Mister Pig
Pigamus Maximus
I find it interesting to read threads, where someone claims a component, or change they made creates a significant difference in their system. Then someone comes along and said they used the same component, or something similar and their experiences were nowhere near as dramatic, or even a non-event. I have always found it interesting that people can have differing experiences with the same or similar pieces.
But perhaps this recent event sheds a bit of light on it for me. I have had positive experiences with power cords from a certain company on my source components. I decided to order one for my integrated amp, however it takes a 20A end, so I could just not move a previous cord over for a comparative experience. So the new cord arrives, and I begin the break in process, which has its own set of detractors here, but never the less I do this. The results were positive in some aspects, and less than stellar in others. The manufacturer claims a longer break in time due to materials, and since this is a power amp its quite easy to put hours on it. So I get around the 100 hour mark and am not into this whole hog.
Now a friend of a friend calls up and wants to hear the system, and could he come over in the afternoon. Sure I said. So in preparation I pull this cord, and install the stock power cord. I really don't listen to the system, but start playing music in preparation. Once this fellow gets hear, he gets the chair time. We go through a lot of music, and he likes the system a lot. Got feedback confirmation that this fellow was just not being polite, but did like it. So that evening I finally sit down to listen to music, thinking this power cord isn't going to work and I am going to exercise my 30 day return option. I start a reference song, and I am taken aback. This sounds absolutely terrible, like its broken. I listen for awhile, but cannot take it any longer. Drop the new cord back in and things improve dramatically, however the parts where I have issues still exist. But in spite of them, I will take this sound any day of the week!
Now for me the differences were indeed dramatic. Yet for the other person the system sounded superb the way it existed without the power cord. I listen to it, and it sounds wretched in comparison. Different perspectives with the same system, based on different experiences.
Now, what I suspect is happening is that the revised system is showing issues with the interconnects. When I bought these interconnects I used different gear, SET and British sounding speakers. I preferred the lively presentation these cables had over some Cardas Golden Cross I was considering. But within the context of these JBL monitors and the hybrid Musical Fidelity amp, I suspect it has gone just too far. So I am looking to make an incremental change, and get a slightly less forward set of interconnects. What I originally suspected to be a flaw in the new power cord may very well be a different issue, but unable to be heard due to the grey and atonal nature, the limits per say of the stock power cord. I could easily see a scenario where a product might make significant differences in one system, yet have minimal effects in another. And then whose take on it is right? Or really are both listeners correct, and have a different ratio of cost versus performance ratio?
Now I know this is going to be a topic that is difficult to discuss rationally. However, there are a few on AK who know that capabilities of this system, and heard the effects of cabling in it. So, I am going to place a great deal of credence in what I hear and shared experience.
Regards
Mister Pig
But perhaps this recent event sheds a bit of light on it for me. I have had positive experiences with power cords from a certain company on my source components. I decided to order one for my integrated amp, however it takes a 20A end, so I could just not move a previous cord over for a comparative experience. So the new cord arrives, and I begin the break in process, which has its own set of detractors here, but never the less I do this. The results were positive in some aspects, and less than stellar in others. The manufacturer claims a longer break in time due to materials, and since this is a power amp its quite easy to put hours on it. So I get around the 100 hour mark and am not into this whole hog.
Now a friend of a friend calls up and wants to hear the system, and could he come over in the afternoon. Sure I said. So in preparation I pull this cord, and install the stock power cord. I really don't listen to the system, but start playing music in preparation. Once this fellow gets hear, he gets the chair time. We go through a lot of music, and he likes the system a lot. Got feedback confirmation that this fellow was just not being polite, but did like it. So that evening I finally sit down to listen to music, thinking this power cord isn't going to work and I am going to exercise my 30 day return option. I start a reference song, and I am taken aback. This sounds absolutely terrible, like its broken. I listen for awhile, but cannot take it any longer. Drop the new cord back in and things improve dramatically, however the parts where I have issues still exist. But in spite of them, I will take this sound any day of the week!
Now for me the differences were indeed dramatic. Yet for the other person the system sounded superb the way it existed without the power cord. I listen to it, and it sounds wretched in comparison. Different perspectives with the same system, based on different experiences.
Now, what I suspect is happening is that the revised system is showing issues with the interconnects. When I bought these interconnects I used different gear, SET and British sounding speakers. I preferred the lively presentation these cables had over some Cardas Golden Cross I was considering. But within the context of these JBL monitors and the hybrid Musical Fidelity amp, I suspect it has gone just too far. So I am looking to make an incremental change, and get a slightly less forward set of interconnects. What I originally suspected to be a flaw in the new power cord may very well be a different issue, but unable to be heard due to the grey and atonal nature, the limits per say of the stock power cord. I could easily see a scenario where a product might make significant differences in one system, yet have minimal effects in another. And then whose take on it is right? Or really are both listeners correct, and have a different ratio of cost versus performance ratio?
Now I know this is going to be a topic that is difficult to discuss rationally. However, there are a few on AK who know that capabilities of this system, and heard the effects of cabling in it. So, I am going to place a great deal of credence in what I hear and shared experience.
Regards
Mister Pig
Put some lipstick on that pig and then see what kind of responses you get.
