Vertere Redline power cable : Perfect for CAS components!

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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My CAS friends and I have been into CAS for nearly 10 years and have the following feelings to share : Are CAS really convenient?

Yes, extremely convenient in terms of expanding our music library and knowledge to near-infinity by streaming.
Yes, we can have handy & univeral controls : iPad/tablets, iPhones/Androids, remote site computers ...etc.

However in a hi-end CAS system there can be so many components : routers, audiophile switches, NAS, usb conditioner.
And associated LPS and cables too!

We deeply feel that for a hi-end CAS system, any of these components can affect the final sonic result easily. A lot of time/tries in tweaking/matching is a must.

Another concern is the investment.
We can't afford to use good/expensive cables on every CAS components!

Recently my friend Kahw and I found a good yet reasonably priced powercord for this particular use : Vertere Redline Power Cable.
 
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CKKeung

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20200622_201212~2.jpg
20200622_201700~2.jpg
 

CKKeung

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Mr. Touraj Moghaddam, boss & designer of Vertere is actually an "analog man".
From his Roksan old days to the current venture of Vertere Audio, he may be most famous for the turntables & tonearms designed by him.

His Vertere cables likewise are characterized by musicality & analogueness.
The Redline Series is the new entry grade series launched earlier this year.

Kahw and I haven't tried the other cables of Redline yet, but we are confident to say that the Redline Power Cable is a perfect partner for CAS components.

20200806_234211~2.jpg

Why?
It's because its strong areas of musicality and analogueness are exactly what CAS needs.
Also the freq response is quite even, without emphasis on any particular segments.

There are some points to note when using it :
1. It needs burn-in definitely. Initially the density and midrange are deficient. We "boiled" it by an Audiodharma Cable Cooker for a few days and the result was a WOW.

2. All Vertere cables excels at sites of low electrical current or low level signal. So please don't use these Redline power cables on poweramps or powerstrips/power-conditioners. The smallish CAS components are more suitable partners.

In fact both Kahw and I think that for CAS components, this Vertere Redline power cable can be a Giant Killer!
:oops:

BotRedliansd I bought several Redline for personal uses.
We have itchy hands so after a while, we did some experiment and tweaked them further.
Will share with you on a coming post.
;)
 
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Ron Resnick

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I am a huge fan of Touraj, both personally and professionally. Tinka and I got to know him and his daughter in London.

What is "CAS"?
 
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CKKeung

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I am a huge fan of Touraj, both personally and professionally. Tinka and I got to know him and his daughter in London.

What is "CAS"?
Computer as/audio source. :)

Touraj visited HK rather frequently (until the pandemic).
He is always nice, friendly and helpful!
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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Redline is Vertere's entry-grade series.
Manufacturing cost consideration is understandable.

The quality of its power connectors is acceptable but not superior.

The following photo compares it with a gold-plated connector of Furutech.
It's obvious that the gold-plating and polishing of the Furutech are superior :
IMG-20200803-WA0068.jpg

Therefore my frd Kahw and I tested the various Furutech power connectors on the Redline powercord :
the top 5x Series, FI-48 Rhodium, FI-48 NCF Rhodium, FI-48 NCF Silver and FI-46 NCF Gold.

The internal wires of Redline powercord are tinned.
Switching power connectors is just attach&play. No soldering needed and completely reversible.

Eventually we found a best combination of Redline powercord with Furutech power connectors!
:cool:
 
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CKKeung

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The Furutech power connectors are very very nice-built :

20200627_151025~2.jpg
20200627_151054_HDR~2.jpg
20200815_215120~2.jpg

Initially we changed the male connector only :

20200806_234149~3.jpg

But the sonic result was so good that we couldn't resist changing the female connector as well :

20200815_214917~3.jpg

After a lot of mix&match and audition, Kahw and I arrived at this combination :
FI-46M NCF Gold male + FI-48F NCF Rhodium female :

20200815_214917~2.jpg

We compared that with a Furutech 4.1 powercord with 5xSeries connectors and found the former to be more balanced and musical, bettering the latter in seconds!
:cool:

Of course that combination is our personal preference and YMMV.
Anyway the process was great fun!
:D
 
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justubes

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Aug 10, 2015
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Hi CK,

I am keen to try this.

