The Sound
Contents
It’s always impressive to notice how a power cable affects playback. And yet the impact is obvious. In some cases, the impact is even greater than a speaker- or signal-cable. This is one of the reasons we do so much research concerning the influence of cables and power; we are eager to know why it is so audible.
Relaxed
We normally play with the Yeti power cable with solid core conductors. This gives an energetic playback with lots of kick and energy in the bass. This fits well on the Pass Labs. (We think). Most “stranded” cables, while having a bit more calmness in the mids and highs, lack the kick on the Pass power-amp.
The Plixir Supreme somehow still manages to retain the energy in the bass – for the most part – and combines that with a round and pleasant mid and high area. It is a pleasant balance that we did not initially expect!
What is very nice about the Plixir is that – compared to the Yeti – a – kind of – rough edge in the mids is gone. (So we are playing with a Solid Core version of the Yeti…. the new ones are stranded). That edge was quite audible on Manchester Orchestra’s The Silence. There should be a edge / roughness on his voice, but on the Yeti it really stood out. On the Plixir, it didn’t. The balance was more pleasing.
Around
Otherwise, we can describe the reproduction as round and rich. Is it colored? We wouldn’t say so directly. We do not think that the cable is warm sounding. Without question, we hear an open mid and treble. The mids connect well and the bass feels balanced with the rest of the spectrum. We still do not hear the energetic kick of a solid core, but well: perhaps that is a utopia. And it is “close enough”!
Imaging
The imaging of the Plixir Supreme is quite different from the Yeti. The image is wider and feels larger. The Yeti focuses more centered and plays a little less wide. It does seem to focus a bit tighter than the Plixir. (And yes: we’re talking about a power cord…. and no: we are not crazy…This is really what happens).
Which is better or fairer is very hard to say. It’s largely match and taste
