Revelation Audio Labs Passage CryoSilver Reference DualConduit DB25 Umbilical Cord Upgrade for Pass Labs Preamp

 Posted by Tan

I was thinking about what I could do to improve my system further short of upgrading any of the main components and without a major financial outlay. My mind turned to cable. As I had been pretty happy with the cable combination I was using, from power cords to interconnects to speaker cables, I thought of one cable in my system that I had not done anything with, which was the umbilical cord that went between the 2-chassis Pass Labs XP20 preamp that connect the separate power supply to the main body. 

I had been using the umbilical cord supplied by Pass Labs with the XP20, a DB-25 cable similar to the parallel cable used to connect to our computer to a printer before USB connection became ubiquitous. Just that Pass Labs' version looks chunkier, felt heavier and is of a better build quality than the printer type. 

I googled to see whether there were any 'audiophile' DB-25 cables out there, the picking was indeed slim, I came up with just a couple, which was not surprising as the market for such cables must be very small. 

I chose to go with Revelation Audio Labs from the US (http://www.revelationaudiolabs.com/cables-power/index.htm, they make power cords, interconnects and speaker cables in addition to a few types of umbilical cords used in various manufacturers' products) as their version looked particularly well made, but of course I was purchasing on faith and luck as I had no means of testing it beforehand, being thousands of miles away.

Purchases with Revelation Audio Labs can be made via their website or ebay, shipping is free worldwide. The standard 0.75m length for the DB-25 cable costs USD999 and add US189 for every additional 0.25m. I made my enquiries and duly placed my order. During the (anxious) 2-month wait for the cable to arrive, my queries on the ship out status was promptly replied by Revelation Audio Labs, and there was no hiccup in the final delivery. 

Indeed, when I finally had the cable in hand, I was impressed with the build quality. The cable is made up of 2 separate cables intertwined into one. It has a wider girth than the Pass Labs' version. Revelation Audio Labs says that the analog power supply voltages is separated in a dedicated discreet conduit from the digital control signals within the cable. The connectors at both ends are mil. spec. Amphenol male-to-female DB-25 connectors and solid cast metal shielded shells. 

The cable is somewhat stiff but as my preamp's 2 chassis are placed closed together I had no problem in connecting them.

I thought I had to let the cable run in for a while before I could discern any significant changes but I didn't really have to. After I swapped in the new cable and pressed play on my cdp, I could hear clear changes, nay, improvements in my system's performance immediately (Revelation Audio Labs says that they run-in their cables before shipping). These improvements were consistently heard over the next days and weeks.

The immediate sensation I had was that the noise floor was lowered. The vocal and musical instruments were now playing on a darker background, the body of each became a tad cleaner and clearer, but the air around each, and also of the recording venue, was not diminished. In fact the ambiance in the recordings was further enhanced and easier to discern. Additionally, the little edginess in the highs in some recordings that I thought was from the recordings themselves was either diminished or eradicated entirely, the highs became just that bit smoother and silkier. 

With this, many low level details became more apparent, it was like turning the focus ring on a camera lens just so slightly to improve on an already good focus. What I thought was extraneous noise on some recordings before was actually little details captured, such as an unintentional touch of the finger on a string, or a soft smacking of the lips by the singer. Nuances and vocal inflections in the artists' performance were also better resolved, heightening my listening enjoyment. 

One improvement area that I thought was worth the entire upgrade cost alone was the bass. Bass became more impactful and better controlled. Bass notes were also better defined. On plucked double bass for example, the body of each note was better delineated, and I could hear the start and decay of each note more clearly. 

I am really impressed with the Revelation Audio Labs' DB-25 umbilical cord. It is a significant improvement relative to the outlay. If you have a Pass Labs preamp with external power supply, you owe it to yourself to try out this umbilical cord upgrade. This is a great product, highly recommended! 

Another Passive Filter? FFA Power Line Filter & DC Noise Blocker

The FFA Power Line Filter & DC Noise Blocker is basically a power cord with a box of passive filtering components inside. Frankie says one can order the FFA with US style NEMA-5 plug as well

Another day, another passive power line filter comes to market place, so what's so different about this one? Since I have played with most of the PLC or filtering device out there? 

Well for a start, this is a locally designed & made product. Designed by my buddy, non other than Mr Oh, the hifi repair man that most readers will by now be familiar with, if you've had hifi equipment repaired by him, you're in good hands! Yes, designed by Mr Oh, but made by Frankie Fong! So who is this Frankie Fong? Some may ask. I only met Frankie when he brought me a pair of the FFA Power Line Filter & DC Noise Blocker for this review. This guy is our Malaysian Elvis King apparently! Don't believe me, look at the CD cover below! Yes, Frankie has an album dedicated to all of Elvis early career songs. He's a pretty good singer too. I would love to see him perform as Elvis one day.....

 

Frankie Fong is a big time Elvis fan and does cosplay performances as well. He lives the Elvis way when on stage! 

FFA = Frankie Fong Audio? yeah right.............. You tell me, Can this Frankie Fong may be as famous as the other Frankie(Frank Powerbank fame) in our Malaysian audio landscape? Only time will tell.  The FFA Power Line Filter is basically a power cord attached with a plastic box of passive components inside to do some passive filtering of electricity as it comes in to your hifi equipment. DC Noise in power line? Don't know how to verify that either. As I plug in the FFA power cord with a box to my hifi equipment, I heard some nice improvements which I like!

First and most obvious, the bass tightens up. In my small room, big speaker set up, some room modes do remain untamed, but with the FFA plugged in most of those pesky room modes are either gone or audibly reduced. Next improvement noticed is stereo separation. In much audiophile music where there are lots of sound stage location cues, the FFA makes them more dramatically pronounced, in a nice sort of way which doesn't sound artificial, unlike some of the other tweaks I've played with in the past. And possibly the last  noticeable effect is the back ground noise becomes darker, as most good power line filters or conditioners tend to be.

