Wadia and power cords.

P.C.

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
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Vancouver, WA, USA
I've owned a nice new silver 381 cd player for just over a year now, and am very happy with its performance. I was wondering if any more experienced Wadia owners have any thoughts and experiences of using specific higher end power cords . Have they in your opinion really give a real and worthwhile improvement (taking their cost into account as well) or have changes generally been small .
My general thought is that I should just save my money and stick with my Supra Lorad 2.5 which seems to be working just fine. But would like to here what other Wadia users have experienced.
Thanks Philip. (ps. I have a couple of dedicated ac lines, but no power conditioners)
 
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AMP

Member
Feb 27, 2011
299
2
16
I've had good luck with power cord changes on Wadia products. Typically I observe a drop in the noise floor which generally results is an improvement in detail retrieval. I've tried Shunyata Pythons (Alpha, not VX) and Transparent (Reference Power Link and Power Link XL MM). Both were good, but I preferred the Transparent cables (more neutral).

I'm a proponent of power conditioning so I would lean toward an investment there before worrying too much about the power cord.
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
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I had Transparent cords on my 270/27ix as well. Too bad I still don't have them.
 

P.C.

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
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0
1,561
Vancouver, WA, USA
I'm a proponent of power conditioning so I would lean toward an investment there before worrying too much about the power cord.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, if rather than power cords which Power conditioner would you recommend I try.
A I have a very simple system. Just the Wadia 381 running directly into a Nagra PSA (pyramid SS ) amp. (Speakers are Harbeths.)
Are there any conditioners with just 2 or possible 3 outputs that work well with both a digital and analogue equipment .
Or with me having two separate dedicated lines already. Would it make more sense to use two single sourced conditioners , such as Purist audio's Single point power conditioner.
 

AMP

Member
Feb 27, 2011
299
2
16
Thanks, if rather than power cords which Power conditioner would you recommend I try.
A I have a very simple system. Just the Wadia 381 running directly into a Nagra PSA (pyramid SS ) amp. (Speakers are Harbeths.)
Are there any conditioners with just 2 or possible 3 outputs that work well with both a digital and analogue equipment .
Or with me having two separate dedicated lines already. Would it make more sense to use two single sourced conditioners , such as Purist audio's Single point power conditioner.

It really can go either way and the end result will likely depend on your budget. You'll definitely want a solution that will allow you to isolate the 381 from the PSA, but most good conditioners will provide isolation between banks of outlets. With your amplifier connected you'll definitely want something which won't limit current draw.

I'm currently running a Shunyata Hydra 8 on my front end components which provides 4 isolated banks of outlets. This allows me to separate the S7i from the preamp and phono stage. This weekend I'm going to try a couple of Transparent products (PIR and PIMM) with the analog and digital components connected to separate conditioners.

Right now I'm only really familiar with the Transparent and Shunyata products. Both are very good and well respected. The shunyata conditioners don't include power cords so you'll need to factor that into your budget.
 

egidius

Member Sponsor
Feb 13, 2011
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Switzerland
I have wondered about European products? In the states, the Elrod statement power cord is considered non plus ultra, but what about europe?
I am not sure: Wadia recommends no power conditioning.
BTW, mine is also a GNSC, I consider it outstanding.
 

audioguy

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Near Atlanta, GA but not too near!
I just switched from BalancedPowerTechnologies (top of the line unit) to the APS1050 (for my front end) and APS2000 (for my Bryston amps). They are battery backed power re-generators generating balanced and "perfect" 120hz 60cycle power. Not only does the battery offer the ability to run without wall power for short periods of time, but just as importantly, allows momentary current draws that exceed the output of the wall since the battery can supply extra power.

HIGHLY recommended. Excellent sounding.

One of the better investments I have made in my system for a very, very long time!!
 

FrantzM

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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I just switched from BalancedPowerTechnologies (top of the line unit) to the APS1050 (for my front end) and APS2000 (for my Bryston amps). They are battery backed power re-generators generating balanced and "perfect" 120hz 60cycle power. Not only does the battery offer the ability to run without wall power for short periods of time, but just as importantly, allows momentary current draws that exceed the output of the wall since the battery can supply extra power.

HIGHLY recommended. Excellent sounding.

One of the better investments I have made in my system for a very, very long time!!


Way to go Audioguy!!

