Folks,
Since there is a sale going on, I am thinking of bagging some AC-5 power cables to replace the Plus’s that I’ve been using for a long time. Can someone give me a quick eval of whether the new series (specifically the AC-5) is stiffer, the same, or less stiff than the Plus? The Plus is at the absolute maximum end of inflexibility for me, and I am getting to be old and cantankerous about stuff like this, so it matters. Thanks!
I had the same question when I saw the sale. Years ago I tried a PS power cord (lower-end model, can’t remember exactly now). My audio rack is very close to the wall and the cord was so stiff that it was almost unusable. I suspect the PSA cords haven’t changed in this regard but it would be good to know for sure.
That’s my issue - I’ve got about 4 inches… was able to get the Plus to do what I need, but it wasn’t particularly easy, so would prefer something a little more flexible
They haven’t changed a whit in stiffness though I am working on an entirely new design that’s rather flexible.
This is great to hear!!!
I need to pick up two power cords to run from my new P5 to my amps, about 8’ away. I’d happily try the PS cords but the stiffness will be an issue where the P5 sits close to the wall. Anyone have suggestions for good power cords that are shielded, yet more flexible?
Magister, a friend nearby just ordered a Shunyata Venom 3 HC, the high-current version. I should be able to give you a read on whether that is more flexible when it arrives. For my part, now that I’ve managed to get my long Plus into position behind my rack, I’ll just leave it there until paul’s new ones are ready.
Thanks, Bob. I have seen the non-HC version of the Venom and it is flexible. I will check on the shielding, which is very important since the power cords will run close to the interconnects from the preamp to the amps. (Not an ideal situation, I know, and I will be able to keep them a few inches apart, but there is no alternative if I am to use the P5 to power the amps.)
Yeah, I actually have one of the non-HC’s, I am using now with an HD-Plex power supply that powers my music server. It is great, flexibility-wise. That bodes well for the HC version. Anyway I will know in a few days.
Venom HC arrived at my friend’s. As expected, it’s a tad stiffer than the regular Venom 3, but it’s not bad at all. I have some old Copperheads that I bought years ago, and it’s a good bit more flexible than those. All in all, thumbs-up in that regard, as long as your expectations are reasonable. No comments on sound yet.
A general power-cord note… I just checked my two Shunyata Copperheads. On both of them, the plastic sheathing had shrunk over the years (they are maybe 7-8 years old) and pulled out of the clamp in the IEC connector, and in one of them, the set screw holding one of the conductors was also loose, so the cord was right on the edge of failing. Check your old cords, and if necessary, shorten the leads just a bit so the sheathing again fits within the clamp and assures structural integrity. And, for my money, all new purchases will have molded connectors, or at least soldered/cold welded. Kudos to PS Audio for doing this right (imho.)
Both scary and frustrating.
Thanks for the heads up, Bob.
A quick aside. At RMAF I was in the Nordost room when they did their power cord swap outs. It was frustratingly obvious how with almost each iteration up the line the tonality stayed the same (kudos to them for that) but everything just got better. Less smearing, larger soundstage, more defined blackness. You’d like to hope someday in audio something WOULDN’T matter!
Bob said Venom HC arrived at my friend's. As expected, it's a tad stiffer than the regular Venom 3, but it's not bad at all. I have some old Copperheads that I bought years ago, and it's a good bit more flexible than those.Thanks for the followup, Bob. Years ago I owned two Copperheads, so that's a useful reference for me.
tony22 said You'd like to hope someday in audio something WOULDN'T matter!Years ago I studied harpsichord. Someone once asked David Jacques Way, for many years the owner of Zuckerman Harpsichords, whether it really mattered if a modern harpsichord builder used plastic to make some little parts that were made from wood in the 18th century. Mr. Way replied "When you get enough things right, everything matters." That sentence has stayed with me and it seems to apply equally well to this audio hobby.
I have not thought of Zukermann in a good while. I built one of their kits and otherwise did work on harpsichords. There are components of the action I would not be willing to construct of wood, but certainly would want to if I had the requisite time and patience.