However, one thing stood out for me with this FFA power cord. It prefers to work with a power line conditioner in front of it. Meaning in my case, the power from wall first goes to my Torus Power RM-16UK with my usual power cord, then to the hifi equipment via the FFA! If I just use the FFA direct from wall to equipment, the results are less impressive. The bass less well controlled, but still better than without the said FFA, stereo separation panning effect is less pronounced, and there is virtually no "darker" back ground noise as well. This is actually not normal.

And so, I tried the FFA in my HT system where I used 2 units of Weiduka AC-8.8 power line conditioner, one for my stack of sources & amps, and another one for my pair of SVS PB-2000 subs. I used the FFA to run the pair of SVS subs with & without the Weiduka in place. Again I heard the same great leap of performance with the Weiduka in use, and lesser performance gains without the PLC in use. I can't explain what I heard, but that's what I heard.

So my take is the FFA plays more like a supporting role in the whole power management for your audio or HT system. It actually takes performance levels up a notch or two with any power line conditioner is use together, but on it's own, my probable verdict would be YMMV!

However due to the excellent results I got with the FFA at the small outlay of MYR599/unit, I bought the review pair and they are now in use in my HT system. FFA can be ordered on FB market place, or one can call Frankie Fong direct at 016-2380220 to find out more.

Another Power Cord Comparo?

My Kuzma Stabi SD set up, with 12 inch arm and Benz Micro LP cartridge, still same as before. However, I never though switching power cords to the AC speed controller(left) can make so much changes to the sound

Agree or not, power cords do make a difference to the sound of hifi that we hear. My experiences with power cord, or any other audio cable, is well documented in these pages. However, almost all the power cord swapping I made was direct to electronics, such as power cord to CD player, or cassette deck, pre-amp & power amps surely. Love the journey so far.

However lately, I am a little baffled when I swapped power cords to the AC speed controller of my Kuzma Stabi SD turntable. Why am I baffled, you asked? Well you see, unlike a CD player or cassette deck, the AC speed controller has no electrical connection what so ever to the turn table, tone arm or cartridge! The AC speed controller only powers the belt drive motor, which only point of connection to the turn table is the rubber belt, which is mechanical! So, in a way you can say electrical changes the working properties of mechanical, if the sound I heard is different from swapping each of the 4 power cords below? I will run down what I distinctly heard with each power cord below:

    

Audi Agile Concept Tuning is a shielded power cord design. However in this application, it just sounded very un-refined with white hash, not very good for a shielded design 

First up, the Audio Agile Concept Tuning power cord. Once plugged in to the Kuzma AC speed controller, the music has a nice rhythmic sure foot ness to the sound, as some would recognize as PRAT factor. The tonality was very neutral balanced high, mid & low. Bass was bold, solid and nicely tuneful. Mids are un-colored but the highs is where this cable fails. There's a constant white hash mixed in to the high frequency reproduction which results in a somewhat streaky and shrill treble. Cymbals are splashy & high hats sound edgy & hardened. May be that was why the Kuzma CAR-30 cartridge sounded the way it did? Because at that time of the Kuzma CAR-30 review, this power cord was used and perhaps the Kuzma was just reflecting the contributions of the Audio Agile Concept Tuning power cord? Was I being fair to the Kuzma? I think it might be time to re-visit that cartridge in the near future..........

  

Supra Lorad 2.5 power cord is a very soft and nicely shielded design, which I used in a variety of application, but doesn't seems to work well enough for this AC speed controller use

The Supra Lorad 2.5 power cable is next. Once I swapped the Supra in, replacing the Audio Agile, the first & immediate relief is the high frequencies. Gone are the splashy cymbals and hardened high hats. The white hash that's mixed in to the music's high frequencies are much, much reduced too, but nevertheless, I still heard a bit of the white hash. Much like the Audio Agile, the mids are neutral but bass is a little less tuneful, or bouncy as they say. Bass body is no longer as bold, but still maintained a nice degree of solidness. Overall, this is a much better cable, for the Kuzma AC speed controller for it's sins of omission which is for all purposes, less offensive, but no less enjoyable.

PS Audio Punch power cord. I have more than a few PS Audio power cords used in my hifi system, and it's one of my go to power cords usually. Not sure why it's the worst sounding cable here?

Next up replacing the Supra Lorad, is the PS Audio Punch power cord. This is the thickest and least flexible power cord of the group. I had to wrestle it like a cobra before I could get it to plug in to the Kuzma AC speed controller IEC socket. And once plugged in the weight & the rigidness of the PC Audio Punch power cord caused the light weight AC controller to stand on it's hind legs! I had to put a weight on the AC speed controller for a day to keep it on all 4 feet. Once I started listening, the sound ain't that pretty either! 

The PS Audio sounding so slow, that I have to re-calibrate the speed controller for 33 &45 rpm a few notches faster. Next problem is the bass, which is fat & muddy. Mid range is totally over warm to the point of sounding over riped. The highs are rolled off and surprisingly, not too refined either! The only good thing was that the white hash is gone! I waited a few days, hoping for the power cord to settle down, and hopefully things will improve. However it still sounding more or less as described above even after 2 weeks in the turn table system. I had come to a point where enough is enough!

To be fair, I later used the PS Audio Punch power cord on my Teac UD-501 DAC and it sounded extremely pleasant & nice, which took off some of the digitalis grain from the streaming music. Well at least it didn't go to waste...............

    

This Gotham 85025 cut from reel power cord & Copper Color plug combo really surprised me for it's low cost to performance ratio. Possibly one of the best DIY power cord one can make

The last and final candidate is a DIY effort where I bought Gotham 85025 cut from reel power cord and self terminated with Copper Color Rhodium plugs for both IEC and NEMA ends of the power cord. I must remarked that from my experience using those China made Copper Color plugs, they are some of the best value, nicely built and great sounding plugs, if your budget does not stretch that far or you may feel Furutech plugs are not required. The Copper Color plugs are probably the best China made plugs you can buy today.

