Synergistic power cords for REF 160s in all ARC system
 

I have been optimizing my system’s power cords after finishing the interconnects. I have DH Labs, all sorts of Cardas, WireWorld Silver, Transparent and a couple others laying around. I have tried Cardas repeatedly, but while they are nice in the lower midrange and bass, they always loose detail and seem to tip the balance to loosing detail (interconnects and cords surprisingly). So, one by one I have replaced them with Transparent… seem perfect balance of neutral. Now I have gotten to the amp. I want to be really careful to get this one right, because it is high current. I actually have a Cardas Beyond Clear on there now. It is long, so to really do this, for my final choice I may have to order one and find out.


I know there are quite a few of you within comparable systems out there. Any thoughts from your experience?

I'm using a Shunyata Delta NR2 on my LS28SE, with various other Shunyata PCs throughout. Very good results in my system. Looking at your system, I'm sure you could easily go up a level or 2 from that.

I have shunyata alpha NR v2 cords on my ref6se and ref160 monos. They are incredible. Highly recommend.

Thx guys.

I thought one has to use HC cord with amp and NR with source?
I am using AQ HC to Niagra 5000,and NR to phono and preamp, players.CD

Sami

I realized I have been struggling because my dedicated outlet is next to my system on the side of the room while my amp is centered… so I am running a 10 gauge extension cord to my amp so they are all on the same circuit (I get a ground loop if I do not). So, the first thing I am going to do is to get an electrician in here and put in another dedicated line. Then I’ll decide on the power cord… yeah, high current sounds right.

Call shunyata if you are interested in their products. They advised me to use the NR cords and I am extremely happy with the performance.

Same here I feed my MC462 with a Delta NR V2, they said an NR cable would not restrict current at all to even a large amp, but would provide more noise reduction. They advised using an XC to feed the Everest. I use an Alpha XC for that.

Check out Sain Line power cords. They are used at arc and really excellent with all arc gear.

FYI. I had been using a 10 gauge extension cord for my amp from my dedicated line into which my power conditioner was plugged with all my other equipment. My amp is between my speakers the rest off to the side by the direct line. I got a hum if I plugged the amp into the outlet behind it (goes to a different breaker box). I was having some other electrical work done, so I had an additional direct line (10 gauge) run to my amp from the adjacent breaker.

Happily it did what I hoped for: no hum and better sound. It further dropped the noice floor, revealing more detail. I wasn’t really expecting it to sound better, but it does. At $1,500, about the cost of a power cord with the associated improvement, a worthwhile investment.

I will review different cords again.