Galen, thank you for putting this out there. I hope that all appreciate the level of information Galen is providing that dwarfs what is provided by the others in the industry. Not that anyone else really gives explanation to why they think their science is better. As one customer recently pointed out to me, Galen wears his heart on his sleeve and is willing to share with all who will listen. More importantly, he shares the science and the consideration that is given to each and every facet of his work. There are no secrets. There is no big marketing presentation. Only the reality and science that backs his work. Kinda reminds me of a marketing moniker from years ago from one of the wine companies. “We will sell no wine before it’s time.” I’m not sure if the wine was any good but it sure sounded good. I assure you, that Galen does not and will not put his name on a product that is not the very best he could make it within the parameter and restrictions at hand. Thanks again Galen for sharing what will undoubtedly be an extraordinary product “if we can make it happen.”
Easy, does it WORK? Low R, L and C and the proper passband for audio, not RF. Getting the best system at the least complex design is HARD.
Many ways skin a cat. Do the specs say it worked.
Best,
Galen
You’ll hate me. I use windex and then an isopropyl alcohol wipe. No oil in the alcohol, though.
Better, use Rhodium plated spades to be air tight…forever unless you take them off. Clean and install and leave them alone.
Best,
Galen
Perfect. Thanks!
When I bought my Iconoclast SPTPC speaker cables I hadn’t upgraded my P10 yet to a P12 (or 20). There was a significant improvement with the new cables, almost as if I’d bought a new component. Obviously my old cables were the weak link of the system, but I wonder if the new Iconoclast power cables would do the same for all my AC10 cords. (that is, let me wait for the next generation power plant)
Uh oh, that makes me a bad customer for PSA, doesn’t it?
Oops, don’t tell Paul … . .
–SSW
Just ordered some 10ga for regenerators and monoblocs- will report back after they settle in
I bought a 10 ga and it’s been in my system with about 80 hours.
I will say that I would easily expect it to kick the arse of any cable in it’s price range. It punches way above it’s price range; it sounds good.
But will it outperform an AC12 or Shunyata Alpha NR or Kimber Palladium? No.
But it is, after all, roughly the cost of sales tax of one of those.
Perspective.
Yes, it’s a great cable, but it’s not replacing AC-12s in my main system. Now if Iconoclast comes out with a cable. . . look out Jack. That I suspect will be different, and costlier, but will be kicking some serious ass.
I just received my new BAV power cords today, along with two new Gen 2 ICs, one XLR and one RCA. I love the power cords. Three of mine were custom made with 20A IEC sockets (took a little extra time), for my Torus AVR2-20 and my inbound Merrill 116 monoblocks. In the group pic below, the 20A 10 ga cords are on the bottom. The other 4 are varying lengths of the 14ga cords for my signal components. They are all now in place, and humming along (quietly), while I am also moving a large Roon library around.
Unlike Lon, my speaker system is all solid state. It will be interesting to see how these sound compared to the AC-12/10, Shunyata, Cerious, and Pangea.
Construction quality and appearance are superb. Thank you Bob (@BobBJC) and Galen (@rower30) and team for beautifully crafted pieces.
Palerider,
Looks like we’re both fans of the MSB Select II DAC! Congrats on the Iconoclast and BAV cables - they are the finest available; my reference XLRs and speaker cables are Iconoclasts, and I’m looking forward to the Iconoclast AC cables when they become available. Also, I’m currently auditioning the Merrill Element 116 monoblock amps this week - let’s trade notes when you’ve had a chance to listen to them critically in your system.
Three days in, and these cords—absent an Iconoclast line of power cables—are not coming out of my system. I subscribe to the notion that the cleaner and more robust one’s incoming power is, the less one should perceive audible SQ changes from power cables, at least, insofar as we are talking about improvements in SQ. Obviously, poor cables, or cables designed to compensate for a problem that is not present or otherwise intended to alter the sound, could change it. But in terms of improving a system, good power simply means that good cables should be transparent or “invisible.” Others may disagree, and that’s okay.
Galen tells me that the goal with these cables is to create a performance baseline by which further development can be assessed. IOW, these are a starting “reference point.” From my POV, they are a remarkable achievement. I have $4 figure cables in my home, but none cost more than $3500, and most are in a range from about $750 to $2k. And I have some reasonably well-made, inexpensive/value Pangea cables that I typically use to set up a new component or arrangement of components. The short BAV 20A cord went from the wall to my Torus AVR2-20. The 14 gauge cords were attached to my DAC, Upsampler, and two clocks.
Two days into the BAV cords [plus the replacement of a Gen 1 XLR OCC IC with a Gen 2], my not-audiophoolish wife came in while I was listening and, after a few seconds of listening, asked “ what did you do? ”. That says it all. I’ve already ordered four more for the speaker system, and will likely replace all cords in the headphone rack as well.
Would be interesting to hear which $$$$ cables these defeated…pls share.
Well, I’ve already mentioned brand names and models of some of my cables above. I am not going to repeat that or go further than that, because I think each person needs to make their own choices with their own system and ears. BJC/Iconoclast will accept return of any cable within 30 days. At these prices, there is essentially zero risk to trying for one’s self.
Be realistic everyone. Cords do “logical” things but the LENGTH is still in play. But we do have changes;
- RF dissipation effects are there.