Sorry, I digressed. I proceeded to remove the PS Audio Punch and use this Gotham power cord instead. The moment the needle first dropped, I knew I am experiencing musical bliss again. Yes, the AC controller speed had to be tuned down again for 33 & 45rpm, after the PS Audio adjustment. Once the speed was set right, everything is nice and balanced, with a top down coherent of frequency reproduction. No more white hash audible in the highs either. The highs were clean yet refreshingly airy, smooth with no trace of edginess or hardness. The mids are nicely rounded and projected slightly up front, which makes the vocals stand out from the music. The bass starts & stops accurately, with clean note to note transfer, and no hang overs. The cables are not overly thick, slightly stiff, but still very bendable and at the very least, no need to wrestle it like a cobra.

Of the 4 power cords I tested here, I found the Gotham cable & Copper Color plug combo most balanced & satisfying to listen to. So impressed with it, I made another set of the same combo to power my Linn LP12 Mose kit external power supply box for the Hercules Gold II board.     

I can neither explain or validate what I experienced with the 4 different power cords and how it effects the sound of the turn table, despite being non electrically connected. It's just another of those things in hifi that baffles the mind. If you are reading up to here and think you have a good explanation to my experience, please comment below. I am looking forward to learn from you guys too!

IEC Socket Improvements?

IEC power socket

 

Typical standard factory installed power cord with molded 2 pin plug

 

As some of our avid readers will know that I have 2 cassette deck in my collection. I have a Teac V-670 & a Nakamichi DR-2. Both decks came with a standard factory power cable built in to the back panel, with molded 2 pin plug, as pictured above.

In my past DIY tom foolery, I also know that replacing that standard factory power cable with 2 pin plug with an IEC socket, which would then allow you play & experiment with power cords can bring about sonic differences or sound advantage. So I went about and did just that to both my cassette deck.

In any IEC socket replacement project, the major work is in drilling, cutting & filling out that rectangle hole, in which the IEC socket needs to sit in to. The Teac V-670, with it's plastic body & rear panel was a relatively simple task. All I need was to heat up my cutting knife and slice thru the plastic back panel to create the approximate opening, do so filling to even the finishing, solder the wires to the L &N pins of the socket, make sure to get the polarity right. Drill in 2 screw holes and use 2 pieces of self tapping screws to tightened and you're done! My work was completed in less than half a day.

With the Nakamichi DR-2 going thru the socket process is not so easy. Due to it's high build quality, the Nakamichi had proper steel 2U chassis, with a 2 layer steel back panel! I had to first drill, cut & file on the inner back panel as part of the 2U chassis. Then have to align the hole on the outer back panel, by drilling, cutting & filling over the same rectangle hole, but only this time, I need to be more precise as this is cosmetically exposed. It took me more then 2 days to complete the job!

Now that both the tape decks got an IEC socket, I can start to play with power cords. I had a piece of Gotham 85025 power cord measuring 1.5 meter & terminated it with US style NEMA-5 & IEC Copper Color plugs. These are realistically beer budget priced plugs with decent build & sound quality plugs. 

Copper Color power plugs, available in choice of copper, silver, gold or rhodium coating. IEC side is also available. Very good value for money to build & sound performance ratio. Serving most of my HT plug requirements now. Goes well with Gotham 85025 power cords too 

Now with my power cord completed, I can start listening for sonic bonuses. First up is my Teac V-670 cassette deck. Now with the capability to use the Gotham power cord, I find the Teac gave much better clarity and vocal focus. A layer of white or tape hash just wiped away. Highs are crispier, more well defined and bass is now less wobbly. The addition of the IEC socket & after market power cord brought a world of sound improvements to my Teac cassette deck!

Next to be played is the Nakamichi DR-2, now plugged in using the same Gotham power cord, nothing can prepared me the big counter surprise!  I was expecting some kind of sonic bliss, even if small, as from my knowledge, Nakamichi had a much bigger transformer & superior power supply design, with multi stage regulation. With an improved power supply in the Nakamichi, I was some how still expecting some improvement if not as dramatic in sound quality. I listened real...... hard, but I heard no difference what so ever in sound. I mean it still sounded as well as it could be, before or after the installation of the IEC socket & use of aftermarket power cord! However, as I listened on....... hoping to hear some sound difference, all I got was same old, same old, no better, no worse for sound!

So in the end I have to accept the conclusion that NOT all equipment may benefit from the fitting of an IEC socket or after market power cords. I think most do, but others like the Nakamichi do not. I think some equipment's power supply design is already well optimized, and will leave no scope of benefit from using after market power cord. Unexpected, but true!

And I just wasted 2 days of blood(really), sweat(elbow grease, lots) & tears(no sonic rewards)...........

                                                      

 

Fused In Gold, Bussmann, Aucharm & AMR Hifi Gold Fuse Comparo

Here is the Aucharm 13 amp gold fuse, compared to a standard grade Bussmann 13 amp fuse that comes standard with most high end equipment or power cord terminated with BS plugs

If you look at tweaks, and if you're like me, having toyed with almost any novelty that hifi tweaks dom has to offer, and scraping the bottom of the barrel for shit to write home about, eventually you'll come to this, Hifi Tuning Fuses! Now, I know I am not the first to write about it, and certainly will not be the last to do so too, but perhaps this multiple fuse comparo will interest your attention for just a few short minutes? 

I know based on web site statistics, now days the average attention span is 3 minutes or less, and the music producers knew about it a long time ago, that's why since pop music became available, the genre never broke the 3 minute long rule, until Freddie Mercury & his band Queen came about with a song called Bohemian Rhapsody, which is more than double the standard 3 minute time format!

Sorry I digressed, but this topics about the BS 13 amp fuse got me all hot & bothered, you know why? Because that little shinny gold tipped ceramic body fuse does changes the sound! And with each fuse brand, the sound is different too! For better or worse, only once you plug those pesky little gold fuses and you'll find out!

