WOW, great sound by changing cords
JIM from COLONIAL HGTS, VA on 1/9/2025
Well I am pleasantly surprised!! I read quite a while ago that power cords matter. Nice article but it didn't persuade me. I then read, a number of days ago, about power cords and how they improve and impact sound quality. So I did research (always research) and everything pointed to buying quality power cords. I started looking at power cords on the Crutchfield site. I read reviews on most of the power cords. The comments were all positive on just about every cord. I was confused on which to buy, so I started a chat. I chatted with Eugene. He pointed me to AudioQuest NGR- Z3's. I was still skeptical but decided to go ahead and purchase five of them. Three for subwoofers, one for a Marantz cd player and the other for an OPPO dvd player. I received them the next day and I hooked up all the cords and turned on my system. I was blown away. I didn't realize the power I was holding back using the stock cords on the subs. It is a totally different sound. Deep and luxurious. So smooth, not boomy. I am really blown away. My sound system sounds completely different. It seems like even the front speakers sound different for the better. Yes, it IS true; power cords matter. Do yourselves a favor, throw out your stock cord(s) and buy quality cords. Speak to Crutchfield's customer service. Everyone there is nice and very knowledge. I now have to recalibrate my system. Then, I will check the audio and visual of the components
Pros: Read my review.
Cons: They are expensive.
2 of 3 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Gregory from Greenville, SC on 1/9/2025
Well made power cable. I have only AudioQuest cables in my system. AudioQuest is a solid top notch company. The NRG-Z3 is being used for my PrimaLuna tube dac. Everything sounds better with this cable. Excellent upgrade from stock cable. Great savings and service from Crutchfield as always!
Pros: Another great AudioQuest product!
Cons: Not very flexible as expected.
0 of 0 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
John from Greenville, SC on 9/4/2024
Definitely a difference in the audio performance of my unit. Increased base and separation in the pure direct setting, which I prefer to use.
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1 of 2 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Ted from Brush Prairie, WA on 7/10/2024
It seem to give my power ramp a little more of a boost may be a little more definition. Seems to be built well.
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0 of 1 found this helpful
Surprisingly effective
Nicholas from Schnecksville, PA on 2/16/2024
This cable has met and exceeded my expectations about power cables and what they were about. My speakers Sonus Faber Lumina Vs have disappeared from the soundstage all together also the presentation is totally more balanced and refined. Didn't think it was possible for a power cable to have this effect. But swapping the cords back and forth from the stock cable has proven time again that what you hear is definitely not snake oil in any way.
Pros: Better balance in tones from lows to highs. Better soundstage, you can pinpoint where the instruments are being played much better than you did before.
Cons: I honestly can't think of any. Maybe price. But honestly it's worth the money.
4 of 4 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Rich from Madrid, IA on 1/19/2024
1 of 2 found this helpful
AudioQuest AC Cables - WOW!
Gerald from HANOVER, MD on 4/28/2023
AudioQuest NRG-Y3 and Z3, both 1 meter. I just received 2 Y3s and 1 Z3 I have a pretty good HiFi, Top Range Rotel, Rega, Parasound components with SVS Sub and Klipsch Forte III speakers, all plugged into a Furman PL8C Power Conditioner, but I could not believe the difference I heard when I swapped out the stock AC cables for these AudioQuest cables. What a DRAMATIC Change! They're not even broken in yet, and they immediately added depth, clarity and realism beyond what I had thought was quite good already! In fact, I think these are such a worthwhile upgrade that I've just ordered two more, one NRG Y-3 and one NRG-Z3 to complete all AC cables in my HiFi system. Just fantastic! Highly recommended. BTW, the Y3s went to the components and the Z3 to the Amp.
Pros: GREAT sound isolation - extremely quiet, improved the tone of instruments. Brought more detail to the music. Who would have expected a power cable to be so effective? I'm a Believer!
Cons: None, not even the price. I do wish these were available in shorter, half meter lengths, however.
5 of 5 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Micah from Denver, CO on 4/18/2023
The stock power cable on the Marantz 8805 was ok, but kind of flat and sibilant. I upgraded to a 10 gauge generic power cable, and that improved dynamics and smoothed out high frequencies. The NRG-Z3 took that up another notch by doing everything the generic cable did, but with increased soundstage depth and a very noticeable increase in high frequency detail without any harshness.
Pros: Improved display clarity and audio performance on AVR. Smaller plug diameter than other aftermarket cables.
Cons: None.
1 of 1 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Larry from Stockton, CA on 2/20/2023
It looks very well made and sturdy. Good cable with Niagara #3000.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Have To Try Them
Denzel from Columbia, MD on 11/4/2022
It is still interesting to me that adding cables makes the system smoother... these definitely have done that. Thats probably the best compliment.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
David from Phoenix, AZ on 10/26/2022
Only a couple of cables in my stereo are not AudioQuest (yet). The addition of properly designed cables making use of quality materials is not subtle. The soundstage presented was much wider than before, and extended well past the outside edges of the speakers. Height and depth were, to a smaller degree improved also. Every sound and note is cleaner and cleaner without ever coming close to being harsh or raspy. The music that I hear is now so much more enveloping and engaging. Yes, from AudioQuest power cables!
