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Again we used a generic, a Crystal Cable and the Nanotec. As expected the influence of a power cord on a class A tube amplifier was less than it had been with a CD transport. Here the difference grew when we targeted the phonostage. Now the traits of the cord translated into the sound. We noticed before that every material has a certain fingerprint which lingers over the final sound. The generic cable transmitted a hard plastic notion like the old CD jewel cases. In the Crystal Cable the shininess of silver put the music in a spotlight. The Nanotec more bathed the music in a floodlight.
In a third setup we stayed analog for the source but commissioned the Ncore 1200-based monos for final amplification whilst a Trafomatic Reference One preamp followed the matching phonostage of the Serbian make. Just as with the phonostage the preamplifier was quite susceptible to the influence of the power cord. Here we found the biggest difference of the non-generic cables in their respective focus. The very thin highly shielded Crystal Cable focused on details, the Nanotec on coherence. It's merely a matter of preference whether you like a group of individuals or individuals that perform as a group. The latter was our choice and so we loved the Nanotec.
Nanotec has apparently done it again. They've moved up another rung on the quality ladder whilst sticking with their proven ideology of providing affordable quality through sheer ingenuity. At the moment the Power Strada #306 is only available off the spool but finishing the cable is a straightforward affair. When high-quality mesh and connectors are used, the outcome is remarkable and very competitive on price.
Condition of component received: Excellent. Reusability of packing: Many times over. Website comments: The full catalog is online in English. Completeness of delivery: Perfect. Pricing: Absolutely realistic. Human interactions: Lightning fast and pleasant. Final remarks: The clever use of technology and ready-to -use parts makes it possible to offer a very high-quality power cord at a fair price. It is unsure at the moment of writing whether a terminated version will become available like earlier ‘Premier’ catalog items.