From here on I will attempt to describe each of the 3 gold fuses that I have in hand and how I used them in my system to get the sound & picture quality to my preference.

Bussmann 13amp gold fuse for bass prowess

First, I'll start with the Bussmann gold fuse. In hifi application, Bussmann BS(British Standard, not the other BS) 13 amp is the de factor choice of many hi-end equipment manufacturers in markets like Malaysia, or the Commonwealth, where the British Standard to 220V - 240V power delivery is used. And until now, virtually all my 13 amp fuses are this standard Bussmann grade, until I got one of Bussmann gold grade came with one of the MSHD plugs that I bought. Compared to the standard Bussmann grade, this gold fuse does sound slightly more muscular in the bass area. Bass comes across as BIG, BOLD & strong! the result is kick drums kicked harder, plucking of double bass has more force, and bass lines are solid, yet tuneful, and easy to follow without muddiness. I didn't fine much difference in the mids, but perhaps, top end was just a tad more refined! 

 The Bussmann gold fuse, with it's standard ceramic body & printing looks just like the usual standard grade, except the matt looking gold coated tips on both end caps. In other words, it is not a visual stand out from the standard Bussmann, in terms of appearance & sound. Certainly useful for those who want to squeeze a little more bass energy out of the system. 

Aucharm 13 amp gold fuse, for spot lighting high frequencies against a pitched dark sound stage or back ground

Next up is the Aucharm 13 amp gold fuse. The Aucharm looks better finished compared to the Bussmann, not make it off all three, with it's nice shinny gold coating on the end caps, and a very striking blue hue ink printing on the ceramic body.

Sound wise, the Aucharm is the direct opposite of the Bussmann, it's main focus lies in the upper frequencies. Top end is a little emphasized, but that may be the way because the treble is contrasted to the background is so......... dark, and completely hash free! If my hifi system presentation is correct, it sort of gives a slightly spotlighted effect on the cymbals & high hats, and percussion instruments. However, there is also a small downside to this fuse, that way it highlights the high frequencies, with some female vocal recording when she is coming to her hi-octave falsetto, there could at times be a bit ear pinching. I must say say it doesn't happen with every recording but just with the odd few CDs that I listened to, so happens. 

The good part is, the Aucharm is very affordably priced if you just look at Lazada or Ali Express.

   

AMR 13 amp gold fuse shows maturity in refinement & overall well balanced sound properties of a well tuned product, as can be expected froma hi-end equipment manufacturer like AMR

 

Lastly is the AMR 13 amp gold fuse. This is the most expensive fuse of the lot, at just the edge to my give up to purchase pricing, but it didn't stop me from getting 3 pieces. 

However, it's pricing does show a voicing maturity resulting overall balanced sound from top to bottom frequencies, and very refined top end. Bottom end is not as gutsy as the Bussmann, but nevertheless still nice and tuneful. the over all presentation is quiet, and free from hash(though not as dark background as the Aucharm). It also doesn't spot light the highs like the Aucharm. So in essence, it's just a very refined, quiet and noise free tuning. And like all well tuned products, it never lets a hair down, or have any rough edges to the sound. Everything is where it should sound like, but just more refined & less noise. 

So, in the end how did I used the fuses to tweak my hifi & HT systems? Yes, plural, because I have stereo separated from my multi channel HT system. 

First up, in my stereo system, I only used the AMR & Aucharm gold fuses. I used the AMR in the power line where all my pre-amp & sources are powered. Then I used the Aucharm in the power  lines that drive my power amp. I loved the refined balanced on the AMR for my sources but as I had a bit of rowdy bass response in my system, I would use the Aucharm in the lines that drive my power amp to tightened the bass and give and overall darker sound stage.

In my HT system, I used  the AMR again, to power all my source, AV Receiver, EQ and power amp. the Aucharm powers all my auxiliary items like Google Chromecast & Arcana HD Fury. And lastly the Bussmann Gold to supply juices to my twin SVS subs as I want the bass to rock my HT room, especially when watching those earth quake or natural disaster movies!   

As hifi tuning fuses are another controversial topic, if not more controversial than cables such as power cords, your comments & brick bats are welcomed in the comments section!

Gutwire C Clef2 Powercord

My first encounter with audiophile powercords was when they first appeared on our shore a couple of decades ago. They were from XLO, the ones with the green and purple jacket, terminated nicely with chunky MK UK plugs. They cost just a few hundred Ringgit for a 1m length, but was considered a princely sum then.  Despite what my engineer friend would say, these audiophile powercards actually brought some improvements to my system, reducing background hash and making the music sound more coherent.

The audiophile cable market has exploded since then. There is an abundant of choices now, at various price points. I myself have tested a few over the years, and can attest to the different ‘flavours’ that the disparate brands bring to the table, just that why it should be so, I can’t explain.

Anyway, to support the case of getting a good powercord for our hifi equipment, I like to see the electricity from our wall as the raw material that makes up the music signal all the way in our hifi chain until it reaches the loudspeakers, so if we can maintain or improve the quality of our electricity supply, the quality of our music replay should be better too.

The Gutwire C Clef2 powercord is the subject of this write-up. The C Clef2 goes for RM2,650/5 feet and RM3,350 / 8 feet. It sits in the middle of Gutwire’s 12 model strong powercord range. This is a very well made powercord, it feels solid and heavy holding it in my hand. The specifications from Gutwire’s website states the following:

• Cable Diameter: .975"
• Conductors: Multi-Strand High Purity Oxygen Free Copper
• Insulation: Low dielectric Polyethylene
• Discrete Conductors: 279
• Shield Coverage: 100% Copper braided shielding
• Shielding Type: Quadruple with individual shielding
• GutWire Electron Rectification Processing (GREP): Yes
• Conductor Current Carrying Capacity: 52A
• IEC Connector: Wattgate 15A or Hubbell 20A
• AC Connector: Hubbell Hospital Grade 8215(15A) or 8315(20A)
• Option: Wattgate 330i AC plug

Since I have only 1 piece of C Clef2, I can’t try this hefty powercord on my monoblocks. Instead, I tried it on my Ayre C-5xeMP universal player and Pass Labs XP-20 preamp in turn, and in both cases replacing Shunyata's Python Helix Alpha powercord.

