31-Oct-2018, 03:38
I see that I'm following up on @Wdw's post quite quickly, but I also think the Z3 power cable is a bargain. I borrowed one yesterday to try at home. It is a clear improvement over the AQ cable that came with the CI upgrade. As Wdw notes, the improvement was easy to discern without A/B cable swapping.
To describe the change, I found that this power cord opened up the sound, or delivery, quite a bit. It made things seem 'easier'. Some improvement in the bass definition certainly, but in my system, I noticed a very nice change in the way the midrange comes through. Vocals in particular are more forward and rounded. Thinking back to the upgrade from the Expert to the Pro series, some owners felt the Pro produced vocals in a less forward, more recessed way.
If that aspect of the Pro change was a disappointment, this $300.00 cable changes that back to the Expert midrange presentation; more forward and more rounded. The midrange becomes something you can hold in your hands, like a ball that is held out from the speakers, proud of the background.
OK, I'm into silly-speak, but that is the way I'm going to describe the SQ change. It is entirely probable that other, more expensive cables will do the same thing or more but if you can spend $300.00 on wine for a weekend (and I can) then this AQ NRG Z3 is a bargain.
One other note: Wdw's system is extremely clear, full and detailed. The D440 with the Niagara 5000 and the Magico speakers turn all the bits into music in a remarkable way. My system is a few rungs down the ladder, but my Lawrence Audio speakers are probably the main change in sonic character. If you have speakers in the Magico camp, or if you have speakers that are .... less Magico, I think this power cable is a winner regardless.
Off topic, slightly, I'm still a bit surprised to discover that power cords can make such a difference. I found the same thing when I added Nordost's inexpensive Purple Flare power cord to my W4S Sonos Connect and Amp. Same thing into my Shunyata Denali D2000T power conditioner. I was... am... sceptical, but I'm fully willing to give up a case of Brunello for the budget AQ power cord. For those that are interested but reluctant to commit a mortgage payment to a silly piece of cable, this one is really worth it.
To describe the change, I found that this power cord opened up the sound, or delivery, quite a bit. It made things seem 'easier'. Some improvement in the bass definition certainly, but in my system, I noticed a very nice change in the way the midrange comes through. Vocals in particular are more forward and rounded. Thinking back to the upgrade from the Expert to the Pro series, some owners felt the Pro produced vocals in a less forward, more recessed way.
If that aspect of the Pro change was a disappointment, this $300.00 cable changes that back to the Expert midrange presentation; more forward and more rounded. The midrange becomes something you can hold in your hands, like a ball that is held out from the speakers, proud of the background.
OK, I'm into silly-speak, but that is the way I'm going to describe the SQ change. It is entirely probable that other, more expensive cables will do the same thing or more but if you can spend $300.00 on wine for a weekend (and I can) then this AQ NRG Z3 is a bargain.
One other note: Wdw's system is extremely clear, full and detailed. The D440 with the Niagara 5000 and the Magico speakers turn all the bits into music in a remarkable way. My system is a few rungs down the ladder, but my Lawrence Audio speakers are probably the main change in sonic character. If you have speakers in the Magico camp, or if you have speakers that are .... less Magico, I think this power cable is a winner regardless.
Off topic, slightly, I'm still a bit surprised to discover that power cords can make such a difference. I found the same thing when I added Nordost's inexpensive Purple Flare power cord to my W4S Sonos Connect and Amp. Same thing into my Shunyata Denali D2000T power conditioner. I was... am... sceptical, but I'm fully willing to give up a case of Brunello for the budget AQ power cord. For those that are interested but reluctant to commit a mortgage payment to a silly piece of cable, this one is really worth it.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
