In the audio & video world the term "reference" is used all too frequently. In our opinion nearly always just to give products a perceived higher quality from a marketing perspective. We strongly feel that the term reference should only be used for the very best possible. A product where other products are measured by. It took a long time before we decided to use the "reference" label for one of our products. But with our POWER CORD REFERENCE it really was the only option.

Only in rare occasions we have heard a similarly sounding power cord. But in all cases they had a considerably higher price tag... 
 

16 mm in diameter, relatively flexible 8 X 1 mm²/17 AWG, 1 X 4 mm²/11 AWG 11 shieldings, star earthed superior suppression of EMI and RFI HPOFC (High Purity Oxygen Free Copper) conductors Unique dielectric, our special plastomer All contacts are treated with DeoxIT and SilClear Only the very best connectors are used Burned in for the greater part (90%) using our Ultimate Cable Cooker Comes in 1,5 m/5 ft as a standard All lengths are available upon request

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The POWER CORD REFERENCE has a very unique design. With none of the power cords currently available, the earth wire was designed with audio-functionality in mind, though this one is the most important. The common belief is that the earth is only needed for safety reasons. During the design of the REFERENCE the audio earth currents were a priority from the start.
It is inevitable that audio earth currents will partially flow through the earth wire of the power cord. This depends on the conductivity of the ground wire in the interlink, compared to the conductivity of the earth wire in the power cord. These earth currents have a strong impact on the sound quality. Disconnecting the earth is no option because all earth currents will start to flow through the interlink and pollute the audio signal. Our POWER CORD REFERENCE is the only power cord on the market where full attention was paid to this critical function of the earth conductor. The results are astonishing!
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In our REFERENCE not only the earth wire is shielded, but also the field generating live and neutral wires. In total, the REFERENCE has no less than 11 screens! Despite this number of screens, the REFERENCE is relatively flexible. The cable is finished with a silk jacket to give it exactly the exclusive looks you expect from a cable carrying the REFERENCE label.

The schuko European plug has contacts made of pure brass. First they are silver plated, then gold plated. The Euro-connector has UPOCC (Ultra Purity Ohne Continuous Casting Copper) contacts that are also 24 carat gold plated. Both connectors are also Cryogen treated. This means they were slowly and steadily cooled down to -196 degrees Centigrade and then very steadily brought back to room temperature. This process restores the molecular structure of the contacts, deformed by manufacturing, to exactly the way it should be.
 

All our power cords should be plugged into an grounded wall outlet to allow for the pollution and earth currents to drain. Although we pay extreme attention to good shielding we advise to keep our power cords away from signal cables as far as possible. For the best possible results, it is advised to use our power cords in combination with our POWER STRIP and/or POWER SOURCE. These combinations will perform better than you would ever expect.

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POWER CORD REFERENCE SOTA

11 fold screened, unique shielded connectors

The eleven shielding screens within our POWER CORD REFERENCE result in a very effective suppression of elektromagnetic pollution. However, even in a power cord of reference status, the connectors (which are not shielded!) will allow some pollution coming into the cable. With the introduction of the new Furutech Piezo Ceramic series connectors, this problem is finally delt with. The ideal power cord is born!
 

The POWER CORD REFERENCE SOTA is a POWER CORD REFERENCE terminated with Furutech connectors. SOTA means State Of The Art and this adjective properly describes our POWER CORD REFERENCE with these stainless steel connectors. The use of exclusive metals like Rhodium and truly new and patented technologies concerning Piezo-electric ceramic materials characterize these connectors. Also, the finish is exceptional. The best of two worlds meet in our POWER CORD REFERENCE SOTA. Some qualified dealers already consider this power cord to be the very best on the market!

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The POWER CORD REFERENCE SOTA is available with 20 A IEC connectors for use as a mains cable for a POWER SOURCE, POWER STRIP or BALANCED ISOLATOR SOURCE. This application is warmly recommended, because the improvement will be enormous!

These sublime connectors from Furutech are far more expensive than standard plugs. The effects can be described as a more relaxed sound, an improved retrieval of details, moreauthority in the lower frequencies, more “body” in the midrange and a bigger soundstage with better focus.

The REFERENCE POWER CORD has been burned in for the greater part (90%) using our Ultimate Cable Cooker. This device generates a 16 Amp current through the cable. The frequency of the AC is constantly sweeping from 5 Hz to 500 kHz. Every 3 seconds this cycle is repeated. This way, not only the cable but the plugs are also will break in.

Reviews:

Home Studio, Juni 2007; Kemp Power Cord Reference, door Kilian Bakker