The Gutwire C Clef2 was already in use for some time at the dealer’s. At my place, its performance settled down after a few of hours of use. Over the 2-week test period, the character of the power cord did not change. The first character from this powercord that announced its presence was ‘Quietness’. I'd describe this quietness as such - when no music was playing, I felt the room was just that little bit quieter, and when music was playing, the background was slightly darker and the silences between notes were, well, more silent. Switching back to my own powercord, while I was not able to discern obvious noise, I just instinctively felt that it was ‘noisier’ and the music sounded just a smidgen edgier.

The Gutwire C Clef2 has an interesting feature that I have not seen in any other powercords I came across. It has a little clip connected with a thin wire to the cable shield. You can earth the shield by clipping the clip to your equipment’s chassis. The difference between earthing and not earthing the cable shield in my system was minor. If I am pushed, I might say that I could discern just a little bit more quietness with the shield earthed. Your mileage may vary so please do experiment.  (Note: this feature is not to be confused with the earth wire in the powercord itself. The earth leg of the powercord is always connected).

The overall sound from this powercord is definitely ‘North American’ (Gutwire is Canadian) – big, bold, solid. The bass was strong and well defined, the mid was meaty, and the high was clean. Detail portrayal and delivery of musical nuances were very very good, I suppose this point is greatly helped by the quietness of the powercord. As it is, I’d just like to ask for a little more sparkle to the highs, in order to take fuller advantage the TAD-CR1 loudspeakers that I use, but that is just me. The clean highs from this powercord will balance nicely with a system that has some issues with brightness. It will also counter any roughness in that area.

Do check out the Gutwire range at the Audio Store. Contact Mr Aw at 03-78872233

CMY Audio & Visual Gets MS HD Power!

Good news for folks hunting for power products on an econo budget. CMY Audio & Visual has sourced a new brand of China made power delivery product with excellent build quality and reliability, a visually excited John(CMY head honcho) tells me.

They are great for budget hifi and AV requirements, and comes with a range of contact metals available, platinum being top dog. John assures that they're super affordable for the quality. We've being promised some to try soon.

For more details, call John or Dicky at 03-21439206.

Power Wow Now! Supra LoRad 2.5 Power Cord.

The Supra Lorad 2.5 has a simple shielding scheme, utilising only a gold coated tin foil, wrapped around the conductor cores.

Just when you thought I had my fair share of power cord play, here's another one to consider! It's the Supra Lorad 2.5, available from A&L Audio Station as loose cuts from reel at RM$89/meter, which is very reasonably priced, considering the quality on offer. The chunky 13AWG, tin plated conductor core is shinny and rated to carry power loads of up to 16 amp, now that's more like a power cord for feeding power amps. The shielding method is rather simple, with only a gold coated tin foil wrap around the conductor cores, but if it's effective, then why not?

The Supra Lorad 2.5 power cord is directional, do take note when terminating.

I bought a meter of the Supra Lorad 2.5 home for trial(with hope that it works). Termination is much easier and faster due to it's simple internal design and layout. Like the Furutech FP-314AG power cord, I choose to use the same grades of China made generic gold plated IEC plugs on one end and the Indian made, BS standard, 13 amp fused MK Duraplug, the other end, again in the interest of keeping cost low. The termination work took less than 30 minutes. I then proceeded to plug the Supra Lorad 2.5 in between the wall socket and the Denon AVR-1612 surround receiver.

The finished cable.

From the very first movie, tittled Red Tails, the solid bass response tells me that I've found what I've been looking for. The Lucasfilm movie which script fictionalized around the all African American member squadron of Tuskegee Airman serving the USAF during the closing days of WWII, has plenty of heroic dogfights and combat tactical fighter vs bomber scenes between the USAF and Hitler's much feared Luftwaffe. The rumbling engines of the WWII bombers and fighters were weighty and there's enough low end grunt now to carry the big aircraft engine noises and loud dynamics of explosive scenes convincingly. I should mention that the CGI graphics on this movie is impressive too. I've never experienced any symptoms pointing to lack of power or the 5 x 120 watts rated Denon receiver running out of breath, at least not with the Supra Lorad 2.5 delivering the juices. All other aspects being equal, I couldn't detect other areas of performance improvements.

A comparison, Furutech FP-314AG(left) and Supra Lorad 2.5(light grey).

I do find the qualities of the Supra Lorad 2.5(when used to power AV receivers) rather complimentary to the Furutech FP-314AG(used to power front end, in my case the Pioneer BDP-140 Blu-ray player), when put together. The results of both these power cords in my AV system are highly commended for what is a small budget outlay, in the scheme of things.

Supra is sold at all A&L Audio Station outlets, contact Yap(Wah Chai) at 03-79582884.

Power Pow Wow! Furutech FP-314AG Power Cord.

Furutech FP-314AG power cord is available as loose cut off reel.

The Furutech FP-314AG is a pretty good looking power cord for something that's available as off cuts from a reel. The thick looking jacket with directional markings hide the very high levels of shielding and screening this cable is equipped. The silver plated 14AWG conductor cores looks shinny and nice too. I bought 1.5 meter of this Furutech cable with intention to serve the power hungry Denon AVR-1612 receiver in my recently set up AV system.  I took the cable home from Hi-Way Laser and proceeded to terminate the cable on both ends. My initial plan was to use the brilliant Furutech plugs on the IEC end, but budget constraints put an end to that thought, I used generic China made, gold plated IEC plugs instead. I used Indian made, BS standard, 13amp fused MK Duraplug for the other end. Termination work was fairly straight forward and took no more than 45 minutes to have both ends securely terminated.

The very elaborate shielding and screening designs incoporated.

