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Post by ac2011 on Dec 20, 2016 7:26:03 GMT -5
I took delivery of a new Bas-X A500 a couple of weeks ago (from Canadian distributor), and finally last night had the opportunity to unbox it and get the unit into my cabinet/rack. 3 things I immediately noted about this unit:
1) The power on/standby glowing button on the front is much smaller than the same button on my XPA-100's (silly little detail)
2) The binding posts look much "cheaper" than the posts on my XPA-100's (cheapy looking red and black plastic)
3) The power cable shipped with the unit is far less "beefy" than the power cord of the XPA-100's
The third item is the focus of my question. The cord with the A500 feels kind of thin and (for lack of a better term) cheap, as compared to the XPA-100's, and it is only 2-prong. Now, I am sure that Big Dan and crew know what they are doing and that the cord with the unit satisfies the basic power draw requirements. But, I'm curious if others who have taken delivery of a Bas-X unit have considered, or actually gone ahead with, upgrading the power cord to an X-series cord.
Or is my thinking just snake oil?
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Post by vneal on Dec 20, 2016 8:57:54 GMT -5
Try one and see if there is a difference. I would say probably not
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Post by rbk123 on Dec 20, 2016 10:05:37 GMT -5
Agree. Inexpensive thing to try, so no/little harm, but like vneal, I give it very low odds.
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 20, 2016 10:14:20 GMT -5
I took delivery of a new Bas-X A500 a couple of weeks ago (from Canadian distributor), and finally last night had the opportunity to unbox it and get the unit into my cabinet/rack. 3 things I immediately noted about this unit: 1) The power on/standby glowing button on the front is much smaller than the same button on my XPA-100's (silly little detail) 2) The binding posts look much "cheaper" than the posts on my XPA-100's (cheapy looking red and black plastic) 3) The power cable shipped with the unit is far less "beefy" than the power cord of the XPA-100's The third item is the focus of my question. The cord with the A500 feels kind of thin and (for lack of a better term) cheap, as compared to the XPA-100's, and it is only 2-prong. Now, I am sure that Big Dan and crew know what they are doing and that the cord with the unit satisfies the basic power draw requirements. But, I'm curious if others who have taken delivery of a Bas-X unit have considered, or actually gone ahead with, upgrading the power cord to an X-series cord. Or is my thinking just snake oil? You are thinking snake oil but if you do upgrade your power cord and believe it will make a difference, then you probably will hear a difference.  If you want beefier cords (which I like myself - 14 AWG just seems more sturdy) then order from Monoprice if they ship to Canada. For example, a 6 ft 14 AWG power cord from them is $3.33. Upgrading the cord isn't going to make any difference in sound unless it is defective. |
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Post by ac2011 on Dec 20, 2016 10:31:23 GMT -5
If you want beefier cords (which I like myself - 14 AWG just seems more sturdy) then order from Monoprice if they ship to Canada. For example, a 6 ft 14 AWG power cord from them is $3.33. Upgrading the cord isn't going to make any difference in sound unless it is defective. Monoprice does ship to Canada, but generally quite expensive. There are a couple of sources here in Canada that sell Monoprice products, though, through which I might be able to get one. Ultimately, probably no difference, I guess, but compared to the cords on my XPA-100's (and an XPA-3 prior to that), this cord just seems rather wimpy. |
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 20, 2016 10:44:01 GMT -5
Monoprice does ship to Canada, but generally quite expensive. There are a couple of sources here in Canada that sell Monoprice products, though, through which I might be able to get one. Ultimately, probably no difference, I guess, but compared to the cords on my XPA-100's (and an XPA-3 prior to that), this cord just seems rather wimpy. Well I know what you mean, I don't like "wimpy" power cords either, which is why I use the Monoprice but it is all about the beef, not the sound. That said, my ST-120 tube amp just has a regular 2 prong cord soldered in place which works just fine, even though it bothers me every time I look at it.  |
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Post by creimes on Dec 20, 2016 10:59:46 GMT -5
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Post by niuguy on Dec 20, 2016 11:49:13 GMT -5
Just give yourself the excuse that you need a better looking or better length power cord. My non-expert internet opinion self says power cable upgrades are all a bunch of snake oil, but I do think there are other reasons to improve the cables in a system.....mostly for appearance.
