From Daniel's bio we learn that he "graduated from the École Polytechnique in applied electronics in 1984. He then pursued his studies at UCLA with Bernard Widrow in advanced digital signal processing. He developed various communication protocols early in his career as an engineer and as director of modem technology for Muxlab Inc. He became an expert in signal processing and data communications technologies and some of his theoretical work is now textbook material of telecom graduate programs. Four years after graduation, he co-founded Trisignal Communications where he was CTO. His electrical engineering background and thirst for technology led him to develop products that have been adopted by major corporations worldwide. He continued his hands-on management approach with Eicon Networks in 1999 after its acquisition of Trisignal where he was director of technology with responsibility for product development of laboratories located throughout Europe and the Americas.


"Since 2002 he has been a consultant for various companies and has implemented business plans in the security, consumer electronics, telecommunications, biometrics and home audio-video sectors. In 2008 and 2009 he worked with Sensio as director of product development helping to bring 3D technologies to market. From 2011-2013 he held the position of VP products and convergence at Urbanimmersive Inc. In 2014 he founded DR Acoustics. He has also managed a private equity portfolio since 2000."


With such a CV, Robidoux seemed more predestined for D/A converters than wires. As to cable geometry for the power cord under review, it's a paralleled multi-strand affair whose triple shields are tinned copper of varying diameters. Daniel believes in conductor mass, hence his beefiest Pegasus cord aggregates a colossal 1 gauge of silver-infused copper. For dielectrics he goes with PVC or polypropylene; and Teflon for certain signal cables. The Red Fire Ultra gets PVC and the alumide centre barrel around the sleeve (a composite of plastic and aluminium) is said to suppress mechanical standing waves "across the first three harmonics".


For review I'd get two 1.8 metres lengths, one terminated with a UK power plug to connect the conditioner of either source stack or amp to the wall; and one US plug to evaluate the cord between conditioner and component since our Vibex filters run US plugs. I was ready to go on a campaign of not power to the people but power to my hifi. Would it transform into the Hulk?


Snappy delivery dispatched two surprisingly slinky fat boys whose yogic flex didn't extend to axial twists. Surprising too was the toblerone-shaped 'damper'. To suppress the most troublesome first standing wave, it would need to clamp to the cable's exact midpoint. This one slid wherever it wanted and seemed of insufficient mass as a damper. I'd hand benefit claims for more than model, series and company identification to my imaginary friends. How many of those do you have? (In hifi, one can use a few.)


The impressive looking Furutech UK plug proved sadly loose in situ. Perhaps our Irish wall sockets don't conform to the Imperial standard down to the persnickety millimetre? To avoid slippage, I'd want strategic positioning of cord to rack to keep the wall connector put. That wasn't Daniel's fault. Still, it impacted first impressions. Yes the alu case was swell but it, like all packaging, would end up in the garage with the bloodsucking mosquitoes and gnarly horseflies. Meanwhile the US and IEC plugs with their silver-gleam carbon sleeves did look awfully posh and left no wiggle room for complaints. None. 2:1 for Furutech.