Does it mean by smallish low current equipment as in small 2A linear power supplies.

Would the like of a high current linear supply like the keces which using a bigger transformer capable of supplying 8A of current be excluded.

Many cd transports and dacs, even preamps have very small power supplies and dont consume much power.

Do these red powerline work fabulously on these equipment as well.

Thanks!
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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Hong Kong
Hi CK,

I am keen to try this.

Does it mean by smallish low current equipment as in small 2A linear power supplies.

Would the like of a high current linear supply like the keces which using a bigger transformer capable of supplying 8A of current be excluded.

Many cd transports and dacs, even preamps have very small power supplies and dont consume much power.

Do these red powerline work fabulously on these equipment as well.

Thanks!
Hi Justubes,
I strongly recommend you to buy one Redline powercord, upgrade its plugs, burn it in for a few days, then try it on serveral components of your audio systems.

I tried it on CAS LPSs, Cybershaft clock, a Goldmund preamp, the motor/pump powersupply unit of the Air Force 1 turntable of a friend : all had good performance.

However the authority & macro-dynamics were wanting when I tested it on mono poweramps.

Please buy one and try try.
I am sure there shall be a few suitable sites for Redline powercords in your audio system.
:)
 
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justubes

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Aug 10, 2015
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The agent will allow a short demo, in your opinion, without a long break in, would the test outcome be wasted of the dealers kind efforts and time to bring it over?
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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The agent will allow a short demo, in your opinion, without a long break in, would the test outcome be wasted of the dealers kind efforts and time to bring it over?
The agent lend it to you for one or two days?
Or he will bring it over to test in your home just for an hour or two?

You may ask the dealer to break it in first.
Even without the upgrade plugs, I guess you can notice its potential.
:)
 

justubes

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Aug 10, 2015
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I am not sure, but he was kind to say he would bring ot over as Vertere did not take off in here a few years ago by another big dealer, so it will be reintroduced here under and pushed by the new AE dealership here.

I will ask, but currently it is new and i honestly do not have too high an expectation given that it is rather entry level, short of your high recommendation.
 

justubes

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Aug 10, 2015
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Vertere Redline and HB being cooked.
More to come..... Resizer_15990581931010.jpg
 
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justubes

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Just an overnight burn, i am not hearing the lack of density or midrange, including bass heft, but can appreciate how a long burn in to further refine the sound would be a big plus.


I tried the higher end HB version first, had less of a sound, higher level of refinement, less interesting, less exciting, less dense cable, bass was way way less and could only imagine in amps or higher powered equipment, the weight of Redlines killed it on the spot.

So thanks to CK's recommendation identifying a good product overall, a killer already compared to the previous more expensive model, which speaks of the value alone of the Redlines.

I can just imagine the refinement and openess the furutech ncf material would bring and possibly a much higher sonic level end result.

It is not that the plugs provided are bad, i expect, more so the smoothess, refinement and lower noise NCF material would bring to a very satisfying high level result to close upon nearer reference level powercords.

Except that the added high costs of ncf plugs would add too much to the overall cost and not sure i would want to take that tests,
as the total investment, whilst still shy of a competing higher tier powercords would require more comparisions.

I will discuss more with the dealer to investigate how a 3m or longer version could possibly prove to have an edge sonically of use for their demo system.

Yes, imo it would be hard to find any better cords at the same RRP's, or hard pressed to possibly find a better match with small networking equipment, or even feeding your front end equipment.

Place it over any stock freebie cords where you would not imagine it would contribute to your overall improvement, it possibly would blow your mind.

