Annalyric PC-1 15 Amp Power Cord and USB-1 Digital Cable
Portable solutions like the stunning Astell and Kern AK240 player and AKT5p headphones offer sound as good (and often much better) than traditional component systems, and there’s no comparison when it comes to ease of use: No heat, no hiccups, no hassle. At the other end of the spectrum are the increasingly pricy and shelf-crowding amps, DACs, and headphones that are challenging the notions of what constitutes a high end audio experience.
But many of us don’t want to replace what we have already; we like how it sounds just fine. Except… maybe… if it doesn’t cost too much…and really does sound better… well, then, perhaps a little upgrade magic would be worth looking into. But no rip-offs. And no weird tweaks like rimming your ears with beeswax or coating circuit boards in whole grain biscuit batter. In my experience, nothing is easier to improve your system’s competitive advantage like a cable upgrade.
To illustrate, I wrote in a previous column about the positive influence of the Annalyric DPC-2 Digitial Power Cord on my Schiit Bifrost Uber DAC. I concluded that even my potato ears could discern a subtle, but obvious, gain in system clarity. I was more than hopeful, therefore, that the delivery of two more cables from Annalyric systems, the Annalyric PC-1 15 Amp Power Cord and the USB-1 USB Digital Cable, would prove just as beneficial.
And they did, to a point. After replacing all stock cords with the Annalyric system, the sonic signature of the overall system remained consistent, but with a noticeable improvement in tone, acoustic space, and background silence. No, it’s not something that’s likely to make you leap out of your chair and shout, “Expletive Deleted!” But it is as obvious as listening to your favorite music and then gradually realizing that your annoying neighbor has stopped idling his stupid jalopy in the driveway next door.
The Annalyric PC-1 15 Amp Power Cord is flexible enough to be threaded through the rack in my cramped squatters hut; yet, it seems solidly built. I tried all three cables with the Schiit headphone system to great effect. I also employed them with the main rig (all computer audio for these purposes, using the Peachtree Audio iNova integrated, Nola Contender or Triangle Antal loudspeakers, and MacBook Pro w/ Channel D Pure Music software) and found that the main system enjoyed the same discernible improvement as that of the headphone system.
In either system, the degree of improvement went as follows: “Ah, that’s noticeably better,” after inserting the USB cable, and then “That’s better, too!” with the analog power cord, and then “Ok, that’s a lot better!” with the digital cable. Contemporary pop like Kygo’s “Here For You” seemed to move with more pace and expression. Not a transformative, mind-blowing difference, but a difference, and a positive one. Similarly, a wry teen anti-anthem such as Hayley Kiyoko’s “Girls Like Girls” pulses a little wider and the synthizers drum a little tighter when the Annalyric cables are used than when they’re not.
Granted, the audio refinements conferred by the Annalyric cables might be more noticeable when playing classical and jazz than with swamp rock, but all genres seem to appreciate the upgrade in sound. Annalyric doesn’t tout any secret geometric formula for the success of its cables; just good materials and build quality that results in improved insulation, conductors and shielding and, consequently, sound quality. With all three Annalyric products in place, my headphone system definitely moved up in class. The upgrade in cables may not push my midline Schiit gear up to the level of the new Schiit top of the line Ragnarok/Yggdrasil amp and DAC, but it helps it close the gap well enough to leave me content.
In any case, the Annalyric PC-1 15 Amp Power Cord and USB-1 USB Digital Cables continue this company’s tradition of producing well-made, sensibly priced cables that make a difference. For those who want to improve the sound of their main or headphone system, Annalyric offers solid choices all around.
Annalyric USB-1 USB Digital Cable
$350–$950 depending on length
PC-1 15 Amp Power Cord
$500–$1050 depending on length