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GigaWatt's mechanically damped LC-2 MkII cord consists of 6 x 16-gauge solid-core high-purity electrolytic copper conductors with polyethylene dielectric inside PVC sleeving. The cable combines low resistance/impedance with high capacitance for "splendid filtering and damping across a broad interference spectrum". Static shielding is by laminated aluminum foil connected to a full-length fillet wire. The proprietary low-impedance power plug is made from cryogenically treated demagnetized thickly gold-plated brass with screw contacts for the conductors.


In the hifi power distribution game, the AC cord which connects the power strip (or conditioner) to the wall is most important as it affects everything plugged into the power box. If you can only afford one good cord, put it at this junction!
 
 
While the need for active power conditioners and voltage stabilizers is debatable, power strips are near mandatory. Most systems need more AC plugs than are on the wall in just the right spot. Think outlet multiplier. What you don't want is luke-warm leftovers stretched with water to feed six. You want a full plate for everyone. That's why Adam Szubert bothered with those burly copper distribution buss bars. You could question surge protection if you have something in your circuit breaker box that'll outfox a lightning strike (or you simply don't care).


My Cyprus house was struck once. That literally shook the foundation and my ears were ringing for hours. Thankfully the owner/contractor had installed a massively overrated master breaker which clamped down faster than the current surge could propagate through the house wiring. All three telephones and answering machines were toast however. The phone lines hadn't been protected.


If you don't feel like playing Russian roulette with your costly gear and aren't extreme enough to run it off a massive battery bank, quality surge protection is the ticket. Purists against varistors—is that a bumper sticker?—can of course chance it and run with a completely bare-boned box. Since that's what I've done in Switzerland until now with the Furutech and Walker units, I can report on just what peace of mind might cost you sonically.
 
Why should zero filtration and no protection be purer than filter and clamp-down elements? Critical listeners who've extensively experimented with power conditioners—isolation transformers, balanced power, power regeneration, inductive or capacitive filtering—often return to the wall in the end. For them the direct connection has superior dynamics, speed and vitality/energy. For them potential conditioning advances in noise floor and clarity are offset by damped energy and lowered dynamics. Offset is the operative term. It's give & take. Much depends on your proximity to a power utility step-down transformer; the quality of your dwelling's power distribution wiring and fuses; who shares your power in the building and immediate neighborhood. Blanket advice is impossible. The only true thing is that the direct AC connection to the wall outlet must be the reference. Whatever you insert between it and your gear should either have no audible effects but add protection; improve sonics without protection; or improve and protect. In practice, 'improve' is often partial. Some aspects could worsen, others improve. How you feel about what's sacrificed versus what's gained is your call entirely.
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