As CK recommended, perfect of your routers, switches etc, unless you have already placed a high quality cord in those positions already.
 
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CKKeung

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Just an overnight burn, i am not hearing the lack of density or midrange, including bass heft, but can appreciate how a long burn in to further refine the sound would be a big plus.


I tried the higher end HB version first, had less of a sound, higher level of refinement, less interesting, less exciting, less dense cable, bass was way way less and could only imagine in amps or higher powered equipment, the weight of Redlines killed it on the spot.

So thanks to CK's recommendation identifying a good product overall, a killer already compared to the previous more expensive model, which speaks of the value alone of the Redlines.

I can just imagine the refinement and openess the furutech ncf material would bring and possibly a much higher sonic level end result.

It is not that the plugs provided are bad, i expect, more so the smoothess, refinement and lower noise NCF material would bring to a very satisfying high level result to close upon nearer reference level powercords.

Except that the added high costs of ncf plugs would add too much to the overall cost and not sure i would want to take that tests,
as the total investment, whilst still shy of a competing higher tier powercords would require more comparisions.

I will discuss more with the dealer to investigate how a 3m or longer version could possibly prove to have an edge sonically of use for their demo system.

Yes, imo it would be hard to find any better cords at the same RRP's, or hard pressed to possibly find a better match with small networking equipment, or even feeding your front end equipment.

Place it over any stock freebie cords where you would not imagine it would contribute to your overall improvement, it possibly would blow your mind.

As CK recommended, perfect of your routers, switches etc, unless you have already placed a high quality cord in those positions already.
Thanks Justubes for the sharing, and happy to know that you like the Redline power cable too.

Actually I did compare the Redline (with upgraded plugs) to a Vertere higher-grade HB power cable. I was surprised by that the Redline bettered the more expensive HB in certain application sites.

I myself am using two Vertere HB power cables for my two Totaldac xlr version D1-Drivers.
These are their gold-plated male power-plugs. Look quite ordinary.
20200809_112840~3.jpg

In the contrary the proprietary female power-plug of HB is very well-made and beautiful :
TB1J_jkaQfb_uJkSne1XXbE4XXa_!!2-item_pic.png_960x960Q50s50~2.png

I think you can guess what I had done?
Problem solved with two Furutech FI-46M NCF male power-plugs :
20200816_113025_HDR~3.jpg

Haha :p
 
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justubes

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Hi CK,

Did you test the HBS version.

I feel that there is a big uplift in performance of the new range of Vertere powercords.

I am specifically looking of the magical midrange and musicality i get only from my HB lan cable.

It might from the latest Vertere HBS powercord.

Did you consider or test the Rhodium versions of the NCF for your HB's which may have a good outcome.

For the redlines, gold NCF Furutechs may be most
suitable.

I have a feeling if you can compare the 3m Redlines would bring a nice uptick in performance.
 
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kimurastanley

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Mar 16, 2019
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Singapore
@justubes

Have been few months. Are you still using the vertere redline power cable?
Looking for power cord for my LPS.
 

justubes

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2015
211
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273
Wow, time really flies.

Oh yes, do like it and not much reason to change, thought have carefully optimised the sound by changing the connectors after living with it for quite some time.

In a way, balancing it's shortfalls as connections were the weak link by getting more drive out of the sound.

Which is you LPS powering? Shoot me a SMS anytime...
 

kimurastanley

Well-Known Member
Mar 16, 2019
256
291
150
Singapore
Wow, time really flies.

Oh yes, do like it and not much reason to change, thought have carefully optimised the sound by changing the connectors after living with it for quite some time.

In a way, balancing it's shortfalls as connections were the weak link by getting more drive out of the sound.

Which is you LPS powering? Shoot me a SMS anytime...

I am using plixir elite. Sure. Will WhatsApp you :)
 

CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
3,053
3,172
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Hong Kong

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