I haven been preaching Power REGENERATION for now many years in all Audio Forums that I frequent .. Yet audiophiles remain reluctant ...:confused:
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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www.genesisloudspeakers.com
Doesn't the EU have balanced power?

No. In the US, the cooker circuit delivers 230V using 2 phase. In the EU and Asia, it's 230V single phase. The way neutral is tied to ground is also different in the US and 230V land.
 

egidius

Member Sponsor
Feb 13, 2011
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ignorant me.

No. In the US, the cooker circuit delivers 230V using 2 phase. In the EU and Asia, it's 230V single phase. The way neutral is tied to ground is also different in the US and 230V land.

i apologize for outing myself as a complete ignorant: How is it different. And more to the point:
I thought that the Wadia S7i has some sort of power generation inside, or is this just sales talk.

e
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
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Doesn't the EU have balanced power?

No, we have 230V 50Hz unbalanced. The neutral is connected to the earth at the power station, and we have a mandatory local ground for the ground wire that must be connected at the entrance point in the building.

In some countries it is not legal to have a separate ground for your hifi system or any other appliance - the code states that you should have a unique ground point, accessible for check, for the all electrical system. :(
 

flez007

Member Sponsor
Aug 31, 2010
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I had a Wadia 6 some years back that benefited from using a Kimber AC power cord as well as Magnan Vi RCA cables a lot!
 
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LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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Hi P.C. i have used PAD Dominus/Ann Contego Power Cables on most of my system for years. Recently, howver, i got to know a big Audiophile Mark Coles who has developed his own cable design and company which has received very positive reviews from Positive Feedback . i heard Stereotimes might also have it for review now.

The company is called Sablon Audio, and i have now bought 3 of his cables. They are very good and cost much less than PAD. Check out the website. The name of the cable is the Robusto. It is exceptionally good...remarkably good detail, clarity with a focus on very natural tonality in the highs and mids. i thought perhaps if you get one and like it, you will have the PC high-end performance you are looking for with a some leftover money for conditioners, etc. Good luck! and pls keep us posted. (Note: i know Mark but am not affiliated with him in any way.)
 

audioguy

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Near Atlanta, GA but not too near!
Way to go Audioguy!!

I haven been preaching Power REGENERATION for now many years in all Audio Forums that I frequent .. Yet audiophiles remain reluctant ...:confused:

I have previously used the original PS Audio re-generators (on my front end stuff) that were not very efficient but they did work. But these new guys are seriously much much better. I wasn't expecting much improvement over the BPT but was pleasantly surprised. I must have really crappy power in my equipment room and theater.
 

egidius

Member Sponsor
Feb 13, 2011
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sorry to be so persistent: Why does Wadia not recommend Power filters? And What more do I need to do, being in Switzerland, good net and dedicated line???
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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egidius, I think that the problem is that the forum members have realized that may be there is too much of a difference between US and European electricity to make any concrete suggestions. I lived in Singapore and UK, and now live in the US. A lot of my assumptions with power line that I brought from Singapore is wrong in the US. For example, in Europe and Singapore, it is illegal and dangerous to have a separate ground rod for the music listening room. When I was living in Singapore, my condominium building had our own power substation and I had a separate line drawn from that power station with its own breaker and meter just for my hifi system. Here in the US, when my neighbour down the street starts up her hair dryer, I think that I can hear it in my hifi system - even when I have a dedicated line.
 

fas42

Addicted To Best
Jan 8, 2011
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NSW Australia
Here in the US, when my neighbour down the street starts up her hair dryer, I think that I can hear it in my hifi system - even when I have a dedicated line.
Is that still the case, and if it is, do you have power conditioning of any type in operation? I have certainly found that component sensitivity to power quality to be key, and I have done some major efforts in mimimising that, using passive components ...

Frank
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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Seattle, WA
www.genesisloudspeakers.com
I think that you need far more power conditioning here in the US than you do in Australia. May be that is why there are so many companies selling different power conditioners and power cords :) I use all IsoTek - but they are a UK brand.
 

egidius

Member Sponsor
Feb 13, 2011
430
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923
Switzerland
sense!

ah that makes perfect sense; i feel kind of relieved to think I do not need it, when I don't hear a difference.

so i stay with my dedicated line and hope for the best in swiss electricity..
e
 

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