- lower DCR does improve the ground potential difference issues between pieces. This is where hum and ground loops come from, unequal potentials.
- for a given current, the inductively coupled EM noise, to especially RCA cables, is reduced. E=I*R so if we halve the “R” we drop the voltage level and that’s the EMF coupled noise, too. This is DCR reduction at work. Notice the current is the SAME so a 14 AWG and a 10 AWG have the same CURRRENT, but the 10 AWG will show a far lower VOLTAGE drop and induced EM signal.
So yes, these are good LOGICAL cords that have proper advantages over smaller and higher DCR cords with lower RF mitigation. These were selected based on measurements and HOW do we provide a proper AC cord that is proper priced for our market?
So no, these aren’t zillion buck cords but doing well at the lower prices can be harder. We want the cords to be high quality and offer better use experience than stock PVC cords.
Yes, we can argue the UNTS per LENGTH but the changes are real, and measurables. But, we are still looking at a “system” of synergy that can provide improvements for many. This beats tertiary theories with scant little evidence in any measurements. BAV and ICONOCLAST are STILL measurements first and then in use performance to back-up the improvements. Sound design equals sound performance. We do believe in that statement.
Best,
Galen
Oh, I do like the TechFlex look bye the way on these. I also like the way these turned out as so many changes were experienced along the way and it was hard to know the end until we we were there.
Just so Galen. There are many factors that come into play in a given system. I made no effort at A/B comparison. I simply swapped all the cables at once, starting with the short 20A connector between the Torus and the wall. Overall, the system sounds superb, as my wife’s comment was meant to illustrate. But I cannot tell you whether the BAV is better than the Shunyata/AC-12/Graphene, etc. I didn’t make that comparison. I just know it sounds better than before. Is the BAV better than the AC-12 or Alpha or Graphene or Opus? I could not say with any confidence. All I know is that the system sounds incrementally better replacing all those cords with BAV. Does this mean the BAV 14 at 1.25m is better than a Shun Alpha going into a dCS Vivaldi DAC? Not necessarily. Only one’s ears can decide. And the BAV, combined with excellent power, have pulled me out of that rabbit hole.
Thank you very much, for your assessment of the BAV power cords. I continue to receive emails and text messages daily now from customers who mirror your perceptions. I appreciate reference to not feeling the need to brand shame. At the price of our power cord, it is as you so honestly point out, " only one’s ears can decide!" I have knowledge of the nature and level of your system so I can only express gratitude knowing that we are as good if not better than the “other guys.” We both agree as well, that the ladies often have without question the ability to discern degradation or improvements, even subtle, with sometimes “immediate” recognition changes without prior knowledge of cable or even component level substitutions.You pointed this out to me several days ago while another customer from MA who now lives in Port St. Lucie, FL warned me today, “my wife will be the one to discern any improvements” after agreeing to audition both BAV and Iconoclast cables…
Breaking “SAD” News… I have learned, that due to “overwhelming” response to the BAV Power Cables… “we are out” of 10 AWG cord until mid-July when Belden expects to be able to ship our “emergency” order. We had no idea that reception would be what it has been. And though Galen will “never” put his name on a product that is less than the best, he still withheld the Iconoclast branding. For over a year, I have done everything in my power to bring a “power cable” to our portfolio. I should not have been surprised to see us deplete the order so quickly. May I remind all that it is not necessary to use 10AWG for components? DAC’s, Pre,'s and other source components do not need a 10AWG power cord unless you plan to run the cable from one end of the field to the other! Regenerators and high current amplifiers will without question benefit! We are fine on 12 and 14AWG and we have plenty of TechFlex… Have a great weekend all! 
Congrats! You all are doing a great job at making proven “audiophile” quality available and priced to be affordable to mere mortals. Hopefully this niche market can keep you rolling for years to come. I need to get a set of these but don’t have components in place yet so lengths are unknown. July or August should work out nicely. I’ll bet if you made an 8 AWG or 6 AWG it would sell big too although the current connectors may not work.
I have been into music (and therefore HiFi) for quite some years now and have been aware that as you sort out your system that things like cables start becoming a more of a priority as you look to achieve better system synergy and eek out the last few % of performance; which for me translates into “It sounds better and i enjoy listening for longer”.
Previously i spent a little money (relatively speaking) to sort out the basics, but recently i upgraded my system and started doing some research.
That research has led to an EE 8Switch combined with a BJC ethernet cable that have given me some notable improvements in SQ over my network. And from speaking to @palerider on other forums i have been led to investigate the BAV power cables; and to my delight its all linked somehow to BJC and their philosophy; which given my ethernet cable performance, i know is sound.
I am based in the UK and have a DAC and a Word Clock that need some cables. I would be very interested in ordering a pair of the new BAV cables. I would need a UK plug (I know, that is a nuisance, sorry) and standard IEC. I also understand from reading that I do NOT need 10AWG and something like 12/14AWG would be more suited.
I was also wondering what plugs/connectors are being used? Do people provide their own or do you have a range of options to choose from?
Cheers
Jon
Termination options appear to be limited at this time: Temporary Power Cable Ordering Page
However, the Iconoclast crew is pretty customer service oriented. I suggest you call or reach out to @rower30 or @BobBJC to see what they can do to meet your particular needs.
Good luck.