Almost a year ago I posted my first impressions of the Grand Activation power cables. Since then I have tried all of the Grand Activation cables from speaker cables, to RCA, to XLR interconnects I have tried and listened to at length to all of what Grand Activation has to offer so far.
I will focus on the power cables for this post. However there is a house sound to Grand Activation cables that applies across the board. I don't know if it's the cables themselves, or the QSA custom treatment they receive. But what I am about to say can easily apply to their other cables.
Baseline
Before inserting the Grand Activation HGA6000 power cables, I was using their AC-55 bulk power cable and terminating it with Furutech FI-50 NCF ends. I later tried the bulk cable with QSA's treated Wattgate ends, finding that the soundstage and resolution increased with the QSA Red level and above connectors, but too many of the QSA terminated cables made the sound a bit thin. I ended up using the QSA terminated cables on the source components, and switching the Furutech terminated cables from the FI-50 to the FI-28. The gold plated FI-28's brought with them some much needed warmth and richness, but did not have the soundstage and resolution of the QSA. Placing them on my preamp and amp helped balance things out while placing the QSA terminated cables brought the resolution and soundstage.
Inserting the HGA6000
I had 5 Grand Activation power cords to try in my system. The first thing I did was place 3 of them on my power distributor and amplifiers. Before we get into the sound, I want to share that these cables are first of all, beautifully made, and second, Massive AF... They are thick and do not bend terribly easily. Keep that in mind if you are trying to fit these into tight spaces with sharp turns.
(Above) The HGA6000 compared to the Grand Activation AC-55 bulk power cable (Green)
They also sound just a bit dark initially. The midrange is still open and dimensional, but the highs are slightly subdued. This takes about 200 hours to go away.
With 3 of the 5 cables installed and broken in, I noticed immediately that they possessed the body and richness of the Furutech cables, but with a way more open and dimensional sound, much like that of the QSA terminated cables. The soundstage expanded in every direction, improving the naturalness and image density as a result. The sound also went from producing a feeling of "pressure" emanating from the front baffle of the speakers directly, to a sound that emanated from within the room. The speakers seemed to disappear more with the HGA6000 cables on the power distributor and amps than with the other cables.
Bass was never an issue with the HGA6000. It was well timed, punchy, articulate dynamic and could really growl if the music required it.
(Above) HGA6000 into my power distributor
Plus 2
Adding 2 more HGA6000 to the system, one to the streamer and one to the preamp, changed things in a different way. I previously had the QSA terminated Grand Activation bulk power cables on these components. The soundstage was less forward in the room with the HGA6000 in place. With all Grand activation power cables in the system, the sound grew more refined, smooth, and open. The speakers disappeared and image density was increased. Vocals seemed more balanced than with the previous loom of power cords in the system. The midrange overall was open, layered, rich and just wonderful. The only slight drawback I could hear was there was a little less sparkle and transient attack in the high frequencies would likely notice a little less of both. But here's the thing, I think this sound led to less listening fatigue overall, and frankly I think more accurate. Sometimes I think when we are searching for "more" air, space and soundstage, we choose a sound that has an elevated midrange (1-2k), and upper treble (4k or so).
This may work for good recordings, but if you are a lover of 80's (no bass) or modern music (lots of compression) these colorations can create a harsh, thin sound. Vocals tend to suffer the most on bad recordings, sounding thin or lacking body.
Additionally, systems with solid state components, with digital sources, and/or speakers with metal domes tend to treat lesser recordings harshly.
The HGA6000 had a balance that made lesser recordings listenable, and great recordings immersive and engaging. It simply had an alluring, musical balance.
Who Would Enjoy the HGA6000?
- If you prefer a balanced sound that presents a wide, holographic soundstage, refined midrange and treble, and makes your speakers disappear within your listening environment.
- If your system is a touch forward, thin, or flat sounding
- If you crave beautiful, rich vocals or midrange that are natural, layered and open
- If you love a large, 3D soundstage
Where to Start with The HGA6000
The HGA 6000 did produce a sound I enjoyed greatly, and seemed to work on every component in my system. But if I had to choose a place for one, two, or three cords, I would probably go in the following order.
- I really loved the HGA6000 placed on my power distributor. It is capable of transmitting a huge amount of current instantaneously, and it acted almost like a power conditioner, cleaning up and refining the sound.
- My Modwright KWA 900 amps simply loved these cords. It woke them up, creating a dynamic, open, dimensional and refined sound.
- Oddly enough, my Innuos Zen NG streamer reacted very well to the HGA6000. It was quieter, with more blackness in the silent spaces of the music, and of course the other great attributes of the cable shown through.
(Above) The HGA6000 plugged into a Modwright KWA99 mono amp.
Conclusions
The HGA6000 is a beautifully constructed, and sonically refined cable that sits at a fairly high price point. I think it is unique amongst it's peers in its naturalness, glorious midrange and the holography it can help a component produce. It's not the thinnest, lightest or most flexible cable in the world, so one must consider how and where it will be placed and routed in one's system. But for those who love. If you are in the market for such a power cord at the $5000 price point, the Grand Activation HGA 6000 needs to be auditioned in your system. I currently have 5 in my reference system and could not be happier. Not only do I highly recommend them, I use them.
Music
My playlist for auditioning is below. Click on the image, it will bring you to Tidal and the playlist.
