thinking about getting Venoms for my system, but my Denon 3930 has a different receptacle on the back....2 contacts, not 3. Sorry, don't know my IEC numbers at all.

Will the Venom still fit, with the middle contact on the cable going unused?
And if so, is that a problem?

Just did some research, it would apprear the connector on the Denon is an IEC C18

 

Generally you need the exact right connector for either the 2 or 3 pin. The moldings tend to be different for each. I'm not sure if there a two pin version of the Venom.

 

Your Denon has the standard IEC connection but is internally grounded so lacks any ground contact on the male IEC connector.

The stock Venom will work fine.

 

I think you are right. I was thinking of the C-7 Style here which is common on DVD players in my experience:

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/86725

 

Would Signal Cable be another viable option?

http://www.signalcable.com/power_cables.html

 

Yes, and rather than be limited with the small number of after market power cords on the market with the C7 female, adapters like this available from Chris Ven Haus or Takefiveaudio open up things considerably for anyone considering cords for equipment with that connection.

http://www.vhaudio.com/images/dvdiec.jpg

 

Never heard of them. That might limit you on resale value if you decide to upgrade later.

 

The other thing to consider: I have a dedicated circuit in my audio room.

Integrated amp goes straight to the wall socket, my sources (CD, Universal Player, Turntable) go into an APC H15 conditioner which then goes into the same dedicated circuit.

Do I even need to upgrade my power cords.

 

I hear the new Synergistic Research Power Chords are pretty nice.

 

What price range are they?

 

Yep, big fan of the Venom 3. A decent improvement from a well made power cord that won't break the bank.

 

Haven't seen Nordost Magus (~$159 for 1m) mentioned. If I ever have some money to spend on things like that again, seemed like a good one as well.

 

That Silver Resolution at $169 looks like it would be worth a try at the least.

 

I believe the new one starts at $250.