04-Feb-2017, 14:33
(This post was last modified: 04-Feb-2017, 14:37 by mdconnelly.)
I've found that what a power cord can do for a system may not be what people listen for. It's typically NOT a tonal thing. Improvements in PRAT are more difficult to pinpoint yet can have a huge impact on musical enjoyment and engagement. Transient response - the ability for your system to quickly respond to music dynamics is similar (think snare drum rim shot). These kind of improvements make sense to me - a better power cord may have the ability to make your component better at doing what it was designed to do.
In a prior life I worked sound for a few bands and learned how to listen for such cues. Pro audio challenges are not that different. I hate it, but wire does matter. But it can also drive you nuts because there is so much on the market and a cable manufacturer can always find someone to give them a good review.
Regarding the Devialet Pro... there's no question in my mind that it is a step up in clarity and definition. I've seen some comments that felt it perhaps it was a step in the wrong direction. I'm certain that different speakers, wires, rooms (and ears) can all play into that. For me, it is a no-brainer improvement assuming the price tag is within reach and I realize that's not always the case. Hey, the 200 is still an amazing piece of tech that sounds as good today as the day I first bought one. But the upgrade does have a big price tag and IMO there are ways to improve your system for less money - power cords being one of them. If you're using a stock power cord on a pre-Pro Devialet, I firmly believe that a better power cord will provide a nice improvement for far less cost. And the beauty of a better power cord is that it is a portable device - can be used on any component now or in the future.
With that said, be careful out there. Just because a power cord looks like a fire hose doesn't mean it will sound good. But you also don't have to spend thousands of dollars for good quality. I've tried a lot of brands and designs from home made cables under $100 to the high-priced stuff from Shunyata and JPS. I bought my first Triode Wire Labs PC back in 2011 and ultimately replaced all my PCs with them. Great stuff at a very reasonable price (full disclosure: I'm just a happy customer with no vested interest in TWL other than wanting good sound without breaking the bank).
In a prior life I worked sound for a few bands and learned how to listen for such cues. Pro audio challenges are not that different. I hate it, but wire does matter. But it can also drive you nuts because there is so much on the market and a cable manufacturer can always find someone to give them a good review.
Regarding the Devialet Pro... there's no question in my mind that it is a step up in clarity and definition. I've seen some comments that felt it perhaps it was a step in the wrong direction. I'm certain that different speakers, wires, rooms (and ears) can all play into that. For me, it is a no-brainer improvement assuming the price tag is within reach and I realize that's not always the case. Hey, the 200 is still an amazing piece of tech that sounds as good today as the day I first bought one. But the upgrade does have a big price tag and IMO there are ways to improve your system for less money - power cords being one of them. If you're using a stock power cord on a pre-Pro Devialet, I firmly believe that a better power cord will provide a nice improvement for far less cost. And the beauty of a better power cord is that it is a portable device - can be used on any component now or in the future.
With that said, be careful out there. Just because a power cord looks like a fire hose doesn't mean it will sound good. But you also don't have to spend thousands of dollars for good quality. I've tried a lot of brands and designs from home made cables under $100 to the high-priced stuff from Shunyata and JPS. I bought my first Triode Wire Labs PC back in 2011 and ultimately replaced all my PCs with them. Great stuff at a very reasonable price (full disclosure: I'm just a happy customer with no vested interest in TWL other than wanting good sound without breaking the bank).
Devialet 440 Pro (two 220s)- Oracle CD transport - Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi S turntable - Von Schweikert VR-35 speakers - JPS SC3 SCs - PI Audio power conditioning -
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Durham, NC USA