COINCIDENT STATEMENT POWER CABLES
These are the only "audiophile" cables that do not actually transmit the musical signal. Power Cords are easy for anyone to understand since they have only two critical functions, which are self-evident:
1. Maximize the transmission of energy (current) from the AC outlet to the component's power supply. Plus, just as important...
2. Minimize the amount of extraneous and harmful noise (RFI, EMI) that inevitably exists in the power line.
This sounds pretty easy to achieve, but I always felt there was an inherent technical conflict between the #1 and #2 functions. Still, a high quality audio system should be able to reveal if a power cord is competently designed and built. There is also no rational reason for "all-out" power cords that cost thousands of dollars. This is insanity, ego, greed and ignorance epitomized. In fact, cables (of any type) that are designed to look "cool" usually have engineering compromises, so it's the worst of all words; paying more for less performance.
I received three individual Statement power cords; for the CD player, phono stage and line stage; plus two pairs of power cords for the 4 mono power amplifiers I have in my system (I am bi-amping, so there are two mono amplifiers per channel). I conducted 6 (not 5) comparisons in total, because I ended up comparing the line stage power cord twice: Once with the Coincident Statement and once with "The Truth", and I was glad that I did when I heard the results.
I chose the line stage first because it is the heart and common denominator of the system. The comparison's results were inadvertently derived in two stages; first with the Frankenstein/Monitors, playing by themselves, and then full-range, with the Dragon/Subwoofers also being played. There was one other unique and important factor involved with this first comparison; the Statement line stage was already utilizing a CST power cord, but it was only 2 feet in length. The replacement Statement power cord was also 2 foot in length. It was thus only natural to ask whether there could be any audible differences between two quality power cords when both of them were only 2 feet in length? These are the results I observed:
A. Frankensteins/Monitors Only- A very small improvement in favor of the Statement power cord. A slight reduction in the sound-floor, and a touch purer and less homogenized in complex passages. It was similar to the differences heard between an average and good AC day. I most likely would not be able to hear these subtle differences without listening for them. Music: Decca/Bach/Xmas Oratorio plus Alia Vox CD and SACD.
B. System Full-Range- The differences were definitely more noticeable and could be observed this time without prompting. The sound with the Statement power cord was a little larger and more effortless, and it also had more weight and improved bass definition. I only played the subwoofers because I needed a true and recent "Reference" before I conducted Comparison Two (the Dragons). I also didn't want any confusion and/or ambiguity compromising future results. Based on the subtle changes I had earlier heard with the Monitors alone, I expected to hear virtually no change in the lower frequencies, so this positive result was surprising, which is the best and most reliable confirmation that what you are hearing is actually true. Music: RCA/Victory at Sea plus Mobile Fidelity/CSNY/Deja Vu.
I chose the Dragons next, instead of the Frankensteins, to be certain that any differences I heard came from the Dragons alone, and not both amplifiers combined. I wanted to avoid giving the Dragons' new power cords any credit they did not actually earn. So I isolated any Dragon changes as best as I could. The Dragons were already utilizing one four foot CST power cord (left channel) and one six foot "generic" (hardware store) power cord (right channel). A generic cord was used because a CST cable couldn't fit in such a limited space. The Statement replacement power cords were both four feet in length, and the right channel was able to fit with a special L-Shaped IEC plug. These are the results I observed:
I naturally expected any improvements to be strictly limited to the bass frequencies, but I was surprised again, twice actually, pleasantly and unpleasantly. The main differences were in the midrange instead, while the improvements in the bass turned out to be subtle. It actually took some time for me to believe what I was hearing. The sound-floor was lower (more whispers were heard) and there was a greater "sharing of space" with the Statement power cords. There was also less homogenization and the sound was a little more immediate and vivid, like a fog had been removed.
The improvements in the bass were mainly heard during demanding passages, with slightly more control, detail, definition and power. I did not hear the bass go deeper. After Comparison One was completed, I took some time off and played a dozen or so of my more demanding recordings and played them again after the Dragon power cord switch, so the results were as definitive as I could make them. While the subwoofers don't have a steep low-pass filter, it was still a surprise to hear how improved AC filtering (what else could it be?) could make such an improvement even when the drivers were already attenuated 10 dB or more. The effect was similar to hearing your system at 2 am (at its very best), rather than 9 pm. It also must be remembered that a 6 foot generic power cord was replaced this time, which may have been the previous weak link for AC noise.
So while I was hoping for even more improvements in the bass, I received more than I ever could have wished for in the even more important midrange, a trade-off I'll take any day. Overall, I was very happy with the final results, even if they were completely unpredictable and almost counter-intuitive. Music: Mobile Fidelity/Pines of Rome, Argo/Pulcinella, Dune, Emerald Forest, Vangelis/China.
