Furutech G-314AG-18 versus Absolute Power-18 Power Cords

[nbaptista]

Anyone has experience with these two power cord´s?
here the reviewer concludes that the Absolute is the cable to buy.
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/furutech_power_cords.htm
He says that 314 is warmer and the Absolute is cooler
To work with a Densen B 110 which you think is best?The Absolute is a bit expensive, the 314 is more affordable!The Densen has a lively and rythmic sound, so I don´t know if a warm cable match well

[Tarzan]

Personally l would favour the warmer cable with SS Kit, as it maybe less tiring in the long run also depends also on your other bits of kit also.

[brian2957]

Yup got to agree there Andy.

[nbaptista]

also depends also on your other bits of kit also.Epos M 15 floorstands and Rega DAC

[Reffc]

I've tried them. Neither sounded any different to my bog standard kettle lead but I was using plugs of average quality.

What beat both into a cocked hat (ie, actually sounded as if it gave any improvement at all) was Furutech's Alpha 3 cable used with their 1363 plugs and FI-50R IECs.

I don't like screened mains cables nor see any point to them if your interconnects are well screened. Power supplies (good ones anyway) are able to filter out quite a lot of rubbish in the mains.

The good electrical contact from the Furutech connectors and patented ground jumper may have had something to do with the improvements heard.

[nbaptista]

Can anyone explain me why a transport audio benefits from a better power cord?I understand why a good amplifier needs a good power cord, because has a large toroidal transformer , but the transport?

[Reffc]

It should make no difference providing the requisite amount of current is being passed to the transport.

Same goes for the amplifier. When I worked in industry and we were dealing with some very sensitive kit, we never fretted over plugs that didn't have polished or gold plated contacts, nor was expensive cabling used. Providing the cabling is of the correct amperage rating and the plugs and IEC's all fit properly, that is all that should, in theory, matter.

More subjectively, I did conduct blind testing with a power amp using various power cords, and the consensus was that all bar one sounded the same. No difference was noted between a £2.50 kettle lead and a £300 commercial powercord except for one lead used in one particular application. It wasn't what I'd call rigorous testing but was an attempt at genuine DBT

The only powercord that every single person picked out as sounding any different was a Furutech terminated Alpha 3 cord but only when it was used with the power amp, and no difference was noted when it was used with any source components. The only conclusion that I can come to is that where low level information and small current draw was concerned, decent fitting plugs and IEC's seemed to matter to perceived sound with that particular power amp. I haven't conducted similar tests with other amps but intend to.

Like many other things in this hobby, part of he reason for wanting a nice looking power cord is exactly that...it's a nice looking power cord and there's nothing wrong in a bit of audio bling! Suck it and see is the only sensible advice as there's no conclusive list of power cords that may work better than others for various bits of kit. Its there to pass current at the end of the day and to remain durable with as few impedance losses across connections as is possible.

[clap]

I am convinced that different connectors sound different, both plugs and iecs. I am less convinced on the difference in sound from the actual cable.

The plugs and iecs that reduce vibration are imo particularly good.

Oyaide p004 / c004 are good value.

The VH audio pages on iecs gives particularly accurate descriptions of the types of sound proroduced by different iecs / materials.

[Reffc]

I am convinced that different connectors sound different, both plugs and iecs. I am less convinced on the difference in sound from the actual cable.

The plugs and iecs that reduce vibration are imo particularly good.

Oyaide p004 / c004 are good value.

The VH audio pages on iecs gives particularly accurate descriptions of the types of sound proroduced by different iecs / materials.

Providing they make contact and electrickery is flowing I remain unconvinced that any IEC/Plug has a "sound" at all....I don't know what that means, particularly as they are out of the signal path. I would agree from personal experience with some amps though that good solid electrical contact for IECs and plugs can make a difference with low level detail (where fractions of an amp may be all that is drawn) but that depends upon an amp's power supply and design too. As with any plug, it would be better to hard wire these things if it were in line with current Electrical Regs and an in-line fuse could be fitted to protect the wiring. All IMHO and experience.

[clap]

Providing they make contact and electrickery is flowing I remain unconvinced that any IEC/Plug has a "sound" at all....I don't know what that means, particularly as they are out of the signal path. I would agree from personal experience with some amps though that good solid electrical contact for IECs and plugs can make a difference with low level detail (where fractions of an amp may be all that is drawn) but that depends upon an amp's power supply and design too. As with any plug, it would be better to hard wire these things if it were in line with current Electrical Regs and an in-line fuse could be fitted to protect the wiring. All IMHO and experience.

pop over and listen to different iecs and plugs with my kit.