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Post by LuisV on Dec 20, 2016 12:00:34 GMT -5
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Post by LuisV on Dec 20, 2016 12:09:35 GMT -5
Just found pictures of the power cables I made for my system.   |
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Post by Casey Leedom on Dec 20, 2016 12:34:01 GMT -5
Honestly, probably the biggest benefit you can probably realize will be improved cable management if you buy cables exactly the length you need. The back of your "rack" will look a heck of a lot better and there'll be a lot less cable/power cords/etc. getting in the way when you need to change things.
And sure, you can get power cables that look nice too if you like. No harm (or benefit electrically) in that. And if it makes you happy when you look at it, that's certainly a win.
Casey
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Post by vcautokid on Dec 20, 2016 12:37:34 GMT -5
Hmmm. I felt like I have been here before. While sure you can upgrade your power cable. While you're at it, that 2 cents a foot Romex needs some love behind the wall. Do what makes you feel good. Allot of times science will be counter to that. As always, your mileage may vary.
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Post by rbk123 on Dec 20, 2016 13:04:55 GMT -5
Definitely value priced. Make sure to upgrade your XPA-100's, TV's, coffee maker, and blender with these bargains as well.... |
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 20, 2016 14:21:50 GMT -5
A fun test, use the BasX A500 cable on one of your XPA-100's and leave the other XPA-100 with its original cable. Select mono and see if you can hear a difference between the channels.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by ludi on Dec 20, 2016 14:23:51 GMT -5
Nice cables at www.thecableco.com/Catalog/Power-Cables, my favorite cable is the 'Tara Labs's The Grand Master Evolution':  I need three or four of them, just $16.000 each, (snake oil not included) |
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Post by goozoo on Dec 20, 2016 18:07:09 GMT -5
By themselves, power cords will not make a difference in sound quality. Having a 14GA cord is better and does provide for better insulation. When combined with a high quality power conditioner, then you should get a smoother sound, albeit may not be worth it for the cost (e.g $3500). I upgraded my power cords to 12GA from Home Depot for many years before I switched over to a power conditioner combination. As for the Bas-X line, it is their least expensive entry level unit so you can't expect much in the parts dept.
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Post by frenchyfranky on Dec 30, 2016 18:11:42 GMT -5
Absolutely useless as far as the wire gauge is sufficient and the isolation is good.
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2016 7:53:43 GMT -5
By themselves, power cords will not make a difference in sound quality. Having a 14GA cord is better and does provide for better insulation. When combined with a high quality power conditioner, then you should get a smoother sound, albeit may not be worth it for the cost (e.g $3500). I upgraded my power cords to 12GA from Home Depot for many years before I switched over to a power conditioner combination. As for the Bas-X line, it is their least expensive entry level unit so you can't expect much in the parts dept. Bingo! |
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Post by mgbpuff on Dec 31, 2016 8:09:00 GMT -5
You want a better power cord? Replace it! There may be valid reasons for replacing one - need longer length, need better flexibility, don't like the color, whatever. But just don't question the engineering or design, it's adequate. Anything above, for any reason is superfluous. Emo has said time and time again that additional power conditioning is not necessary and may be detrimental to the performance of the amplifier.
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Post by boomzilla on Dec 31, 2016 8:40:48 GMT -5
By themselves, power cords will not make a difference in sound quality. Having a 14GA cord is better and does provide for better insulation. When combined with a high quality power conditioner, then you should get a smoother sound, albeit may not be worth it for the cost (e.g $3500). I upgraded my power cords to 12GA from Home Depot for many years before I switched over to a power conditioner combination. As for the Bas-X line, it is their least expensive entry level unit so you can't expect much in the parts dept. Bingo! But don't think that because this is an economy unit, it sounds that way - it doesn't. |
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