C-MARCs' delivery is free from excessive shine, itch, tension, nervousness and metallic tint at no cost of dilution or dullness. It does take off some edge but doesn't prettify the tunes wheras Audiomica's cables apply heavy makeup. C-MARC blends clarity, transparency and backdrop blackness with tone, saturation and roundness such that any bias towards a specific trait is avoided. This evenness and polish are clear signs of more mature performance than the more picturesque reality-altering Audiomica competitors. Further differences stretch to imaging. The more upfront Ness Excellence cables lock vocals between both speakers to oversize them a bit. C-MARC renders the same view deeper, wider and fills it with more subtleties and air. That translates to more precisely outlined articulate images with no detriment to textural fill. A multi-layered, breathing and pitch-black canvas seals the deal. I found the original C-MARC very easygoing, relaxed, refined and meticulously balanced then and three years later my take remains unchanged. I since heard cables that did more but were either far costlier or not as suited to my needs.

Moving on, their entropic sibling profiled the same then offered substantially more. The applied process was designed to increase noise rejection for even higher contrast. Considering what I'd learnt about my system's overall quietness, I looked to more roundness and flesh here and there, perhaps even greater smoothness, a blacker backdrop inhabited by more particles plus even more flow in general. But my guesswork was only partially correct. Although similar to the original, the latest C-MARC isn't just a slightly better version. On several counts it's noticeably different and overall far better at least by my standards. Shifts were easy to map but a big surprise. I first imagined that noticing firm distinctions should take several days enforced by helpful breaks but that wasn't so. A rough notion where the latest LessLoss positions revealed itself within minutes. Such obviousness I didn't expect. The new take on the usual repertoire was quicker, airier and more direct and immediate as though I'd taken an on-ramp onto the hi-res route. The older noticeably heftier more polite version portrayed vocal outlines thicker, rounder and a touch veiled by comparison, didn't reach as low and emphasized more sibilants and rougher edges on mediocre recordings. This meant that the rounder thicker standard C-MARC also was glossier and itchier in the treble, today's more articulate and quick yet perfectly clean.

How my system staged was the biggest difference. Openness, directness and main images served up close and personal are the LampizatOr Pacific's trademark virtues which the sound|kaos Vox 3afw monitors positioned in the nearfield amplify even more. If a recording allows, their conjoined effort effectively puts me inside a sphere surrounded by musicians. At times this sensation becomes quite trippy. The entropic C-MARC located me inside that huge aural illusion even closer to images. That secured still more points for visibility and tangible physicality. Although I found the newcomer a touch leaner, it packed more punch to net a substantially more elastic, sporty and tactile outcome. Vocals were less chunky yet more organic and articulate. Still, potency was the key word. It was very clear which C-MARC pushed my system's performance more and in what ways. Considering how LessLoss' newly processed power cord presented itself against its very accomplished previous version and how much this design progressed over the last three years, its price increase feels fully justified.

Summary. Although the LessLoss product family is as diverse as it is unique, in my book its inhabitants occupy different performance tiers. The Echo's End Original DAC, Bindbreaker decouplers and C-MARC speaker cable sit a bit below the Echo's End Reference DAC, C-MARC power cord and Firewall 64X filters. The Firewall for Loudspeakers above them all impressed me most and now the C-MARC Entropic Process power cord joins it at the top of my potency list. Whenever I get to pick between a review of a DAC vs power cable, the former seems far more appealing. Not today. LessLoss' noise-killing tech represents their most interesting and important work. Various product types with it showcase its benefits. Today's C-MARC Entropic Process power cord again did that yet learning how much better it is over its predecessor was key. Those like me who have used the standard C-MARC cords should ready themselves for quite an unexpected surprise. My tip of the hat to team LessLoss for improving their own game this meaningfully and not charging an arm and leg for such significant progress!