$8,400 Power Cord, $8,995 Power Distributor, I'm a flat earther with this stuff, BUT

Peter Breuninger · Feb 9, 2013

How the heck can a super power strip and power cord make my soundstage 20% wider. Why does my system have way more inner detail... it's a power strip for gods sake. The HB Cable Design Marble and the Stage III cable Kraken power cord have shaken my belief system. The system sounds as if I threw the 5.1 switch. And get this, I've only hooked the preamp to them. Is $20,000 single malt this good? Am I nuts?

I was (very) hesitant to review these products and I thought before I pass them to a team member for formal review I'd give them a try.

I shot the video of the HB in October and I thought, while it's a cool product for those who believe in this stuff... and I'm sure it will make a difference (like sideways), I never imagined it would elevate the system's speed and bass, and warmth, there's just more there. How can this be?

treitz3 · Feb 9, 2013

Hello, Peter. While I can not comment on the sound, I can say that the build quality is impressive. Extremely nice looking product IMO.

Tom

ack · Feb 9, 2013

It sounds like you have a noisy system, and this strip/cord combination reduces noise dramatically. I got comparable results with the MIT Z-Strips, though subjectively less than 20%.

GaryProtein · Feb 9, 2013

It reminds me of a 5 carat flawless, blue white diamond ring.

It doesn't actually do anything, but it looks pretty and may make you feel good.

Peter Breuninger · Feb 9, 2013

GaryProtein said:
It reminds me of a 5 carat flawless, blue white diamond ring.

It doesn't actually do anything, but it looks pretty and may make you feel good.

Gary,
I was in total agreement with you (audio jewelry) until I plugged it in. In fact, I just called the importer to utter my amazements (I don't normally do this). He doesn't understand why it works as well as it does. It's only wire, it's totally passive, but it can pass 40 amps.

Lee · Dec 10, 2013

Peter,

I'm one of the more humble experimenters here but I have to say I am thrilled with my PS8 conditioner from Shunyata. It is making a far bigger improvement in sound quality than I anticipated. It's just wonderful. Looks great too!

Jazzhead · Dec 10, 2013

I am almost fully Krakenised , all except for the Zyklops on my DAC . Freakishly good cord . Very interested to know how much of the Marble's potency, is due to the Kraken . Does it turbo-charge as much with other cords ?

Speedskater · Dec 10, 2013

Where do they put the 'UL' sticker?

BlueFox · Dec 10, 2013

It amazes me in 2013 people still ask these questions. Cables, and power, matters. However, I suspect another vendor's products provide equal, or better, results, but at a lower cost.

jfrech · Dec 11, 2013

In your video you missed the 5.1 switch inside the power strip ;-).

Power is crucial...I am starting to think it maybe more (or as) important as signal cables...

taters · Dec 13, 2013

Lee said:
Peter,

I'm one of the more humble experimenters here but I have to say I am thrilled with my PS8 conditioner from Shunyata. It is making a far bigger improvement in sound quality than I anticipated. It's just wonderful. Looks great too!

I thought the Ps-8 was a distribution network?

chumlie · Dec 13, 2013

BlueFox said:
It amazes me in 2013 people still ask these questions. Cables, and power, matters. However, I suspect another vendor's products provide equal, or better, results, but at a lower cost.

Shunyata perhps.

edorr · Dec 13, 2013

taters said:
I thought the Ps-8 was a distribution network?

I was wondering the same. It is my understanding it is a high grade powers trip, with no filtering. You would think the best it can do is not degrade SQ, improvement is a bit of a headscratcher. Thenagain, if you used something that degraded sound before, I guess it can be rationalized.

Jazzhead · Feb 23, 2014

The combo .... http://dagogo.com/stage-iii-kraken-...gn-marble-powerslave-power-distributor-review

Alrainbow · Feb 23, 2014

If that helped you that much then try a ps audio P10. And hear and see the results with video and audio .

I did not believe it either until I did my own A/B testing. And for video you do not to go back to A.
It had about 1000 times less output resistance than the wall power . And in multi wave mode it increases the total capacity of PSU,s weather switching or standard. And having the low output imp it eliminates the noise going back to line from noisy PSU,s. They have a 30 day trial I think.
Al

Empirical · Feb 23, 2014

If you think that is cool, you should try a Plasmatron on all of your digital devices:

http://www.vhaudio.com/plasmatron.html

I use one of these on all of my digital and it makes a huge difference. Here is why: this thing regulates the AC voltage. It drops the voltage a tiny bit in order to maintain a steady AC output voltage. Uses Thyratron tubes. Everyone that has used this at shows buys one. It's that good. It will transform your digital.

I don't sell them, but Chris V. is a buddy. They are spendy BTW, around $3K.

Steve N.

Alrainbow · Feb 23, 2014

Steve I have no doubt if you say it
I beleave it. I own your offramp 5 all the options
It greatly improves almost every DAC
I have tried it with. I t even improved a lampi
And the ps audio DAC as well. I will try it soon.
Al rainbow

Ronm1 · Feb 23, 2014

Hi Steve

The thyratrons I am familiar with on surface search were quite large. Course that was in the late 60's.

Empirical · Feb 23, 2014

Ronm1 said:
Hi Steve

The thyratrons I am familiar with on surface search were quite large. Course that was in the late 60's.

These Thyratrons are about 6-7 inches tall. Puts out 250W from 4 outlets,

Steve N.

Ronm1 · Feb 24, 2014

Empirical said:
These Thyratrons are about 6-7 inches tall. Puts out 250W from 4 outlets,

Steve N.

Don't remember the rating but just about twice as large. Same with those in an old Univac 7tk tape drive. Two large purple glowing Thy's, one per hub/reel.

$8,400 Power Cord, $8,995 Power Distributor, I'm a flat earther with this stuff, BUT

[Industry Expert] Member Sponsor

Super Moderator

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member

VIP/Donor

[Industry Expert] Member Sponsor

Well-Known Member

VIP/Donor

Well-Known Member

Member Sponsor

VIP/Donor

New Member

New Member

WBF Founding Member

VIP/Donor

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Member Sponsor

New Member

Member Sponsor

Similar threads