Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 8, 2014 10:23:42 GMT -5
It seems that Pangea is the most common "starter" cable for people trying to upgrade different power cables. Some people stick with Pangea, and some decide to spend even more money after hearing what a difference an entry level power cable can make. My first replacement cable was a Pangea AC-14 for my source. Then I installed an inlet in my AVR and went with an AC-9SE. The SE (signature edition) is one step up from their entry level model. The AC-14 is more flexible (meant for source component), but for anyone thinking of buying an AC-9 (meant for amps, subs), I wanted to post a couple pics and show how stiff they are. You need to make sure you have enough room behind your component to use one of the stiffer cords. Thicker than a garden hose. I'd recommend 6 to 7 inches to make a 90 degree bend without putting any stress on the cable or inlet/outlet. Both of mine were purchased used. This is what I paid, to give you an idea of used market prices. Keep in mind I'm a thrifty shopper, so these are probably better than average used prices. I'm a huge fan of getting great results after spending little money. AC-14 $22/shipped. (lower noise floor, more detail) AC-9SE $75 + $16.08 shipping. (lower noise floor, more detail, tighter bass) Nice score on those prices man! Pangea are on my list to try, but my 2 channel system is still kinda in flux so I dont wanna buy anything now that might be too short later, and as you've found out given the space needed for bends, dont want to get something thats too long either lol. I am thinking about looking to find The Great Polkholio's suggestion of PS Audio cables but they run much more than the Pangea's.... so maybe I will keep en eye out for those. For an AVR, would you go with the 9 or 14? And if your using it as a pre-pro would that recommendation change any?
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 8, 2014 13:56:03 GMT -5
Nice score on those prices man! Pangea are on my list to try, but my 2 channel system is still kinda in flux so I dont wanna buy anything now that might be too short later, and as you've found out given the space needed for bends, dont want to get something thats too long either lol. I am thinking about looking to find The Great Polkholio's suggestion of PS Audio cables but they run much more than the Pangea's.... so maybe I will keep en eye out for those. For an AVR, would you go with the 9 or 14? And if your using it as a pre-pro would that recommendation change any? What I noticed more than anything with the AC-9SE was the bass. It has a much more solid punch to it, which was a welcomed sound since my RTi8's don't go very low. I even noticed tighter bass in my center channel. They don't go lower, but they just hit more solid, which makes it seem like the bass goes lower. I think we talked about this once, but a couple people told me it was due to the thicker gauge power cord. My original PC on the AVR was 14 gauge, the AC-9SE is 7 gauge. The AC-14 is 14 gauge. So personally I'd go with the thicker gauge for anything with an amp. I'd guess the thicker guage would be less important if the AVR was only being used as a pre-pro, but I'm a novice at this stuff, so I'm just guessing. I've never tried the standard AC-9, so I have no idea of the audible differences in an AC-9 and AC-9SE. But Skip has used both the AC-14 and AC-14SE and he noticed a difference between the two. But yeah man, the AC-9SE is extremely stiff, and super difficult to twist if you needed to align it with the inlet or outlet. Have no idea if the SE is stiffer than the standard 9. If I ever found a good deal on a longer AC-9SE, I'd buy it for my sub. I plan on replacing the sub with a used SVS, but I'd still be able to use the Pangea for the newer sub. Both my AC-14 and AC-9SE are 1 meter lengths, I should have mentioned that when I listed the prices I paid for them. I'd need a three footer to reach my sub. I'd also need an adapter to fit the inlet. Yeah, if I were to go with Pangea rather than PS Audio or some other company, I would likely put a 14 on my amp(s) which will hopefully be down to 1 at that point for my speakers and only need a 1m to connect to my APC H15, and then my sub amp, which would likely need a 2m cable based on where I will have to mount it. I am still looking at moving some stuff around so hopefully I could get a 1m for both amps and be done. My sources will eventually just be a Xbox 360, WD Live TV + External HDD, Squeezebox, Pre-Pre/AVR, TV and a Uverse DVR box. Of those sources the WD Live + External HDD, Uverse DVR & Squeezebox all use 12v wallwarts so cant upgrade the cord on those (though I could upgrade the PSU on the Squeezebox but not gonna do that). The Xbox 360 I could upgrade the powercord and likely will but would go with the lower model cords. The AVR could go either way. If I get a dedicated Pre-Pro will likely go with a small gauge. If it is a AVR that may drive speakers at some point, then I would likely go with the larger gauge. Like you said I worry about being able to comfortably plug the cables into my APC H15. Heck I might even get a nice cord for that too, and then a better outlet to boot lol...... Right now I have a couple heavy duty 12/3 cords I've acquired over the years that are fairly stiff and do a decent job.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 9, 2014 16:09:16 GMT -5
Last year during Thanksgiving, didn't you travel down I-65 in Indiana? If I can find a couple spare cables to use, I could meet you at an I-65 exit just before you cross over to Kentucky and give you my two Pangea cables to try out for a week. Then you could ship them back to me. Assuming I'm in town during the holidays and you are going to be making the trek. That would give you an idea on the sonic differences in Pangea cables and whether or not the stiffer cables could be used on your system before spending the money on cables. I don't have trained ears like a lot of you guys, but I thought they made a considerable difference. We did, but this year due to the stupid call center program, she didnt get that time off. So instead we are doing Turkey day here w/ her family... We may try to take a trip down to TN at some point before then. I may take you up on that, but right now with looking to switch up my amps, I want to focus on getting a newer nice amp in place, learn how that is and then look to improve. Plus if the price is right on them, 100 bucks isnt a horrible price to pay for a powercable. But the fewer I need the better lol...
