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Introduction Acrolink's new Mexcel range of power cords landed in Singapore last month. Is it time to break the piggy bank ? Readers may want to take a moment to read my previous review of the Mexcel 9500 and 7500 power cords here .  For the unfamiliar, the Mexcel series is the flagship range of cables for Acrolink. Mexcel cables are particularly popular in Asia where they enjoy considerable popularity amongst audiophiles that demand the highest levels of performance.  Description The Mexcel power cord range was originally m ade up of three models, the PC6100, 7100 and 9100. The second generation introduced a fourth member, the PC5100 as an entry level model. At the moment, only the two power cords on review here have been released in the fourth generation lineup of Mexcel power cables. Mexcel power cords have a mind of their own. They do not take kindly to manipulation or threatening instructions. Their girth and stiffness are not the worst in class, but a little bit of effor...

Introduction Here is a special edition of the ever popular Acrolink 7N-4030 power cable. This has been one of my favourite cables over the years. You may want to have a look at my earlier posts on the 6N-4030 and the 7N-4030II . Description The Anniversario is available both in factory terminated version (the Anniversario CB) and off-the-reel. A smaller gauge version is also available in the form of the 7N-PC4020 Anniversario. The Anniversario continues to use 7N DUCC copper conductors. However,  this model uses larger diameter copper strands but with less strand count compared to the it's predecessor ( 50 strands of 0.37 mm diameter copper  vs. 100 strands of 0.26 mm diameter). The outer copper foil shield gets a drain wire which permits you to ground the shield if desired.  The black jacket of the 7N-4030II had a rubbery feel to it, and the very fragile wording reminded me of some of my NOS vacuum tubes - a touch and that was the end of the print ! I much prefer the ne...

I was at the local dealer's showroom looking at a new shipment of power cords from Acrolink of Japan. The dealer had a large smile on his face as his enthused over the virtues of the new Mexcel range. I cautiously asked about the pricing, and the dealer nonchalantly rattled of some mind boggling numbers. Either audiophiles have become very rich over the years, or the dealer had serious mis-estimates about the state of affairs of my bank account. He invited me to listen to the 7N-PC7500 which was currently being run-in, and had on hand the much older model, the 7N-PC 7100. He disconnected the 7500 and hooked up the 7100 for a quick listen - smart move. Mentally, I was hoping that both cables would sound the same. I already had the PC7100 at home, and spending even more money was not at the top of my wish list. I listened to a few familiar tracks through the wonderful setup for the day, the beautiful Vivid Giya G3s powered by amplification from Technical Brain, and fronted by a digit...

A short round up of some popular (and well, not so popular) AC Power Cables available off the reel for DIY projects. 1. Acoustic Revive Powermax 5000 This is a nice purple cable and is reasonably easy to handle in terms of flexibility, stripping the insulation, etc. Otherwise identical to the Power Max Standard offered by Acoustic Revive, the Powermax 5000 lacks the carbon infused mesh used in the retail offering. Wire gauge is 3.5 square mm per conductor, and the sheath is infused with tourmaline. This is a very smooth and inoffensive cable. It has a laidback and very refined sound that makes it perfect for countering digital and/or solid state glare. The level of detail is quite good but this cable lacks dynamic snap and drive. 2. Acrolink 7N-4030 A personal favourite of mine, the 7N version of the 4030 is far superior to its 6N predecessor. Apart from tighter bass and better dynamics, the 7N version has superior high frequency extension and control. High frequency extension and air ...

Introduction The Acrolink 7N-S1000III and 7N S-1400III are part of Acrolink's new line up of cables for 2011, and also an introduction of 7N purity copper into their lower range of cabling. Utilising similar geometry to their predecessors, the S-1000 / S-1400 have two widely spaced conductors in a flat shaped dielectric. Looking at the design, this will most likely result in fairly high inductance but very low capacitance. The main difference between the S-1000 and S-1400 is conductor gauge, the S-1400 having more than double the number of strands of copper in each conductor leg. S-1000III - Picture from official website S-1400III - Picture from official website Sound Quality Acrolink users are unlikely to encounter any surprises here. Great midrange, with excellent high frequency extension and control, with emphasis on the "air" around instruments and the sense of acoustic space. The S-1000III subjectively sounds faster than the S-1400III. The latter has a harmonically r...

Quick Comparison Table Model               Price     Gauge        Conductors       Shielding        EMI absorbing cord 7N-P4020III    $90/m    Medium     0.26mm x 37    Copper tape  Yes 6N-P4030        $160/m  Large        0.26mm x 100   None            Yes 7N-P4030II     $200/m   Large       0.26mm x 100   Copper tape  Yes For purposes of a fair comparison, all cords mentioned were terminated with Oyaide P-004/C-004 connectors, which are the matching plugs for the Oyaide R-1 AC outlet used. 7N-P4020I...

The Acrolink 6N S-1400II sits about mid-way up in Acrolink's 6N speaker cable range and is a large gauge version of the S-1000II. Full specifications of the S-1400II can be found at   http://www.acrolink.jp/english/products/6n_s1400_2.html (Picture from Acrolink web-site) The S-1400II is a heavy but flexible cable and termination into your plug of choice is not difficult. There isn't much buzz about Acrolink speaker cables compared to their power cords (the 4030 being the most prominent of their line-up) and interconnects to a lesser degree. If you have a look at my previous forays into the Acrolink family, I have come to a personal conclusion that Acrolink has a house sound - a delicate midrange and a high frequency extension and air that is not sonically neutral but artistically beautiful. The S-1400II has the same delicate and refined midrange but a harmonically rich and heavy mid-bass and bass. In a complete Acrolink set-up, the combination works very well to add weight to ...

The Acrolink 2070II is the junior member of the 7N interconnect range of Acrolink of Japan. I had earlier written about the 2400II which is the top of the range of the 6N interconnect range. An opportunity arose to acquire the 2070II at a decent price and I took it without hesitation. I have actually heard the 2070II before briefly at Audio Basic in Adelphi but did not want to consider it due to its considerable expense. Physically, the 2070II and 2400II are quite similar in that they have a transparent outer insulation layer which shows off a metal braid shield underneath. Both utilize extremely bad and mean (I mean that in a complimentary way) looking RCA plugs that looks like they can be worn as hi-fi bling bling. Sporting carbon fiber bodies and rhodium plated pins, they certainly look the price and exude class. The 2070II is physically larger and substantially heavier than the 2400II and its RCA plugs are quite large (and actually too close for comfort on tightly spaced RCA socket...