Dynamic Filtering Power Cable.

Battling Jitter to the extreme, we have found it beneficial to filter the mains power externally to the DAC 2004. After two years of experimentation with many outboard power filtering methods, it was evident that extreme amounts of capacitance are required. Combinations using transformers and much capacitance yielded better results. The transformers needed so much headroom in terms of power handling that the project was quickly overtaking grand proportions, bordering on impractical implementation with several expensive transformers larger than the DAC 2004 itself.

In the end we admit that the filtering reduces the true musical dynamics, even though very successful filtering of unwanted radio frequencies is achieved. Developing the last link, the mains cable itself, we found that it is possible to achieve even better audio by doing the filtering in the cable itself. Transformers (hysteresis and voltage losses) and capacitors (resistive losses) are not as effective. There are only three wires involved: power positive, power negative, and ground. Our solution uses a true ground connection for the best possible audio -- and filters it!

Filtering Power :: Inductance using transformers.

Inductors exhibit significant dissipative effects, due to the long lengths of wire used to make them, and due to the magnetic losses of the core material. They also tend to generate "coupling" effects with interference from ambient electric or magnetic fields. It is impossible to create the ultimate transformer-based power filter, since the filtering of EM interference is intricately tied to the inductance of any surrounding EM field, the strongest of which is actually the one made by the transformer itself. To alleviate this, mumetal is used to block the magnetic field surrounding the transformer. Even in this "perfect" scenario, there are intrinsic losses due to hysteresis. It is typical to see a 10 Volt voltage drop accross a 1:1 transformer, and speed through a transformer, well, you can forget it.

Filtering Power :: Capacitance using capacitors.

Ideally, a capacitor should be a purely reactive component, containing absolutely no power dissipative effects. True, capacitors are generally purer reactive components than inductors. They tend to dissipate less power than an equivalent inductor. And, they are less prone to transmitting or receiving EM interference than inductors, because their electric fields are almost completely contained between their plates. The source of capacitor loss is usually the dielectric material used. Dielectric materials tend to react to changing electric fields by producing heat. This heating effect represents a loss in power, and is equivalent to resistance in the circuit. This effect is undesirable for capacitors where we expect the component to behave as a purely reactive circuit element. Electrolytic capacitors are, for example, notorious for their lossiness, due to both the characteristics of the microscopically thin dielectric film and the electrolyte paste used. Other materials are used to try to alleviate this lossiness in more expensive capacitors, such as paper and oil.

High frequency bands are unpredictably destructive.

The LessLoss power cable is a very unique solution to power filtering. It filters the EM bandwidths which are most destructive to high quality playback. Lower harmonics in the mains are not as detrimental to electronic audio purity as the higher harmonics. Input transformers and standard filtering schematics work very well to alleviate the effects of lower frequency interference, but are hopelessly incapable of dealing with high frequency interference. Therefore, this trash should not enter the audio devices at all. At extremely high frequencies, even the enclosures themselves act as resonators and unpredictable reflections and resonations occur within the gear, very similar to the concept of exciting room modes in the physical science of acoustics.

We want to avoid any and all bottlenecking of the power itself while at the same time cutting off all the unwanted high frequency trash before it even enters the destination gear. The elegant solution LessLoss offers is based on a few known properties of electromagnetic signal propagation -- skin effect and resistance.

Filtering Power :: LessLoss filtering power cable solution.

The cable is to have almost no resistance for the power to be available in lightning speed. Many power cable manufacturers mention the speed of their cable as a procentage of light speed. They are on the right track -- the faster the better. Any slowing of this parameter is an indication of loss incurred. But we do not want to aid in speeding the propogation of the high frequency fields. We want to inhibit their flow completely.

This is where the skin effect comes in handy. We utilize very much metal for our conductors. They are highly conductive and provide our cable with low resistance. The resistivity of the cable is very low with a cross sectional area of metal of 4.72 mm^2 per conductor, of which there are three in each cable. The carrying power signal is 50 Hz or 60 Hz. As this frequency is low, the very large diameter of the wire represents no loss, since such a low frequency is not affected by any skin effect current concentration. However, the higher frequencies which we want to filter remain at the skin. And it is precisely here where it is possible for us to filter only the electromagnetic fluctuations which are at the very skin of the cable while leaving the 50 or 60 Hz carrying signal completely alone. Indeed, the filtering of such a low frequency is not even taking place, as a layer of porous conductive material is mated to the skin of the cable, enlarging the effective cross sectional area of one entire conductor assembly to a whopping 6 mm^2, bringing the entire cross-sectional area of this cable to 18 mm^2.

