Monosaudio P902E6R Review: Sub-$150 Power and USB Cables

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High-end power cables - they have many advantages over the stock, thin, and cheaply made cords. Some of them include much superior build quality, aesthetics, durability, the ability to choose a perfect length, and most importantly, possible sound quality improvements due to lower resistance, better shielding, more purity in the conductors, or other factors.

That's why I decided to replace all power cables in my audio setups with better ones and see what happens, and what improvements each one can bring. I also upgraded one more part of my setups - the USB cable - and the result surprised me more than I expected.

Thick P902E6R power cables with big plugs

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Let's start with a general overview of the power cords I have. They are the Monosaudio P902E6R, and you can get them for under $150 for a 180 cm version in either the EU or the US variant. I've got the European version, but the only difference between both is the power plug style.

Getting into the technical details, these cables are thick with a 17mm diameter, use high-purity 99.998% OFC copper for excellent conductivity, and feature a 5.5mm² cross-section. They come with 100% copper shielding to minimize interference and Teflon insulation for exceptional heat resistance. This makes it feel really strong, but it also makes it stiff, especially for shorter lengths. It comes with an aluminum piece that has a copper-colored badge, which does not serve any purpose besides looking pretty - but it adds one more bit of premium feel, at the cost of making tight bends even more difficult.

Moving on to the plugs - they're big. They use high-purity copper conductors for optimal signal transmission and feature a durable aluminum alloy body for a lightweight yet solid build. This entire element with the blue sticker is metal, not plastic. The plugs are also rated for a maximum of 16 amps and 250 volts AC. The pins have an anti-corrosion plating, which doesn't affect resistance a lot but ensures longevity. I prefer having some thin plating on my plugs instead of bare copper - it also matches the silver aesthetics of the cable.

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How does it affect the sound quality when used with different components though? I've invested a lot of time and effort into investigating this.

Tighter bass on a Class A power amplifier

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First, I tried it with my high-end Class A speaker power amplifier, which takes a tiny electrical signal and pumps it up, driving your speakers. The improvements I noticed after replacing its power cable were:

Tighter bass. A thicker gauge cable, with its increased capacity for current flow, can ensure a steady stream of power. This leads to more controlled bass, especially during dynamic passages. Of course, it won't fix your room problems, so don't think about it that way. The bass only got more refined, yet more present in the frequency spectrum.

Cleaner overall sound. Think of dirty electricity as static on a radio. A good power cable can help filter out some of this electrical noise, or just not pick up as much from the outside, leading to a cleaner overall experience.

A preamplifier gains width and loses hiss

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How about the preamplifier? It handles the sensitive low-level signals coming from your source, like a turntable or streamer. With better power cables, it was an upgrade in many areas - but a small one.

Wider soundstage. The minimization of electromagnetic interference from other devices in a system translates to a quieter common noise on both channels. Fewer similarities in the left and right signals mean better channel separation, which is mostly what soundstage is about.

Reduced background noise. Ever hear a slight hiss coming from your speakers when the music stops? This can be caused by electrical noise in your system that's being left unfiltered by a preamp. Minimizing this effect can create a more immersive listening experience. With a quiet background, you'll be able to appreciate every delicate keystroke.

Small clarity and timbre gains on a DAC

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Lastly, let's go to the digital side of things - a DAC powered by an upgraded power cable. How much did it help?

Enhanced clarity and detail. This ties back to the reduction in electrical noise. Often there can be a noticeable, but barely so, improvement in the overall clarity and detail of the sound. Clearer and more transparent presentation that reveals subtle nuances in the performer's voice, like the texture and breath control, are always nice. However, you have to keep in mind that this effect is tiny.

Improved timbre. Here, the impact of power cables is highly subjective, but in my case easily apparent. Generally, you can expect improvements in the naturalness and accuracy of timbre. It can also result in a more realistic and lifelike reproduction of the instrument's sound, which allows you to appreciate its unique sonic characteristics.

A USB cable with surprisingly large gains

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To amplify this effect, I have a bonus for you: digital cables. And yes, they can make an actual, perceivable difference.

Monosaudio produces HiFi USB cables. You can get them in various lengths, and the price isn't super high. Their connectors are very high quality and have an aluminum finish. The USB plugs are gold-plated to avoid corrosion. In addition to that, there are high-purity copper internal conductors. In terms of thickness, they're quite thick for a USB cable, but it's nothing crazy. I would say that it's roughly 3 times as thick as a standard cheap USB data cable.

But if you think that is going to make it stiffer or anything, you'd be totally wrong. They are some of the most flexible cables I own. The very, very soft braiding helps a lot in giving a more luxurious feel.

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Technical specifications are important, but what sonic enhancements can it make?

Details. Standard USB cables can often leave a veil on the sound. Upgrading to a well-made cable with superior shielding and construction can be like clearing away that haze. You'll start hearing more than before. And trust me - I was going back and forth between a regular cable and this one, as I was left in disbelief that the difference could be that big for just a cable.

Soundstage depth. Standard cables can sometimes restrict the illusion of depth, making instruments feel congested and close together. A better cable can create a deeper, but in this case not that much more expansive, sonic environment. Instruments seem to take their proper place in the mix, with a distinct sense of separation in front and behind you.