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Inexpensive power cords and some worthwhile upgrades.
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June 16, 2009
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NOTE: We have changed our format to make it more convenient for you. Use the links to the left to view each article within our newsletter or simply scroll through. Your choice! In conjunction with the launch of our new website: www.thecable.com, the Cable Company has changed its own main email address! Please add our new address to the address book or "friends list" in your email program so that any messages from your consultant are not filtered out: cable@thecableco.com
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Audio Magic's "Dark Thunder" power cord.
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This is a 9 awg all copper power cord that is shielded and uses Wattgate cryogenically treated plugs at both ends. High value and available in 1M ($130), 1.5M ($140) , and 2M ($160) lengths. Tends to work best on solid state amplifiers and other solid state components, particularly if some additional "weight" and warmth are what you are looking for.
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Essential Sound Products (ESP).
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Essential Sound Products (ESP) has long been known in audio circles for making some of the best power cords in the industry. Their new high value MusicCord (2m/$129) and MusicCord-Pro (2m/$179) models are the culmination of 10 years of designing and making nothing BUT power cords, and improving each generation. Both are stranded copper cables with full copper shields . Use the MusicCord for lower current devices like disc players and preamps, while the MusicCord-Pro is a great choice for higher current devices like home theater receivers, pre/pros, projectors, and multi-channel amplifiers.
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Canadian manufacturer Gutwire.
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Canadian manufacturer Gutwire (pronounced in a Germanic- accented "Gootvire"), makes a couple of power cords that made our list here - the B16 and the B12 power cords
The B16 is a stranded, all copper, shielded 16 awg power cord that is a strong upgrade for preamps and CD players - components that do not draw a lot of current - but which will perform better with a higher quality power cord. At $99/5 feet and $10/foot beyond that, this is another low cost/ high performance upgrade.
The B12 is a 12 awg, stranded, shielded, high quality copper power cord that also is packed with 4 Polyethylene tubes. This is done because as AC alternates (hot and neutral, 60 times a second), the conductors in a power cord can and do vibrate - the tighter the conductors are packed into the jacket with this type of spacer, the less the vibration of the conductors will affect the sound. At $149/4 feet and $199/6 feet, the B12 is a very good choice for high powered solid state amplifiers and is also very good with line strips/ power conditioners.
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Gold DVD Power Cord.
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Hi Fi Tuning makes what we feel is one of the best DVD power cords on the market, the Gold DVD Power Cord. This is a high quality, stranded copper power cord that features the smaller C7 IEC for those components that feature this "sideways 8" type of power plug and a high quality Marinco wall plug at the other end. This is a very flexible power cord that does well on DVD players and cable and satellite "boxes" that utilize this type of IEC connector. At $99.95/5 feet, this is a performance leader for these applications.
PS Audio makes a couple of power cords that made our value list - the Xstream Power Plasma and the PerfectWave AC-3 power cords.
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PS Audio makes a couple of power cords that made our value list - the Xstream Power Plasma and the PerfectWave AC-3 power cords.
The Xstream Power Plasma power cord.
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The Xstream Power Plasma power cord ($79.95/1.5M) was designed with video applications in mind. The wall plug is a slim profile right angle design that allows the cord to fit flush against the wall. This is a 12 awg, stranded, double shielded power cord that has a ferrite impregnated jacket to reduce the impact of EMI and RF on the quality of the picture.
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PS Audio's new PerfectWave AC-3.
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The new PerfectWave AC-3 ($124/99/1.5M) is part of the new series of power cords from PS Audio and has already been a great success with those that have tried it. Designed with a complex series of multiple gauge stranded high purity copper, multiple shielding, and machined , billeted connectors, this is a high value cable that works well with power strips/conditioners, power amplifiers, and for use with electrostatic speakers. The unique wall plug design of PS Audio allows for the removal of the ground pin, which can be a blessing when trying to get residual AC hum from a system.
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The Shunyata Research Venom.
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Finally, the Shunyata Research Venom ($125/1.5M) is a stranded, high purity copper power cord that has been treated with Shunyata's unique Alpha-Cryo process to give it performance characteristics well beyond is modest price range. Shunyata designed and specified the high quality molded connectors that are used on this cord as well, again with the issue of better performance in mind. The Venom is a very good power cord for tube amplifiers, subwoofers, home theater receivers, and DVD players that use standard C15 iec connectors.
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Now for a couple of products that we want our customers to know about:
Audio Magic Pulse Gen ZX
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The Audio Magic Pulse Gen ZX ($400.00) is a device designed for the somewhat capable DIY'er. This smallish (1.75"x2.7"x1") plastic box is installed inside of your powered component, so you need to at least be able to get the cover off! The box is placed inside the component, stuck on with the included tape, and connected to the input side of the IEC for power (can be soldered or bare wire wrapped).
So what does it do? The Pulse Gen ZX is an active device (hence the connection to the IEC) that grabs every last particle of RF and EMI inside of the component in a way that no passive "stone" or "disrupter" can possibly do. When installed inside of a CD player, pre-amp or amplifier, it instantly makes the component more resolving, more detailed, and more revealing . This is not something that anyone with a good system would have to strain to hear - the effects are obvious and instantly revealed. We rarely use the term astonishing to describe anything audio, but the effects of this small little device certainly merit the use of that term. You don't have to take our word for it - Positive Feedback's entire review of the Pulse Gen ZX is available, and the guys at "Affordable $$Audio" in their June 2008 issue agree.
Yes, installing the Pulse Gen ZX takes a little more work than plugging in a new pair of interconnects or a power cord, but the improvement in performance is well worth the extra effort!
Save $50 this month - AudioMagic Pulse Gen ZX (regularly $400) now only $350 each. Just enter Special Offer Code: x609ZX in the "comments" section of our Express Order Form if ordering through our website shopping cart, or mention this email special to your Cable Company consultant.
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Gutwire Notepad II
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Gutwire (there's that name again) makes a useful product called the Notepad II ($45). This is a 5"x7" "high molecular polymer gel" filled bag that is designed to be used on top of your components. The material within the Notepad II absorbs RF and EMI, while at the same time it dampens resonance/vibrations. Because it is used on top of components, it adds mass to the device as well, which makes the footers used under the component more effective. Try some on top of your CD player, amplifier, preamplifier and/or DVD player. A low cost, high value upgrade.
Introductory Special - 3/$119
Just enter Special Offer Code: x609GT in the "comments" section of our Express Order Form if ordering through our website shopping cart, or mention this email special to your Cable Company consultant.
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New in the Library
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As of this month, the deposit amount to use the Lending Library, even for new customers, has been reduced to 5%, so if you have friends, or belong to an audio club, get the word out there - it is now even easier to form your OWN opinions about cables, power cords, and power conditioners.
Recent additions to the Library:
- Running Springs Audio Dmitri and the new, improved Haley power conditioners
- Synergistic Research Powercell 10 SE power conditioner and QLS 6 power strip
- Kimber Select KS1016 (RCA) and KS 1116 (XLR) interconnects and Kimber 12TC speaker cables
- Shunyata Research Hydra 8 II and V-Ray II power conditioners, all of the new CX series power cords as well as the complete line of Aeros interconnects and speaker cables
- Cable Research Labs interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, and phono cables
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For additional information on these offers and frequent updates speak with your Cable Company consultant, or visit our websites: www.thecableco.com and www.ultrasystem.com. For hundreds of specials on used and demo cables, visit www.usedcable.com.
Or call us Mon.- Fri. 10 -6; Sat. 11-5 Eastern time on 800-328-9973 (or 215-862-4870). Fax: 215-862-4871
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