Silver plating for L & N conductors, high purity copper for E.

I proceeded to use the Furutech FP-314AG to power the Denon AVR-1612 receiver, and found the sound took on a crystalline clear quality, with slightly more extended highs than previously. Vocal projection from the center chanel was effortless in it's delivery, and that made following movie dialogues much easier. So far so good, but there's a down side to this power cord, the power delivery was still suffering from strangling effects of the 14AWG conductors and sounds from highly explosive scenes were rendered more light weight than usual. Sub bass didn't seem to extend as low as before. I didn't think this cable is good for power hungry amps.

I then swap this Furutech cable to power my Pioneer BDP-140 Blu-ray player, via a figure 8 to IEC adaptor. I think the result is much more pleasing now. Visual colour contrast were slightly easier to discern and pictures took on a sharper, crispier quality. Sound quality retain it's crystalline clear character as heard when used to power the Denon AV receiver. I concluded that this Furutech FP-314AG power cable is much better suited to power front end components, rather than used to pull heavy loads of power amp.

The finished DIY power cord.

Priced at RM$125/meter(cable only), this is obviously not a cheap DIY-er power cord. However I admired the engineering and quality build that comes with it and when used to power front end components, the results were more than satisfactory for a less than RM$300.00 cable adventure.

As of now, I am still looking for a big ass power cord for my Denon AVR-1612 receiver.

Furutech is sold by Hi-Way Laser, contact Kenny at 019-2813399.

Wow! Wow! ASI AES/EBU XLR Digital Cable & Power Cord.

Guess how this posting's title came about? John(CMY Audio & Visual boss) was telling me if I liked the 75ohm RCA ASI digital cable(which I wrote about sometime ago), wait till I plug in the XLR version, "you'd go Wow!" he said. He continued that if I proceeded by adding ASI's power cord, that I'd go Wow! again. He further added that for one to completely benefit from ASI cables, the full cable loom is the way to go.

I brought the 110 ohm XLR digital cable and a pair of ASI power cords home to power my Bryston BDP/BDA-1 combo for this review. the ASI cables dressed in blue/black breaded sleeve are rather thin and feels some what stiff, but nevertheless, well built. I've been told not to bend them too tightly, for they might snap! The XLR digital cable are terminated with standard Neutrik male/female connectors on both ends, while the power cord is terminated with male/female Yarbo IEC sockets.

110 ohm AES/EBU XLR digital cable, in it's wooden box and certificate.

I first plug the XLR digital cable in between the Bryston BDP-1 media player and BDA-1 DAC. I recalled it had all the same qualities of co-axial version version but takes them a few notches up. I reported a very fast transient response and dynamic sounding cable, accompanied by a warm, rich and smooth top end with quiet back grounds, in my original encounter with RCA version. The XLR version of the ASI digital cable was even faster, harder and deeper in bass and dynamic penetration(does this sound a bit like porno promo here? Ha! Ha!)  The XLR version is quieter too in the musical back grounds, which allowed for easier to discern of finer details within the musical mix. I found the highs retained their warm, rich, smoothness, yet added a bit of sparkly sheen and crispness to sizzling high hats and cymbals. This cable starts and stops like a speedy Gonzales. It's exciting and "live like" as in concert energy wise. Wow! indeed.

ASI power cord, in it's box and certificate.

A few days later, I proceeded to add the pair of ASI power cords in to the mix, replacing my usual AOR Reference 003 to power my Bryston digital combo. Here, the power cords added a dimensional aspect of time and space to the equation. The ASI combo reminded me again of the JPS Aluminata digital cable, which is my reference to date. The staging and imaging factor now feels more complete and realistic with elbow room for each musician and "air" around the instrument, while maintaining the tight, exciting rhytmic flow.  One of the most highly entertaining cable combos I've tried to date. Wow! Again.

Prices for the ASI cables are as follows:

1 meter AES/EBU XLR digital cable = RM$2,350/pc.
1.8 meter power cord                        = RM$4,230/pc.

ASI is sold by CMY Audio & Viusal, contact John Yew at 03-21439206.

Best Cables 2011.

Cables remain controversial within audiophile community, because many are in the opinion that moneyed monkeys spend silly money on cables, while there are many in the high end community who are convinced that cables are just as important as any other equipment in the hifi chain.

We are pretty satisfied with the cables we had in hand, except for my search to obtain the best digital cable that I could practically afford. Hence the list below reflects my personal "best" choice rather than the ultimate.

I am a big fan only the JPS Aluminata range, this co-axial digital interconnect didn't disappoint.

JPS Aluminata Digital.

This was the first cable I tested during my search for a suitable digital cable, and has since remained my benchmark for other cables to emulate. Stunning transparency and zero noise floor results in digital music coming alive and breathing in my man cave. Every little detail and harmonic texture of each musical instrument, voice and emotional content is transferred wholesale to the next equipment in the hifi chain. Staging and imaging is life like, as if "I am breathing the same air with the musicians"(borrowed this from a good, good friend) experience! Possibly one of the best sounding digital cable money can buy today.

Wireworld Starlight Platinum is a top contender in the digital cable stakes.

Wireworld Starlight Platinum Digital.

This Wireworld equals the performance of the JPS Aluminata in so many ways, that it's hard to favour one over the other. However the Starlight Platinum out does the JPS in the bass department. I found the meatier bass quality highly enjoyable, only because it was just as articulate with a propulsive nature. It's only in the highs where the JPS sounds more open and extended, compared to the darker top end of the Starlight Platinum. It's a though choice between this two alpha cables and I know more than a few people who made this digital cable their reference, but for me it's the JPS Aluminata, if only by just a hair. It's that close a call!


Entreq Discover offers well rounded sound quality without silly prices. 


Entreq Discover Power Cord.

Entreq is a new brand represented by Swedish Statement. I had the chance to try out their Absolute Reference power cord, but ended up liking this cheaper Discover model instead. The Discover offers honest build quality for the price and more importantly, balanced, if a slightly immediate sonic character to suit a vast variety of high performance systems. It's not exactly cheap, but still offers excellent value.