Connecing Power :: Oyaide power plugs from Japan.

Of an assortment of 18 different types of power plugs from all over the world, we carefully considered the aspects of the design which yield the highly audible sound differences between them. Several models of Wattgate, Furutech, Oyaide, and other lesser known competitors were all compared against each other in the same cable design. The winner by a longshot was the dark ruby colored Oyaide model 079 (double polished and double gold-plated). This goes for both the wall socket end of the power cord as for the IEC power connector end.

Oyaide Power Plugs :: Truly dedicated to achieve Audiophile results

The contact pins are made out of deoxidized phosphorous bronze and machined out of a single piece for the best possible conductivity.

Oyaide Power Plugs :: Truly dedicated to achieve Audiophile results

No nickel plating is used between the bronze and the gold. Instead, the surface is highly polished by hand -- twice. There are two layers of gold and two polishing processes involved to yield the mirror-like finish that only a dedicated company such as Oyaide achieves. The rhodium plating of the lesser models, due to its being less conductive, sounds a bit harsh on the finest quality material. Switching to the gold gives the true warmth back to the sound, without a trace of false muddiness.

Oyaide Power Plugs :: Truly dedicated to achieve Audiophile results

The body of the connectors are made of high density PBT with 30% glass particle filler mixed in for a resulting high resonance absorbtion factor while maintaining good rigidity and stability when used in warm climates with warm gear.

Oyaide Power Plugs :: Truly dedicated to achieve Audiophile results

Regarding the IEC connectors, it is the pressure of the contact surface area which defines much of the quality. This was found through our own experimentation to be as audible in the ground connection(!) as it is in the two power connections. Oyaide does not compromise on metal costs. The very generous thickness of metal used results in a spring action of the IEC plugs which is so strong that even hundreds of connections in and out do not compromise their grip. And they are polished to a perfection which the dedicated audiophile will appreciate.

Oyaide Power Plugs :: Truly dedicated to achieve Audiophile results

No comment necessary here. Nobody would do this if it weren't audible. For more detailled information please see the manufacturer's website:

• www.Oyaide.com

• Length: 2 meters
• Cross sectional conductive area is 6 mm^2 per conductor
• Total cross sectional conductive area is 18 mm^2
• Oyaide model 079 double polished double gold plated power plugs
• Introductory Price: 400 Euros per cable. (includes shipping) The price shall be 530 Euros as of February 04, 2008.

From Bound For Sound May 2007 Issue #177:

"nothing short of groundbreaking in its performance"

"I was knocked out"

"Within the first few moments of the initial audition it was clear that this cord was indeed something special. The determination of different, and than "better or worse" had proven to be easy and almost immediate."

"The pure and fundamental improvements heard upon insertion of the LessLoss were very real and perhaps worthy of the proclamation of "the best ever." And it was very exciting."

"The elation of hearing a power cord make the kind of positive improvements heard"

"Oh, Man! The clarity and precision was unheard of. And without a single negative. Dynamic expression had been unleashed. The Big Rig had become something better, more musically truthful than any system I had ever heard...anywhere...anytime."

"They are superbly constructed with a three wire braid and beautifully polished terminals. Superbly high class in every way. My feeling right now is that the LessLoss is the best power cord made regardless of price. And I don't know anyone who has auditioned and tested more power cords than I have."


-- Martin G. DeWulf

From Bound for Sound November 2007, Issue #182:

"I challenge the honest hearted audiophile not to hear a difference once one [LessLoss Dynamic Filtering Power Cable] is placed in his or her system. Even modest systems benefit from this most extraordinary power cord in ways that are undeniable and imminently audible by even the most tin eared amongst us."

"The LessLoss power cord somehow strips the music of layers and layers of artificiality and electrical artifact leaving behind the music while revealing the quality of the componentry itself. In some cases it’s like seeing the wood grain for the first time. This cord works well in all applications."

-- Martin G. DeWulf

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