Upgrading the power cable on the scoutmaster

[Ramarge3653]

Hello,

I'm just curious if upgrading the power cable on my Scoutmaster is actually going to improve the sound. In fact, I'm actually going through the majority of my components to change out the power cables. I was recommended the Audioquest NRG-2 as a solid mid range power cable. Can anybody comment on this cable as an upgrade and if it's compatible for the Scoutmaster? Also, I'm curious if the NRG-2 is rated at 15A, because I would like to change out the cable on my Furman 15 PFi line conditioner.

Any comments or advice is greatly appreciated.

[Tedrick]

I've upgraded nearly all of my power cables except for the ones that feed the motors on my VPI 'tables. Since the motors are not directly in the audio path, I figured there probably wasn't much benefit in changing out the stock power cords.

Audioquest makes good cables; I use lots of their interconnects and speaker cables. However, I wouldn't recommend their power cables for this application. AQ power cables are made of solid core copper, which means they are stiff. You may have have a hard time bending it to the right curve and/or shape you need to plug into the motor on your Scoutmaster. Plus, the cable may try to "unbend" once installed, which might cause the motor to move a little, thus causing the drive belt to slack off a bit and start to slip.

For your power conditioner, I'd look for something a little more substantial. NRG-2 is only 14 AWG, which is equivalent to regular lamp cord. So the NRG-2 wouldn't really give you much of an upgrade for your Furman. Personally, I look for used or close-out specials on older PS Audio power cables. They are beefy, well built cables that aren't quite as expensive as AQ, especially on the used market.

[Alec124c41]

Regular lamp cord is #18, heavy duty extension cords are #16, and house wiring is #14.

Cheers,
Alec

[Tedrick]

I stand corrected. In that case, the NRG-2 might be okay to use with the Furman, but if you use any high-powered amplifiers, I'd still think about going a bit bigger.

[Ramarge3653]

Thanks for the information.
I acutally got a deal for 3 NRG-4 cables on audiogon. I was actually a little bit disappointed after reading the reply because I didn't really know the major difference in AWG sizes. Currently, I am running thin, stock power cables on everything and I assume that this will be an upgrade. I plan on using the NRG-4 on my Woo Audio 6 SE headphone amp, Outlaw Audio 2150, and as the main power into my Furman line conditioner.

Any comments? I wish I would have waited to get a nasty 8 gauge power cable for my 2 amps, but I'm not sure that it's necessary. You guys know more, please let me know what to expect.

Regards,
Matt

[aardvarkash10]

only comment is I hope you didn't pay much... because what you should expect is no change whatsoever.

Soundstages will not widen, platter stability will not be enhanced, backgrounds will not become blacker.

Your wallet will be lighter though.

[Alec124c41]

6 feet of #8 wire makes a formidable weapon against anyone who sneers at a $1500 price on a piece of wire.

Cheers,
Alec

[aardvarkash10]

finally an honest appraisal of its functionality Alec!

For those True Believers, consider this, a medical grade power cable for less than $17.00.

Thats a power cable that is designed for life support equipment. And to operate around other life support equipment. A little more critical than the average turntable or amp I would have thought. $17.00

If you are considering spending (or have spent) more than this on an IEC power supply cable for any of your audio equipment, repeat after me: "My priorities are wak"

[33.3rpm]

The weak link logic is sort of defeated if it is considered that a kitchen sink water filter provides better tasting tap water.

That being said, I believe those magic "dots" may have a bigger effect on your Scoutmaster motor than an improved power cord...

[josephazannieri]

Yo Ramarge3653:

I just had to "upgrade" the power cable on my Garrard 301. The 57-year old 18 gauge power cord separated where the molded on power plug was attached and it stopped working.

I replaced the power cord with about 2 feet of 18 gauge stranded quality lamp cord with a molded on plug. It's black rather than the original brown, and the insulation is thicker and more flexible. Looks a lot better, and guess what, the soundstage has widened, the PRAT qualities of the 301 are amplified, and the bass has improved.

And if you believe that, I have some Elite Fairy Fur power cables to sell for $250 per foot, with Hospital grade plugs on them. (Note! No fairies are harmed in the production of Elite Fairy Fur Power Cables. They get monthly haircuts, which they enjoy, because they are fashionable elite fairies. The fur is woven by means of a magical process called Rapunzel Braiding, which literally sucks the electricity through the cables. You do have to turn the volume up a little to cover the refined slurping sound the cable makes sucking the electrons)

I spent nothing on my cord, because the cord that I used was a spare end that I had lying around. I got a nice looking installation at no cost, and, I got reliable power to the turntable, which certainly beat the old connection, which didn't work at all. I can't afford to buy the Fairy Fur Cables. Don't make enough money selling them. That's why they are $250 per foot.


I don't think I need anything more than 18 for my inferior record player. It doesn't seem to be starving for current. And, as others have said, the 20-amp circuit that I run my stereo off uses 12 gauge Romex in the walls. The short cable that hooks the turntable to the wall does not have that much of an effect.

But anyway, that said, get some decent 18 gauge, or if you want way overkill, 16 gauge wire, and hook it up carefully to a decent wall plug. That should get the job done.

And good luck from the old purveyor of fairy fur,

Joe Z.

[Ramarge3653]

Yo Ramarge3653:

the fur is woven by means of a magical process called Rapunzel Braiding, which literally sucks the electricity through the cables. You do have to turn the volume up a little to cover the refined slurping sound the cable makes sucking the electrons)

Classic post! Hurt my stomach from laughing, even if I'm the one getting slammed!
.

[33.3rpm]

BHichs says: Please explain how 6 feet of power cable can remove all the RFI from the line and undistort the A/C waveform. Also, please let us all know how it will stabilize the voltage.

A water filter removes impurities and may add some flavoring to enhance the taste of water. That is not what a power cable does (if it does much of anything different that a standard power cable).

The original question was whether or not an upgraded power cable would improve the sound of a Scoutmaster. Simple answer, no.

However, using an upgraded power cable on an active audio component is a different story given a playback system of adequate resolution.

The audition of an upgraded power cable such as an Audience Powerchord is recommended, though I am doubtful it will remove all the RFI from the line and undistort the A/C waveform as well as stabilize the voltage - sorry.

[aardvarkash10]

The original question was whether or not an upgraded power cable would improve the sound of a Scoutmaster. Simple answer, no.

good...

However, using an upgraded power cable on an active audio component is a different story given a playback system of adequate resolution.

...or conversely, a system with a suitably inadequate power supply design and poor psrr...

In short, any power cable that makes a difference to the sound of your system (real difference, not "gee that sounds kinda better...") is either replacing twine, or feeding a poorly designed pos.

"Adequate resolution" is, imo, a bully tactic used to ensure that any example put up is disputable ie it allows a claim that the inferior system Y is unable to resolve the dramatic difference cable X would normally make in... you guessed it.... a system with better resolution...

ymmv

[33.3rpm]

Well stated aardvarkash10.