VooDoo Reference Digital, my current reference.

 VooDoo Digital Reference.

VooDoo cables offers excellent price to performance ratio across the range. They may not be the best, but they certainly come very close in terms of sound quality, for a fraction of the asking prices compared to those snooty alpha cables. The VooDoo Digital Reference is lightly built, but will certainly be lasting with gentle handling. It's my starter cable while aspiring to something better in the future. 

Here are a few other cables that impressed me in 2011.

1) Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 6 Interconect
2) ASI Liveline Digital Co-axial
3) Supra DAC XLR Gold Digital
4) AOR Reference For Torus Power
5) MIT Shotgun MA Speaker Cables

Power Trip! Entreq Challenger JV - The Absolute Reference & Discover Power Cords.



Energy Transforming Equipment!

Noticed if we've gone easy on cable reviews? That's because as Odiosleuth puts it ever so elegantly, "I don't really wanna sweat over the small stuff". That means cables normally don't excite us with significant enough performance advantage, over the ones we already have in our systems.

So I was rather surprised to find significant leap in performance with these Entreq power cords. Entreq is the latest brand to be represented by Swedish Statement, whose dealers include Ultimate Reference AV, Audio Art(Ipoh) and Audiomatic. Entreq products are all designed and made in Sweden by Per-olof Friberg, a self confessed farmer, who lives in harmony with nature. His products reflects his life's philosophy and hi-end audio art. Go Goggle for Entreq if you wanna learn more about this interesting man and his audio references.


The shot gun configured Challenger JV-The Absolute Reference is the alpha power cord in the Entreq range.

Now, we get to the cables in question. There are 2 samples submitted to us, first is the shot gun configured Challenger JV-The Absolute Reference, which is the flagship model. Then there's the mid range Discover model. Both 1.5 meter cables are well built, with cotton sleeves(especially the black Discover, which looks much like a standard kettle cable from the 70's!), and are terminated on both ends with quality Furutech plugs(the Challenger comes with the best that is the FI-50 series plugs, which are carbon fibre bodied). The shot gunned Challenger JV also sports a wooden clamp, presumably to align the 2 separate cores and provide some form of resonance damping. It's packed with a wooden box made of recycled pine.


A nice recycled pine wooden box to pack the Challenger JV.

I first plugged the Challenger JV in to my Pass Labs X-2.5 pre amp, as it offers the easiest access. Compared to my existing PS Audio xStreme Statement SC power cord, the Entreq is a total different level of beast all together! The sound of my system took on a much more organic, softer, and less edgy quality. The high frequency reproduction deserves a special mention, in regards to it's smooth, refined, and naturally airy quality, which is not really hard to do, right? But what makes the highs so out standing is that it's as if my system took on a pair of diamond tweeter ed Kharma Exquisite Reference speakers, in place of my usual PMC Fact 8! The mid range density is oozing with a certain healthy glow. The bass remains supple but does not hit particularly hard. This power cord also improved transparency as a result of it's silent back ground.String instruments, the violin, viola and piano in particular were rendered exceptionally life like. I played the Jz 8 CD, with Maestro in making Tey Cher Siang on piano, I remembered I had to previously confirm with Maggielurva, if he had actually used a grand piano in the recording of the album? He answered YES! But all this while, I got the impression in my system that it sounded more like an up right, than a grand piano. If previously the "grand" is missing from the piano, with the Challenger JV powering my Pass Labs pre-amp, the grandness of the "grand" piano is now audible, as reflected in the recording.

There's an overall lushness to the presentation of music which suited most acoustical and un amplified music just fine. However, I must caution that in some systems which are already some what biased towards warm tonality, then adding the Challenger JV may manifest as too much of a good thing perhaps?

Lastly, priced at RM$11,000.00, the Entreq Challenger JV ain't exactly a bargain either, but in the context of a suitably super high end system, it has qualities that can make those too analytical/clinical a system shine.


The Discover model is mid range and mid priced too. 

Next, I substituted the Discover power cord in place of the Challenger JV, still using my Pass pre-amp as the point of change. I found the cheaper Discover cable to be more tonally balanced, yet still affording a tinge of warmness, enough not make this power cord sound sterile. That special Kharma speaker like high frequency reproduction is now no more, replaced by a still smooth, and refined, if some what less airy presentation. The mids are a little more open, with less density and body. The bass takes on a tighter and more solid foundation. I also found a slight back ground "haze" a.k.a. white noise present. The "grand" sensation in the grand piano of the same Jz 8 recording is also reduced accordingly. The transparency factor is still excellent, if less so compared to the Challenger JV. The Discover cable will present music with more immediacy too, which I enjoyed tremendously.

However, with it's more balanced tonality, the Discover will do rock and pop music with great verve and energy. It does not have that overly lush characteristic of the Challenger JV, which makes it more compatible with more systems in general.

With a price tag of just RM$3,055.00 the Discover will certainly find it's way in to more systems meaningfully. I totally enjoyed my time with the Discover cable, even after stepping down from the more capable Challenger JV.

The Discover is terminated with Furutech FI-11 Cu on both ends. The little wooden tag is a nice touch.

 While at the Ultimate Reference AV showroom, I was also treated to the Entreq range of speaker cable and interconnects. I find them to out perform their price range and do provide exceptionally good value for money. Still have your doubts? Go try give the Entreqs a try.

The Challenger JV comes with product literature and manual too!

Entreq is sold by Ultimate Reference AV, contact Ms Goh at 03-77314999.

Adam Classic MK III Speakers, Now On Demo In Ultimate Reference.

Adam Classic MK III Black Pencil speaker.

The Adam Classic MK III speaker is now on demo in the brand Ultimate Reference showroom located in PJ. This fine Adam speaker is demo-ed with SAT(Swedish Audio Technology) power amp and Vitus CD player as source.

