This review page is supported in part by the sponsors whose ad banners are displayed below
I brought the aR1p, powerChords and my home brew power bar to my parent's house and tried it on their system which includes an Audio Space tube integrated, Rotel CDP, JM Reynaud Twin Siggies, Dual turntable and NAD phono stage. Household wiring and outlet is standard residential issue. Incidentally, dad's system resides on the same AC circuit as his computer gear. To say the aR1p improved sonics would be a gross understatement. Layers of grunge and haze evaporated and music simply burst forth out of this modest system. We both noticed not only far greater detail but the overall presentation was smoother, more inviting and more invigorating. Adding the 'e' powerChords to the CDP and integrated upped the ante even further. And I didn't hear the slight tonal shift I noted in my system. In fact, textures here were considerably richer, with a fuller more robust bottom end.


I also tried the aR1p in our TV room system which consists of a Samsung flat-screen LCD monitor, Samsung DVD player, HDTV cable box and Audio Zone AMP-1 integrated driving a pair of AV123 Strata Mini speakers. I plugged the aR1p into the wall outlet and connected it to my power strip. While I certainly noticed a sonic improvement with cable TV and DVD soundtracks, notable changes in picture quality were elusive. Perhaps colors were a little more vibrant and picture clarity was improved but I can't say for sure. Interestingly, the addition of aR1p did not in any way impede current flow to the onboard 300-watt subs of our Strata Minis that would have been audible.


It's been several months since I had Blue Circle's BC6000 in house and a direct comparison with an aR1p was not possible. However, my aural memory suggests the BC6000 removes more grunge over a wider band and I don't recall any noticeable sonic tradeoffs no matter how minor. A more meaningful comparison might have been Audience's aR6 which offers 3 duplex outlets as does the BC6000. I still have GutWire's original MaxCon conditioner and use it occasionally particularly with digital gear. While it offers a quiet noise-free background, it doesn't inject the aR1p's shot of adrenaline. The aR1p was noticeably superior in every respect.



The new 'e' powerChords appear outwardly identical to their regular issue brethren with Wattgate connectors at both ends. Apparently the difference is on the inside. According to Audience's website, "as of November '07, Audience has developed proprietary technology to improve the conductivity of Audience Au24 cables and powerChords that results in a more refined product. The basic musical character of the cables is unchanged; however they are enhanced. This technology results in the seeming removal of a veil resulting in the improvement of a world-class product. In addition to the standard Au24 and powerChord cables, this new technology is available as an 'e' enhanced version."


My guess is the 'e' version undergoes some sort of deep cryo process. Neither cable uses any shielding. Audience believes that shielding power cables is detrimental to performance. Many competing if not most cable firms would strongly disagree but I have generally preferred unshielded power cables on amps. In my experience, the standard powerChord has been among the most predictable and consistent AC cables I have tried. It excels in speed, openness and dynamic contrasts while lowering noise. Compared to some cables, usually larger heavily shielded ones such as GutWire's Power Clef, the powerChord may at first blush seem to lack in bass weight and noise reduction. However, the bass via the Audience cords sounds more articulated and musically coherent to my ears. My colleague at Positive Feedback Bob Neill refers to the powerChords as testosterone injectors - an apt description which also indicates that these cables might not be ideal for every system and component. With certain component combinations, the powerChords might be too much of a good thing and tip up the tonal balance or overemphasize leading edges at the expense of weight and harmonic richness. However, with my wee Manley EL84 monos, they are the bee's knees.


Swapping the 'e' powerChords on my Mahi monos, I noted the same spatial expansiveness, dynamic nimbleness and punchy, fluid bass of the standard powerChord. Where I noticed a difference was in transparency and low-level resolution; there was more of both. And it wasn't difficult to hear either. Placement and sizing of performers were more apparent as was ambient detail retrieval. However, with this increase in apparent detail and articulation, I didn't hear any thinning of textures or any undue effects. I did move the cables around from component to component and generally preferred the Audience on my amps while shielded cables such as Harmonic Technology's AC-10 and various GutWire cables work better on my digital sources. In my system, this 'split' arrangement has served me well. However, careful audition and experimentation is key to reaping the most from aftermarket power cables.


For a fiver shy of $500, the adeptResponse aR1p is excellent value and offers plenty of options. Buy a decent aftermarket power bar, run your system from a single aR1p and then as funds permit, buy additional units to provide greater separation between components. A power bar and one or more aR1ps should offer an extremely effective alternative to spending several thousands on AC conditioning and surge suppression. My kind of deal!


The a1Rp made my system sound bigger, cleaner, more dynamic and dramatic. The same was also true with the 'e' powerChords. They offered the same excitement and life-injecting shot for music playback but also added a bit more clarity and articulation than the regular version. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to my system with both Audience products and you just might too.
Sidebar 1: Caelin Gabriel's Shunyata website used to classify powerline products into pace setters and noise killers, a very descriptive and meaningful distinction between acceleration potential of transients, dynamics and overall jump factor vs. extreme blackgrounds and increased damping. Paul's descriptions clearly show in which of Caelin's two categories today's Audience products fall. - Srajan Ebaen
Editor's note: Upon submission of Paul's review and our customary fact check with the manufacturer, Audience graciously offered Paul to keep both review loaners as future review comparators. This would also avoid complicated re-exportation across the persnickety Canadian border plus return ship charges. I approved Paul's acceptance.

Quality of packing: Excellent. Cables ship in zip lock plastic bags inside cardboard boxes.
Reusability of packing: Appears to be reusable several times.
Quality of owner's manual: What would you need a manual for?
Condition of component received: Flawless.
Completeness of delivery: Perfect.
Website comments: Informative with good quality pictures.
Warranty: Ten years parts & labor for defects.
Human interactions: Professional, helpful and friendly.
Pricing: Quite reasonable.
Final comments & suggestions: Audience products generally ship with plenty of product info sheets, review reprints plus a small tube of Caig Deoxit contact cleaner for a very professional presentation.
Audience website