Tchernov Cable Reference AC Power Review

Review. Tchernov Cable Reference AC Power. Reference strength

All of us in one way or another follow the novelties that appear on the market, whether it be cars, fashion, consumer electronics, or gadgets. The audio industry market is no exception, especially the part where new brands and models appear like mushrooms - cable products intended primarily for demanding and advanced users who are no longer enough with standard wires and want to try to improve something in their system. And here is how to understand all this diversity and not run into just a beautiful wrapper, and tests and comparisons, listening and reviews of these products help us figure it out. 

In this review, we will talk about a new product from a Russian manufacturer that has gained fame not only in the vastness of our boundless Motherland but also beyond its borders - about the new brainchild of the well-known company Chernov Audio, the power cable Tchernov Cable Reference AC Power. I will make a reservation right away that this cable is a completely new product and not a redesigned evolution of the old line. 

Previously, I had to deal with the products of this company occasionally only at exhibitions, in salons or with friends. I will not hide the fact that I was somewhat skeptical about the products of this brand in general, because according to the reviews of friends and colleagues who used and continue to use these cables in their systems, there are no unambiguous “wow” reviews or “this is the best in my system” sounded. Therefore, I always somehow passed by and never considered them in my system. But everything flows, everything changes, and the current economic situation is increasingly forcing many to look toward domestic producers. And, of course, I am no exception in this regard.

Another little note. In this review, attention will be paid not so much to the design features of this power cable, although it has enough unique technologies, and they are described in detail on the manufacturer's website, we will focus exclusively on the sound features of this cable with various system components (source/transport, DAC, power amplifier ), about his sound delivery, handwriting, neutrality, universality, in short, about what he brings or, conversely, does not bring into the system itself, how it helps to open up one or another component. Although not, I will still mention one design feature before moving on to describing the sound. It's more of a custom feature. It is related to the ability of the cable to remember the position of the bend of the conductor, which is set by the user. When you pick up this cable, it becomes amazing how such a thick and elastic-looking conductor can be so pliable and obedient, directly nanotechnology and memory form in action. 

A very useful feature for those who have limited switching capabilities. It is also probably worth noting the lightness of the conductor itself, which is lighter than many counterparts similar in cross-section. This allows you not to worry about the fact that under its weight it will forever try to break out of the embrace of the hardware connector. In my practice, there were moments of breakdowns and the subsequent repair of these same connectors in the devices themselves. The general impression is this: a reference level cable, you take it in your hands and understand that this is not some kind of intermediate model in the manufacturer's line, but a really high-class thing that is not inferior to foreign analogs. how such a thick and elastic-looking conductor can be so pliable and obedient, directly nanotechnology and memory form in action. A very useful feature for those who have limited switching capabilities. It is also probably worth noting the lightness of the conductor itself, which is lighter than many counterparts similar in cross-section. This allows you not to worry about the fact that under its weight it will forever try to break out of the embrace of the hardware connector. In my practice, there were moments of breakdowns and the subsequent repair of these same connectors in the devices themselves. 

For a more complete review objectivity, all six cables (three Tchernov Cable Reference AC Power and three of my "reference" cables) were connected into one passive surge protector. In turn, the cables were compared both in the entire path as a whole and when connected to each component separately, so that it would be possible to identify with which of the devices these network cables show the best synergy. I note that the components themselves are quite critical to what network cable they work with. The price range of the "reference" group of cables is much higher than that of Tchernov Cable representatives. But the comparison and test are more interesting, and the result obtained is more valuable.

 Looking ahead, I must make a reservation that for a greater manifestation of the corporate effect (if there is such a place to be), I “tied up” the entire system with conductors of this domestic brand. 

After listening for some time with the “reference” set of conductors familiar to me (including interconnects and acoustics), I first changed all the “weak power” to Tchernov Cable products, while not affecting the network cables so far ... and was pleasantly surprised. The first thing I heard was that a certain density appeared in the middle register, as a result of which there was a feeling that all the performers somehow began to stand out from the general pitch in a different way, however, a certain overtone of sharpness appeared at the upper end of the HF range, but with all this the sound became softer and more soulful, pleasant to the touch, not just sugary, but somewhat melodious.

 Having gotten used for some time to such a presentation of a sound, I began to replace the network cables. And then another pleasant surprise awaited me, which I had not noticed before with such tests. The replacement of all three power cables led to a significant change in the stage, its construction and the arrangement of the performers. I observed such a pronounced effect for the first time when changing only one power wire. Here you have high technologies and a complex construct of the cable itself, where everything affects and manifests itself. Usually, when you change only the power cable, there will be fewer noticeable changes in the sound. A little air is added, resolution, energy, the foundation of the lower register, bass in the end ... but what would it be all together, and even with such a clearly audible effect when changing power cables alone, this happened for the first time in my practice.

, This alone is enough to include these cables in the list of contenders for a significant upgrade of your system. Of any significant disadvantages for yourself and in your system, I would note that the “reference” set of network wires was a little more transparent, with a slightly better resolution, but the price of the issue is somewhat different. However, if I were given to choose one of these two sets, then I would have thought many times about what to choose. The sound of the set from Tchernov Audio is so balanced in terms of overall presentation, scene, and picture. In addition, taking into account the price/quality indicators doubts completely disappear. My skepticism about domestic technologies, and in particular Tchernov Cable cable products, has completely evaporated! At least with regard to power cables, absolutely certain,. 

I boldly recommend it to medium and high-level systems, as for the most qualitative increase in relation to the funds spent. They definitely won’t hit the face in the dirt in front of more publicized foreign counterparts. Yes, and in front of your audiophile friends, you definitely won’t be ashamed when they ask what cable products you have in your system. On the contrary, it will be possible to watch their reaction when they hear these cables in action. I remember my surprise when I heard about the implementation of the system from the flagship speakers Focal Grand Utopia in full piping with Tchernov Audio cable products. It was the best presentation of not at all simple acoustic systems for all the time of my acquaintance with them.

Now a few words about how versatile these power cables are in relation to the components with which they are used.

I changed the power cables for each component, in turn, to see where the influence was the most. From my practice and from reviews of past years, I know firsthand how different power cables are synergistically suited to one or another component and how much the opposite effect can be with another class of devices. There are cables that are more or less universal, good with power amplifiers, and behave neutrally with digital sources, but when connected to a pre-amplifier, they immediately want to be replaced. And, on the contrary, there is a lot of air and resolution when connected to a source and a complete absence of bass, “foundation”, slow down, and porridge when connected to a power amplifier! Some American firms directly indicate in their lineup which power cable is intended for which device. Returning to our test samples, I can confidently say that Tchernov Cable Reference AC Power conductors are universal, and I can safely recommend them both for a group of sources (DAC, transport, preamplifier) ​​and for power amplifiers. No significant artifacts were found, as well as distortions during serial disconnection and replacement with a “reference”, much more expensive cable, which I have been using in my system for a long time.

Author: Andrey Molochnik

Type of:

symmetrical power cable for AC circuits 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz

Conductor:

stranded BRC conductors in DSC technology: 3 x 1.50 mm² (28 x 0.26 mm) + 3 x 1.50 mm² (28 x 0.26 mm) + 1 x 1.50 mm² (28 x 0.26 mm) )

Conductor insulation:

SATI® _

Belt insulation:

SASDB® _

Screen:

X- SHIELD®  SE

Shell:

TPU Elastollan®

Conductor Damping:

Cable-Core with FTDA® Technology

External diameter:

16 mm

Termination:

IEC60320 (C13) / CEE 7/7 Classic power connectors

On sale:

terminated kits in standard lengths