"That's an interesting take on the matter from Stuart Hagerman. However, another view seems to have distilled itself through the feedback of hundreds if not thousands of users. For whatever reason, it appears that digital cables exhibit the by far longest break-in period. People tend to suffer through the break-in roller coaster far longer on digital cables than on any other type, sometimes reporting upwards of a month of use. One would think that if the theory of HF fluctuations is spot on, then digital cables in particular would burn in most speedily through their exposure to the highest of frequencies in an audio system. Thus we have an incongruency between Stuart's theory and the feedback we've collected. Our Entropic Process is a production protocol that starts at the very first steps of any build so isn't retrofittable to non-Entropic versions. Whilst even Entropic products still undergo subsequent burn-in effects much like any other product, the process itself builds in accelerated pre-aging to shorten the post-purchase break-in Blues." Whether applying Stuart's method atop Louis' would reap add-on benefits remains for the curious to investigate.
Back on terra firmer In Ireland, the 'miles of Romex' argument preceding our AC outlets runs into a mental wall with any power cord beyond a generic freebie. The counter argument is that the power cord plugged into our hifi kit is the first stretch it sees. There's zero debate that the wall delivers all the voltage and current we need. The primary debate is about noise on the AC; then lowering its impedance. The 'better' in better power cords is about superior connectors for lower contact resistance to avoid or minimize micro arcing; about low-impedance geometries; and about effective passive noise attenuation. The above LessLoss link details how Louis and team go about that. Like all audiophile extremists, Louis isn't immune to 'what if' in pursuit of milking the possible to the next degree. Currently the C-MARC Stellar Entropic power cord is the best his approach knows how to do. So it's unapologetically expensive. At 1/5th of today's ask, he also makes the budget-happy Prime power cord. Stellar pushes in the opposite direction. Why make excuses for that? From Asda to Michelin, your local tyre shop offers a range. You pick what suits your needs and budget. Why should performance hifi get cagey when it's Pirelli time? With two 2m specimens of LessLoss' finest, I had my eyes squarely on our 250-watt mono amps.
"Our Entropic Process must be understood as melding what's typically understood by burn-in of finished product to actual production processes. With Entropic we go all the way back to very first production processes and maintain very tight control of the final application of every single individual wire and insulation that will ultimately become the live phase, neutral and ground line of the finished cable. This also goes for the connectors' electrical contacts, both wall plug and equipment IEC. Everything during the Entropic Process relates directly to ultimate performance and even initial performance of the assembled product. Take an analogy with whiskey brewing. Widely known is that years of exposure of whiskey to maturation barrel woods of various sorts result in maturity and complexity of flavour. There are however methods of increasing exposure of the liquid to more wood surface area, namely by introducing wood chips to the mix. One can saturate the whiskey liquid with a far larger influence of wood chips in a far shorter time than would be the case if only the inner surface of the barrel had direct contact with the liquid. In this way one can perhaps speak of accelerated ageing.
Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos on Acoustic Energy Corinium, Gold Note PA-10 Evo monos on sound|kaos subwoofer.
"Other forms of accelerated ageing are common in the realm of sword manufacture and tooling, cryogenic treatment of various sorts, in cycling through extreme temperatures to test various longevity responses of mechanical integrity of rubbers, foods and drugs. In general, cryogenics or even typical freezing have become proven preservation techniques for organic tissues and foods. The idea in all of this is that man plays with the concept of time's arrow and material break-down over time. To classify our Entropic Process as a mere burn-in accelerator would be to lump it in with all manner of existing burn-in devices made popular in the audiophile realm. Running signal through finished product only goes so far. So we developed our protocol with not only time's arrow in mind but also production and assembly. Think of the process as everything you'd expect ultimate maturity of finished product to be even before very first signal is applied. Then of course once signals are added to the mix, one does experience typical burn-in effects on top of even that. To provide a step-by-step primer of all that we do from the very beginning would disclose our entire special sauce but let it be known that going back all the way to initial production of every constituent brings our Entropic Process far beyond anything one could ever achieve through specialty signals running through existing finished product."
The skinniest LessLoss Prime cord runs 96 x 3 strands for 7.069mm² of conductive cross surface. The Classic doubles stranding to 192 x 3, cross section to 14.137mm². Stellar jumps to 288 x 3 strands and 21.206mm². This progression from small to medium to large thus focuses primarily on conductive mass where Stellar equates to three Prime cords braided together. Medusa lives. The usual benefits of greater conductive mass are lower Ω from less resistance; plus higher current conduction. Whenever we discuss LessLoss power cords in particular, a key ingredient are their unusually tight-fitting connectors. If you've questioned why so many costly AC cords wiggle freely in their sockets as though a casual handshake meant low contact resistance, the Lithuanian connectors clamp down like pit bulls. A bit of shove, elbow grease and cussing are mandatory. Et voilà, a worry-free connection on both ends. Tight is right. So is flexible. Whilst the braided LessLoss geometry makes for narrow and wide sides like a fat ribbon which restricts flex along the edges, the flat sides remain very pliable. That's true despite the high conductor mass spread over three discrete legs. Proper cable routing won't require a planning degree.