Pros: The "just one more song/album" effect may make you stay up too late. The more you add, the better it gets.
Cons: Your friends may think you're nuts.until you play some music, or watch a movie with them.
3 of 4 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Jorge from Centreville, VA on 10/2/2022
Excellent cable make a difference on the sound of my rotel amp.
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1 of 2 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Jeffrey from Brockport, NY on 5/26/2022
Purchased to replace power conditioner cord. Do I hear a difference in sound? No, not yet with over 60 hrs on it. Definitely would be better if the cord angled down as it is very stiff and sticks out from the wall, making it very hard to conceal.
Pros: Quality
Cons: Stiff, hard to manage. Sound improvement???
4 of 4 found this helpful
Solid, Affordable Option
Timothy from Silver Spring, MD on 1/17/2022
If you have started down the path of swapping out the standard cables for something better - or are thinking about it - I have found that these cables are incredibly reasonable and do a great job. They are quiet and make a decent difference in my system (which is largely tube based).
Pros: Really well made Connectors fit all devices (including small ones)
Cons: Dealing with power is a slippery slope :)
3 of 3 found this helpful
Good power cord for Niagara 3000
Crutchfield customer from Woodinville, WA on 12/4/2021
Bought this in conjunction with new Audioquest Niagara 3000 power conditioner to plug that unit into the wall (recommended as minimum cord for that application). It works fine. Hard to say any more about it as it's just a power cord. The cord/conditioner combination made a clear improvement in picture quality on our 60" Pioneer plasma TV, but I can't say how much (if at all) the power cord contributed to this.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Santa Fe, NM on 11/5/2021
When used with the Niagara 1200, the system has additional clarity and dynamic contrast.
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4 of 4 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from West Palm Beach, FL on 5/29/2021
Well made with no issues used with Niagara 3000
Pros: Works well
Cons: Not inexpensive
4 of 4 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Newtown, CT on 4/19/2021
The feel and quality of build is outstanding. Using this on my NAD amp and it's a big step up from factory cord
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3 of 3 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Huntingtn Bch, CA on 3/13/2021
Made a bigger difference than I thought it would.
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6 of 7 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Michael from WAXHAW, NC on 3/9/2021
Very nice power cables but I greatly preferred the AudioQuest Thunder HC so returned the Z3.
Pros: Good build quality Decent price to performance but you are paying a premium for the brand name
Cons: Many better options at this price point (i.e. Pangea)
4 of 4 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Santa Barbara, CA on 3/8/2021
3 of 4 found this helpful
This skeptic became a convert!
Crutchfield customer from Cypress, CA on 3/5/2021
I added three AudioQuest NRG-Z3s to my SVS SB-16 Ultra Subwoofer and two Emotiva Pro Stealth 8 Professional Studio Monitors. They replaced the stock power cords that came with the subwoofer and studio monitors. I was someone who was skeptical about more expensive power cords really making a noticeable improvement in the sound of electronic equipment. Boy did I change my opinion in a hurry! I was amazed at how much these higher quality power cords woke up the amps in the subwoofer and studio monitors. There was definitely a wider sound stage! Also, there was more detail revealed in the music. Drum rim shots and the kick drum came alive and were more pronounced compared to my old stock power cords. I also noticed an improvement in the bass from the subwoofer and studio monitors; there was more gravitas and the bass seemed more controlled. Somehow, these power cords gave my amplifiers an energy boost that is pleasing to my ears. I don't know how they do it, but they do. I was totally surprised in a good way!
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4 of 5 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Corpus Christi, TX on 11/21/2020
1 of 1 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Olympia, WA on 7/17/2020
7 of 7 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Philadelphia, PA on 1/12/2020
I remember a good friend of mind having some after markei cables on his amp. He told me to do the same thing. I didn't listen. After reading some reviews, I decided to take the plunge. Very happy with the results/
Pros: Sound quality
Cons: none
2 of 6 found this helpful
They work
Dave from Alexandria, VA on 1/12/2020
I decided to give these a try when I noticed a hum from my turntable in the system. I used them for the Amp and phono preamp. The difference is pretty noticeable. Virtually no hum in the system.
Pros: Solidly built and theywork
Cons: A bit pricey for a cord
8 of 9 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Fishersville, VA on 8/25/2019
These cables made a noticeable improvement for a very reasonable investment.
Pros: a noticeable improvement in back round noise.
Cons: none that I could think for this limited investment.
3 of 6 found this helpful
AudioQuest NRG-Z3
Crutchfield customer from Arcadia, CA on 5/5/2019
Makes a bigger difference than one would think. The better your gear the more you will notice.
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8 of 10 found this helpful
