January 14, 2017
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Simaudio 820S, Part 9
Before we cover the effects of powercords on the Simaudio 820S, do not forget about its own stock OEM cord. As long as you Cook it, you will be ahead of the game. Its errors are subtractive, shrinking the images, leaving out some of the music's color and verve, and reining in the soundstage. But nothing is out of balance, which is more than we can say about most after-market powercords.
The Cooked stock powercord doesn't interfere with the snap of percussion. It keeps snare drum in focus. Thus, PRAT is excellent.The Simaudio 820S with Cooked stock powercord does even more for the 750D than, for example, a Cooked and cryo'd Pranawire Maha Samadhi M1/F1.
But we must press on, so let us begin checking out some after-market powercords, all of which have been properly burned-in on an audiodharma Cable Cooker.
First up is the Acrolink 6N-P4030 with Oyaide P/C-046 connectors. Although there is greater contrast between music and silence, the overall sound is jiggly. The music doesn't move smoothy, plus the images aren't anchored within their own spaces. Some of the music's stomp is lost. Versus other parts of the bass spectrum, the midbass is too prominent, sticks out from the mix.
With the Tara Labs RSC Decade AC, images have no edge definition. They blur and meld into each other, with little to no space between them. Music isn't incisive, and drums lack pop. Listeners wish for sparkle, transparency, and air. "Blended" sums up the RSC Decade AC.
When you move up to the Pranawire Satori CF, you want to exhale, "Now we're getting somewhere." Music is not as distorted and warped. It retains its command and power. The sound is dark, mid-centered, and chunky. However, due to the Acrolink CF plugs, the treble, though finely filigreed, is rolled-off.
The Pranawire Vajra CF is even cleaner than the Satori CF. The Vajra does not directly address the rolled-off treble. However, by lessening the fat in the mids and bass, overall, the music is better-proportioned.
Ah, by switching to the Pranawire Maha Samadhi with Oyaide M1/F1 plugs, the treble is restored. Nor is the air sucked out. Clearly, the 820S prefers the M1/F1 plugs, for their treble extension and breath. And because the 820S is inherently tight and grippy in the entire bass spectrum, the Maha Samadhi's tendency towards soft midbass is kept in check. Just as the Maha Samadhi M1/F1 complimented the solo 750D, it works well with the 820S.
