Nordost Blue Heaven AC Cord Review

[fpitas]

He can go on a vacation in Portugal because the claims there is a difference, not despite of it.

From the way they fight and deny actual measurements, it must be like an addiction.

 

[uwotm8]

Good cable but AudioQuests are definitely better

 

[Geert]

god this one was so good

View attachment 291828

Other countries should take Portugal as an example for not letting cable believers in

 

[MacClintock]

If you don’t care about safety certification and you just want the aesthetics of fancy cables (which is totally valid IMO) aliexpress has thousands of replicas of these. For 1/10,000th the price.

I have a couple pairs of “nordost” XLRs from aliexpress and they look identical, and check out fine on my scope (at least, not broken, and no excessive interference even when held next to EMI nightmare devices)

I don’t like to condone supporting replica markets but in this case I have no empathy towards a company scamming consumers with lies, support the factories that probably make all of the parts that go into them anyways.


View attachment 291745

One of the rare cases where the replica might be better than the original.

 

[AudioX3]

@amirm at this point does it just make sense to do no more reviews on rediculous power cables as the results are the same. At the very least filter out anything that is not UL certified. Then focus on backlog of reviews that have even a remote chance of a recommendation. Think of it this way, even if it blew your mind that it was an improvement, would you ever recommend a power cord that is not UL certified? I think you have more than proved the point and it is not going to change the industry nor the folks being fooled. For those who realize they are being BSed there is plenty of existing data points. This is not a nock on you, you are awesome and rather your time be used to the greatest benefit.

 

[fpitas]

Good cable but AudioQuests are definitely better

If I get a cut of the profits, I'll agree

 

[Hart]

"When you listen to your system, you are actually listening to the AC mains supply."

As someone who listens to the AC main supply quite a bit (just turn up your volume a lot) it's not too bad. Mostly classical with some smooth jazz thrown in. It's a free service via your power company.

 

[fpitas]

As someone who listens to the AC main supply quite a bit (just turn up your volume a lot) it's not too bad. Mostly classical with some smooth jazz thrown in. It's a free service via your power company.

I like to hum along.

 

[VQR]

@amirm at this point does it just make sense to do no more reviews on rediculous power cables as the results are the same. At the very least filter out anything that is not UL certified. Then focus on backlog of reviews that have even a remote chance of a recommendation. Think of it this way, even if it blew your mind that it was an improvement, would you ever recommend a power cord that is not UL certified? I think you have more than proved the point and it is not going to change the industry nor the folks being fooled. For those who realize they are being BSed there is plenty of existing data points. This is not a nock on you, you are awesome and rather your time be used to the greatest benefit.

I agree to an extent. If a cable manufacturer makes or endorses actually disprovable claims like improved audio SNR, measurements would be worthwhile as a datapoint if enough people accepted the truth and put out a class action.

I doubt anything like that would happen anytime soon, though. Most of these companies have the sense to omit any claim that isn't subjectivist nonsense. There is that glorified wall outlet cover from Furutech that claimed to reduce SNR, but that's the exception, not the rule.

I prefer to see speakers, IEM's, headphones, and amps to be tested. Those catagories still have clunkers and gems that are worth measuring and exploring. It would be nice if every manufacturer that sent in DAC's would send their amps just as often.

 

[ocinn]

There is pretty much only one "Upgrade" power cable that is worth buying and its this: Schaffner IF13

Sure it still won't make a difference to the sound, but it is at least a fully certified cable with a real, proven filter circuit and a ferrite-choked cable, from a major manufacturer.

 

[AudioX3]

I like to hum along.

Yes it is all the buzz now a days

 

[MacClintock]

Hospital grade sounds clinical, though.

Yes, I prefer the cables used in the solar power industry, they have this warm sound to it.

 

[AudioX3]

There is pretty much only one "Upgrade" power cable that is worth buying and its this: Schaffner IF13

Sure it still won't make a difference to the sound, but it is at least a fully certified cable with a real, proven filter circuit and a ferrite-choked cable, from a major manufacturer.

That is why I say at least make any non UL certified power cable is a non starter. Paying more for a UL certified quality built cable or asthetics that is of value to some to contemplate.

 

[JasonC331]

Are there any recommendations on the proper gauge for a high-current drawing device? I work in IT and love the 14 gauge power cables we get with Cisco Switches. We always have a lot left over from data center swaps and give them to friends.

 

[Mnyb]

It really should tell the whole story , manufacturers who make 110/230 v products without any kind of certification UL or CE and others . They don’t care if your house burns down ?

 

[ocinn]

Are there any recommendations on the proper gauge for a high-current drawing device? I work in IT and love the 14 gauge power cables we get with Cisco Switches. We always have a lot left over from data center swaps and give them to friends.

14ga @120v 15amp is good out to 50ft lengths.

 

[Ageve]

It really should tell the whole story , manufacturers who make 110/230 v products without any kind of certification UL or CE and others . They don’t care if your house burns down ?

If Nordost made fuses, they should call them Ragnarök.

Rök (in swedish) = smoke.

 

[lc6]

BLUE HEAVEN POWER CORD

The standard 15-Amp power circuit requires 14 AWG conductors, while the 20-Amp one requires 12 or 10 AWG. So this expensive cable's 16 AWG is not sufficient even for a 15-Amp circuit.

Also, there is no word about any break-in time required, as with GR Research cable. Clearly, an inferior design.

 

[kemmler3D]

If a cable manufacturer makes or endorses actually disprovable claims like improved audio SNR

They almost never do this, because then they could be sued for false advertising, or at least be forced to refund anyone who actually measured the results. If you DO see any hard claims, they will always be "weaseled" with an "up-to" or "as much as" type of qualifier.

 

[JayGilb]

They almost never do this, because then they could be sued for false advertising, or at least be forced to refund anyone who actually measured the results. If you DO see any hard claims, they will always be "weaseled" with an "up-to" or "as much as" type of qualifier.

Exactly. Anecdotal endorsements are the only "proof" you will ever see on snake oil products and is the bread and butter of the supplement industry.