The Frankenstein amplifiers were utilizing a pair of earlier generation Coincident power cords, each 6 foot in length, one CST and one Extreme (the only Extreme power cord I had). They were replaced by a pair of six foot Statement power cords. These are the results I observed:
I almost immediately sensed that the sound-floor was lower. The sound was also more immediate and vivid, with longer decays. The Frankensteins were now less homogenized and had more reserve during demanding passages. In all, the sound was more dynamic, secure and had greater integrity. It even sounded a little louder. Especially noticeable was the improvement in the reproduction of drums. I was able to hear multiple bass drums separated as never before, on any system (though this achievement was accomplished by more than just this power cord change).
These sonic improvements were more noticeable than with the earlier Dragon power cord change (Comparison Two), which was not a surprise. Unfortunately, the improvements were not heard on all the records I played, but mainly those with difficult sections and/or a purity and transparency that went beyond just "good". The one surprise for me, which I still don't understand, was that a disproportionate number of Digital recordings were improved with this cable change. I can only guess that many Digital records have greater system requirements, such as the best possible AC, to really demonstrate their potential. Overall, the Frankenstein power cord upgrade was the most satisfying for me so far. Music: Nonesuch/Medieval Xmas Music, Hwong/House of Sleeping Beauties, EMI/Music of Mexico.
The APL was utilizing a six foot generic power cord, which was replaced by a six foot Statement power cord. Because the APL sends out a dangerous pulse whenever it is turned off (by choice or not), it is plugged into a UPS device (battery) instead of directly into the wall (to avoid catastrophic damage to the system). These are the results I observed:
I heard a change immediately, literally. I even had to turn down the volume a few seconds after the switch. Further: The sound-floor was obviously lower with naturally blacker backgrounds, plus there was more space and longer decays. The sound was also more immediate and vivid. When I played the APL with the monitors alone, I heard more natural body than ever before, with both voices (throat and chest) and instruments (drums). With certain music, it was even hard to believe at times that the subwoofers were actually turned off.
In short, the improvements I heard with the APL/Statement power cord switch were definitely the largest and most consequential of the six comparisons that I made (and that includes the Frankensteins, Comparison Three). In fact, I now believe the APL can not be fully optimized, and appreciated, without using a quality power cord like the Statement, which is something I couldn't have known until now (though I long suspected it). Music: Mark Isham/Blue Sun, Erato/Nueva Espana.
The Jadis was utilizing a four foot CST power cord, which was replaced by a four foot Statement power cord. These are the results I observed:
The LP noise was a touch lower and the volume a touch louder. The sound had more control and held together a little better during demanding passages. There was a touch less homogenization and little more body in the voices. The sound-floor was also a bit lower and a FFF climax was a bit louder. There was also a little more detail and intelligibility. These improvements were observed only with better records. Overall, despite all of the variety mentioned, this was the least noticeable improvement of the six comparisons I made, so I was somewhat disappointed in the end. The reason why?...
I believe it is because the Jadis is using a minimal amount of energy. The entire line stage, along with the cathode follower in the phono stage, are no longer active. Further, it has an unusual switching-type power supply, which doesn't depend as much on AC purity as a conventional power supply.
Music: See the LPs mentioned above.
"The Truth" came with a 6 foot generic power cable. I first replaced it with a 2 foot CST power cord and eventually with a 2 foot Statement power cord (the same one used earlier with the Coincident Line Stage, Comparison One). The results I observed are the accumulation of both cables:
The sound-floor was lower, and the sound also became quieter, cleaner, more dynamic and more immediate. I would estimate that 75% of these improvements came from the initial CST switch, while the remaining 25% of the improvements came with the switch from the CST to the Statement. In the end, these two power cord switches were highly successful, and just behind the Coincident Frankensteins (and the APL of course) in overall satisfaction. Music: See all the music mentioned above.
The most important and noticeable changes were with the APL, then the Frankensteins and then "The Truth". It must be emphasized that both the APL and "The Truth" had 6 foot generic power cords to begin with. The least noticeable change was with the Jadis, which has an unique switching power supply, plus it only amplifies very low-level signals and it has had most of its circuit removed and is now unused. (It also had a CST power cord to begin with.)
The improvements I noticed, in all the comparisons, were pretty consistent in their type, though not in their degree. In all cases, it was mainly the two volume level extremes that were most effected by the Statement power cords; the softest and loudest. The loudest volume levels were improved with the Statement power cords by providing a sort of "reserve" during the most demanding passages. I believe the Statement's high current delivery was responsible for this change. Simultaneously, the Statement power cords consistently provided a lower sound-floor as well, which was mainly noticeable during quieter passages. I believe the Statement's AC noise attenuation was responsible for this change.
So these power cord improvements will be most noticeable and welcome for those audiophiles with highly revealing systems, who also listen to a large variety of music and especially with their more challenging recordings. In effect then, there is a double sonic benefit, which matches what a high quality power cord is supposed to do in the first place.
The Bottom Line- All wide-range audio systems require high quality power cords, and this is especially true for those systems which are also designed for a low sound-floor, and subsequently still sound real and natural at very low volume levels (such as mine). If the goal is to optimize the performance of each and every component, and the audio system as a whole, then quality power cords are indispensable. Just make certain that their design and build quality emphasize both high current delivery and AC noise rejection, which the Statement power cord obviously does so admirably.
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