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Sept 17, 2014 11:50:14 GMT -5
Yes....tighter mid/lower bass control. I'd go for the upgraded cord.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 20, 2014 21:36:50 GMT -5
Hey Herm, couple questions for you
On either of your current cables are the ground pins removeable?
Also have you noticed they started making a AC-14 XL model that uses a similar termination to the PS Audio cables and has a removeable ground pin.
The B&K amp I got has a IEC so I looking to upgrade my power amp and possibly pre-amp/AVR but the AC-9 doesnt come in a XL model.
Thinking the XL would be good for my AVR and the AC-9 for my amp(s)......... just dont know if the AC-9 XL is in the works soon lol...
Either way I will keep my eyes out for the Pangea stuff.
Looks good bang for the buck.
That or wait for some PS Audio's to go on sale and get the AC-3 for my AVR and the AC-5 for my amp(s)
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Sept 21, 2014 4:39:53 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry so much about a removable ground pin on a power cable. A 2 buck cheater plug does the same thing from any hardware store. A better option is upgrading your wall outlet to at least hospital grade.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 21, 2014 8:16:42 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry so much about a removable ground pin on a power cable. A 2 buck cheater plug does the same thing from any hardware store. A better option is upgrading your wall outlet to at least hospital grade. The removeable ground pin is "nice" but its more about the fact they cold weld the XL model (just like PS Audio) rather than have screws on it. That for me is the main big deal. The PS Audio cords are my preferred ones, but they are pricey once you get over 1m cables which I would need at least a 2m cord for my sub amp if not 3m....
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Ender
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"I want my 2 dollars" - the "paperboy"
Posts: 183
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Post by Ender on Sept 21, 2014 9:08:00 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry so much about a removable ground pin on a power cable. A 2 buck cheater plug does the same thing from any hardware store. A better option is upgrading your wall outlet to at least hospital grade. The removeable ground pin is "nice" but its more about the fact they cold weld the XL model (just like PS Audio) rather than have screws on it. That for me is the main big deal. The PS Audio cords are my preferred ones, but they are pricey once you get over 1m cables which I would need at least a 2m cord for my sub amp if not 3m.... Going to rearrange my rack and see what I can do. Moving the APC to under the AVE and then all the source gear to the right side cabinet and likely taking my bluray player out of the mix entirely since I don't need it anymore. Probably end up with needing longer HDMI cables (1.5 or 2m) from the Sources to AVR but hopefully shorter powercables to the amps (B&K middle section and Dayton sub amp top cabinet above AVR) and better isolation between source signals and power.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Sept 21, 2014 9:51:35 GMT -5
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Sept 21, 2014 9:53:41 GMT -5
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 21, 2014 10:51:55 GMT -5
Hey Herm, couple questions for you On either of your current cables are the ground pins removeable? Also have you noticed they started making a AC-14 XL model that uses a similar termination to the PS Audio cables and has a removeable ground pin. Neither of my cables have removable ground pins, unless you use a heavy duty pair of wire cutters. I knew about the AC-14XL, but they are a bit pricey for me. Not saying they aren't worth the money, but the SE models are more in the range that I'm comfortable shopping in, especially on the used market. I'd like to upgrade my standard to AC-14 to the SE version. FYI, just to be clear, this end plugs into the wall outlet or power conditioner: And this end plugs into the back of the component: I didn't want you to be perplexed by trying to figure out how to make the prongless end fit into a wall outlet! Thanks Herm. I think with moving the gear around I can get by with 1m cables when it's all done. I like the 14 XL till you get to price. Like you I may save by going used off eBay. Or I might just save up and go w PS Audio AC-3 and AC-5 cables when I can.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Sept 22, 2014 12:52:30 GMT -5
FYI Audio Advisor has a nice sale going on for these cables... Very nice prices, especially on the stock versions.
Likely going to pickup a 1m AC-14 SE (pre-amp), a 1m AC-9 SE (B&K), a 2m AC-9 (sub amp) and if I can stretch my wallet a .6m AC-14 SE (xbox). They dont have any more AC-9 SE 2m hence going with the AC-9 for the sub amp. The difference in cable shouldn't matter that much for a sub amp cable I hope... Also dont think the xbox really "needs" a better cable, use that for video games and streaming hulu/netflix and it does OK with that as it is.
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Ender
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"I want my 2 dollars" - the "paperboy"
Posts: 183
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Post by Ender on Sept 22, 2014 17:32:21 GMT -5
FYI Audio Advisor has a nice sale going on for these cables... Very nice prices, especially on the stock versions. Likely going to pickup a 1m AC-14 SE (pre-amp), a 1m AC-9 SE (B&K), a 2m AC-9 (sub amp) and if I can stretch my wallet a .6m AC-14 SE (xbox). They dont have any more AC-9 SE 2m hence going with the AC-9 for the sub amp. The difference in cable shouldn't matter that much for a sub amp cable I hope... Also dont think the xbox really "needs" a better cable, use that for video games and streaming hulu/netflix and it does OK with that as it is. Call me crazy, but i can't find one Pangea cable that is on sale. That is their normal price. You can't go by Regular Price/Our Price, that's sort of a scam, because they never sold for the "regular price". Gotcha, looked like the AC-14 SE was a very low price for the 1m, as were the AC-9's and AC-9 SE's...
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Post by Percy on Jun 23, 2021 11:03:23 GMT -5
Post Removed due to graphic content
Pitdogg2
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