The system proved highly resolving and refined with excellent dynamic response. I had an enjoy able time sampling the demo system today.

Entreq power cords from Sweden.

Also new to Malaysian soil is the latest Swedish Statement brand of Entreq powercords, which claims to be more of an energy transforming equipment. We have review samples in hand and shall be putting them to the test!

By the way while you're there do check out their impressive AV installs too!

Do call for a visit appointment by contacting Ms Goh, at 03-77314999 before making your way there.

A Big Step Forward - Shunyata V-Ray v.II & Black Mamba-HC CX 20A

I am a Shunyata fan. My love affair with Shunyata started 3-4 years ago when I was looking for a power line conditioner and came across a Hydra 8 (version 1) unit. The Hydra 8 produced a beguiling midrange, added a little warmth to the bass, and imbued the whole sound with a musical energy which made it attractive for long hours of fatigue-free listening. I have been living with it since.

You could also call the Hydra 8’s sound a little rose-tinted or a little golden hued. After listening to a number of other power line conditioners, I found the others indeed may sound more neutral. I know, my meat could be someone else’s poison. However, if one fell for the Shunyata’s colours, it is not easy to pull away.

After the Hydra 8, I tried a Shunyata Taipan Helix power cord on my source component, a Copland CD822 CD player. The energy and poise the power cord added transformed that CD player’s performance. I liked it so much that I went the whole nine yards, changing all my power cords to Shunyata Taipan Helix and Python Helix.

Among the lot, the biggest contributor to the overall sound is the Python Helix 20A from the wall to the Hydra 8 unit and another Python Helix from the Hydra 8 to my current frontend, the Ayre C-5xeMP universal player. It is also my experience that Shunyata power cords shine best in a complete Shunyata system; having one or two pieces of Shunyata in an array of other brands would not allow the full Shunyata flavour to come out, in my opinion.

So, given my affinity for Shunyata, when Big E told me that CMY has taken over the Shunyata distributorship in Malaysia and the Hydra V-ray v.II, the top dog in Shunyata’s power line conditioner hierarchy, was available for a listen, I was extremely interested to say the least.


The Hydra V-ray v.II comes in with a list price of RM20,590. The construction is similar to the Hydra 8 (now also upgraded to v.II status), which is basically a very sturdily built rectangular box slightly bigger than a loaf of bread. It has an aluminium fascia, and comes with a power switch and 8 American style outlets at the back. Shunyata says that the outlets are individually filtered. The ‘magic sand’ inside the box is there, Shunyata calls it ZrCa-2000, a noise reduction compound. Therefore when you pick up the box and give it a shake, it sounds like sand sloshing inside the box. As a bonus, the V-Ray v.II comes with a free SR-Z1 wall outlet, the same kind as the ones on the V-Ray v.II itself.

The V-Ray v.II is rated for a power throughput of 2,400 watt, unregulated, and a 20 amp continuous / 50 amp peak current capability. The V-ray also has surge protection of 40,000 amp and an electromagnetic breaker for over-current.


I started by plugging the V-Ray v.II to the wall with my Shunyata Python Helix Alpha 20A power cord. I plugged all my components into the V-Ray v.II, just like I did with the Hydra 8. In my new room, I did try plugging the more power hungry monoblocks directly into the wall outlets. Initially, the sound seem to have become more revealing, however, long term listening showed that it was noisier and harsher, it was not comfortable to listen to beyond 20-30 minutes. So, at the end I preferred to plug the monoblocks into my Hydra 8. I had the same result with the V-ray v.II.

How did the V-Ray v.II performed? Let me just not beat around the bush, the performance of the V-Ray v.II is streets ahead of the old Hydra 8!

The first difference I noticed was pronounced – the frequency response of the system was much further extended, it went way low in one direction and way high in the other.

An excellent example is from a jazz piece - Sonny Rollins’ ‘Way Out West’ from the album of the same name. The double bass notes were energetically thumping away from the woofers, each pluck packing a little punch, going lower than I heard before from my system. Noteworthy too was the way the V-Ray v.II made the notes sound more distinct from one other, the tune in the double bass playing was heard much more clearly, and the rhythm it carried was simply infectious.

On the same track, the cymbals and high-hat were much improved on, there was much less of the feeling of ‘a cloud of high frequencies’, each hit was more cleanly delineated. They also had the spread-in-air and illuminating-the-space qualities.


In addition to the improved extension at the frequency extremes, the V-Ray v.II brought with it a much lower background noise, instruments and vocals were playing on a cushion of velvety blackness. Clarity and details improved further, focus was better. The vocal from Pop Pop Music’s ‘Brasileiro Z Yan’ album was locked in between the speakers and rendered a couple of feet further in from the speakers’ plane, the staging was also very dimensional. Despite all these improvements in details and focus, the sound did not lose its good body, which Shunyata is well known for. It did not become thin.

As a further improvement, Shunyata pulled the V-Ray v.II away from the old Hydra 8’s rendering of tonal colours. If you think the old Hydra sound was too ‘flavourful’ for your taste, sort of a little too much ajinomoto, then you’ll find the V-Ray v.II not having much of such folly. The V-Ray v.II takes a big step towards neutrality.


At the tail end of the listening period, I replaced my older Python Helix Alpha 20A on the V-Ray v.II with the new Black Mamba-HC CX 20A (HC stands for High Current). I was pleasantly surprised, the musical performance did not diminish one bit. This is despite the fact that the Black Mamba is the replacement for the Taipan, which was one rung lower than the Python, its price is also lower than the Python by 20-30%. For a 2m cord, the Black Mamba lists for RM3,100. The Black Mamba also took a step towards neutrality compared the old Python Helix, which I think is now the new general trend for Shunyata products.


The Shunyata V-Ray v.II and the Black Mamba-HC CX impressed tremendously. Those who love Shunyata and have the requisite deep pocket, you have my envy.

Shunyata is carried by CMY Audio & Visual, contact John, tel: 03-21439206