Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between your power cords?
Our Cross-Helix is a high-value and versatile power cord. It is a good match for digital or analog as well as tube and solid state components. Because it is made from 8AWG stranded wire it is both flexible and suitable for high current components and power distribution centers.
Our XPC ribbon is a high-performance power cord with incredible detail, dynamics, and transparency. It is optimal for high current draw componets such as amplifiers and power distribution centers. Most tube gear sounds best with the XPC. Though quite flexible in one direction, it is not fexible in the other direction and requires twisting for mutli-directional bends.
Our Enigma power cords have incredible articulation and emotional content. They portray tones and timbres unlike any other cord. Optimal for low-current source components and class D amplifiers. Many prefer the Enigma to the XPC on ultra high-end amplification with sophisticated power supplies. Flexible in all directions.
What is the difference between your plugs and connectors?
Higher quality plugs sound cleaner and more transparent with more micro-detail and better micro-dynamics.
Our cryogenically treated solid copper plug sets are an exceptional value. Their only drawback is that pure copper requires more frequent cleaning with a product like Caig Gold contact enhancer to prevent oxidation.
Even the lowest priced Furutech rhodium plated copper plugs sound more detailed, dynamic, and transparent than our copper plugs. Their only drawback is they take about twice as long to break in before they sound as warm and liquid.
The metallurgy and Alpha treatment is identical with all the Furutech rhodium plated copper plugs. The only difference is the quality of the plug's casing. The better casings are less prone to mechanical resonances and electrical noise.
Upgrading from our copper to the entry level Furutech plugs is more significant than upgrading from the entry level to the better quality Furutech plugs.
What is the best length and wire gauge for a power cord?
Shorter is always better - even the best cords and cables degrade in performace as they increase in length.
Larger wire gauges sound more effortless and relaxed as well as more detail and dynamic. The greater the current draw of a specific component, the more noticable the improvement larger gauge power cords will make.
Amplifiers and power distribution centers benefit most from larger wire gauge where as plug quality is more significant on low current source components.
What upgrade will improve my system the most?
The source is always the most important part of any system. If the music doesn't come out of the source it can not come out of the speakers. This would mean that upgrading your source will usually give you the most sonic improvement.
After the source itself, the cords powering your source and cables connecting your source to the rest of your system would provide the most sonic benefit. Signal is usually more important that power so upgrading interconnects will often give more sonic benefits than upgrading power cords.
After upgrading the cords and cables on your source, it is system dependant as to whether the next most significant upgrade would be the power cord on your power distribution center or the next component in your audio chain.
Of course all of this is dependent on the quality of the existing cords, cables, and components in your audio system.
What is the best way to break in and how long does it take?
Full range dynamic music played at full volume will break in cords, cables, and component faster. Cookers, frequency generators, dummy loads, appliances, and other "out of system" break in methods can only take the place of the first few days of "in system" break in. Break in only occurs when all components are connected and selected in the audio chain.
Most cords, cables, and components do not sound good for the first 24 hours. Most sound fairly good after 100 hours. Improvements are less noticable after 300 hours. Cryogenically treated plugs and connectors (all Furutech products) take over 500 hours before they show their potential.
When cords and cables are bent or components are moved it usually takes 48-72 hours of play before they regain their former level of performance.
Is there any periodic maintenace that is required?
All cords, cables, and components are all subject to atmospheric influences. Things like dust, dirt, smoke, and contaminates from cooking, climate control systems, and organic sources deposite particales and films on contact surfaces. Even though some metals oxidize slowly, all metal contacts degrade in conductivity over time and require cleaning.
Periodically disassemble and unplug your system from AC power. Clean all external surfaces with a residue free cleaner such as high purity alcohol. Use clean "canned air" to blow out connectors and ventilation holes. Use a contact cleaner and enhancer such as Caig Gold to clean and protect all plugs and connectors.
Taking these steps will both extend aethetic life and optimize performance.
