Oyaide C-037, C-046, C-079 and C-004 IEC Connectors
With each of the four IEC connectors having its own distinctive character, there is bound to be a suitable model for every application
For the longest time I had wondered precisely how the various Oyaide connectors compared. Sure I have heard many of them, but always in different configurations and situations, which made it hard to come to proper conclusions. Over time some ideas have certainly formed in my head, but since the cables used were always different, this still does not tell the whole story. That’s why I asked Aspera Audio, distributor for the BeNeLux, to supply 4 different connectors for a direct comparison and Guy was happy to oblige.
To keep costs reasonable, I selected the well-known, Belden 19364 AWG14 (2.1mm2) powercable, and used the same P-029 schuko power connector for all 4 cables. Although I am aware that the differences will be clearest when using the same connectors for both schuko and IEC ends, the respective connector’s characters were still evident.
Belden cable
This type of cable is included often with American-made high end audio equipment. Many never think about it twice and just use the supplied leads and there’s nothing wrong with this. Others will chuck out the supplied cables and substitute their own high end variant and there’s nothing wrong with this either. While the two camps tend to accuse one another for being silly, there is validity in each of the beliefs. There is no doubt that high end powercables make for clearly audible differences in the sound. Countless reviews that I conducted have indicated that power cables can make the sound smoother, richer and more refined, or make the sound cleaner, more powerful and more dynamic, depending on the cable that is chosen. While I have personally accused Belden 19364 cable of sounding dry and harsh in the treble in the past, this is actually very much a relative matter. It is just a very neutral sounding cable that is not especially forgiving in that it does not sugar-coat anything and under certain circumstances it can indeed lay bare any edgyness that exists elsewhere in the system. The apparent resolution and refinement can certainly be bettered by using higher grade cables, but the Belden’s neutrality and lack of a forgiving quality still makes it a very good cable to conduct this comparison with. For all cables I used the same 2,5m length.
Oyaide Connectors
Here’s some advice if you plan to connect more than one type of Oyaide connector: make sure to keep the internal components alongside the outer covers. While the outside covers are labelled, the insides are not, and they look indistinguishable from one another. In my case only the C-079 could be picked from the bunch for having gold contacts. The others, while all having different platings, looked virtually the same. Maybe one metal had more shine than the other, but I couldn’t be sure. Naturally I did keep them well separate during construction.
P-029
The entry class of P/C series with brass contacts and no plating. This type is used for the four schuko connectors.
C-037
The reference grade of P/C series with phosphor bronze contacts and silver + rhodium. The body is quite distinctive with its blue colour.
C-046
The reference grade of P/C series with phosphor bronze contacts and 24K gold + palladium plating. The body has a red/orange colour.
The C-046 body’s red/orange colour looks a lot like the C-079’s colour, but when viewed side by side you can see the difference, the C-079 losing the C-046’s orange sheen, substituted with a more brownish colour.
C-079
The reference grade of P/C series with phosphor bronze contacts and 24K gold plating. The body has a dark red, brownish colour.
C-004
The superior grade of P/C series with beryllium copper contacts and platinum + palladium plating. This connector’s body is arguably the most classy of the bunch, being a blue-ish antracite.
Listening preparations
Although I am not really a fan of blind listening, this test was in effect blind with the exception of one connector, and you probably guessed it, the gold plated C-079. The other numbers had not made a connection in my head, and to be honest, they still don’t. I could not tell you which connector uses what type of metals and platings unless I looked it up, and the list above is made this way. What I did for the listening evaluations was to put the cables in ascending order (first 037, then 046 and so forth) and listen to all of them in this order while taking notes. Once some opinions had formed, further direct comparisons were made to ascertain myself of really hearing what I think I’m hearing. Finally, at the end of the evening, the comparisons were repeated once more to make sure that I was not hearing things.
All cables were equally run in, and listened to in my buddy JW’s system using the same audio component: a Jeff Rowland Synergy IIi preamp.
Listening
Starting with the C-037, the sound is very quick and articulate, with very peaky transients. The connector’s character reminds me of how a component’s sound can be changed by substituting soft rubber feet with spikes. While this brings out the edge of the transients, it can make the body of sounds less noticeable, and this happens here too. The peaks are very clear but the subtle shading is lessened. Without actually knowing that this connector employed silver, we suspected that it did, and indeed it does. Do note that silver does not necessarily always sound like silver. I have also heard silver cables that sound warm and smooth, but used in connectors, it does tend to add a typical effect. This is not a romantic or forgiving sound, but it can certainly liven up an otherwise overly smooth sounding setup.
Moving on to the C-046, the sound is considerably less dry and tonally fuller. Treble is silkier and there is less of the aforementioned spike effect. There is more of a “carpeted” feeling than with the C-037, but the reduction in transient attack may also translate into a feeling of hearing less detail. Overall though I feel that this may be the ideal connector for many, providing a great balance between explicit detailing and forgiving smoothness.
Proceeding to the C-079, the sound is very recognisable to both JW and myself. This is because JW uses this connector on a Furutech Alpha 3 powercord as well as on the Belden cables feeding his Jeff Rowland Model 6 power amps. The C-079 provides the smoothest sound so far, with an almost creamy midrange, very silky treble and an overall forgiving quality. The spike effect is no longer audible, but then again the transients are not as sharp anymore either. As more often happens, it seems that this connector trades some transient attack and speed for increased smoothness and fluidity, resulting in a forgiving, romantic sound. This connector would be ideal for taming an otherwise bright or over-enthusiastic setup.
The C-004 provides something of an ear-opener, and is the real surprise of the bunch. Airier and more open than the C-079, the C-004 manages to extract more low level resolution than any of the other connectors, while retaining the C-079’s sense of emotion and without sounding in any way peaky. There is a real sense of convincing balance with this connector, no single aspect overshadowing the other, but all aspects being clearly superior. Tonally rich yet lively, speedy and dynamic, the result is technically perfect, highly sensuous sound. It’s nice to observe that more expensive connectors also achieve better sound, across the board.
Update 14 November 2018
Adding the Oyaide P-004e Schuko variant to the mix, it became clear that my preference for the 004 is not limited to the IEC connector but extends to the 004 Schuko as well. While I’ve encountered situations where using two same-type connectors resulted in an overly analytical and technical sound, this is absolutely not the case with the 004’s. Yes, the 004’s are very precise but they’re also superbly fluid and refined, not at all dry or overly controlled. What you get when replacing the Oyaide 029 schuko on a Belden cable to end up with 004’s on both ends, is a lot more clarity. The bass becomes much more articulate and the treble blossoms, with a superb fluidity and air. In fact, the entire sound actually becomes a lot more refined but not in a Furutech kind of way: the transients in this case are absolutely not rounded or smoothed and the timing remains toe-tappingly good. The midrange is likewise enhanced in resolution but remains balanced, never overly pronounced.
Alas, it is clear that the Schuko connector is as much responsible for the sound as is the IEC connector. These connectors are admittedly quite expensive, even more so after the recent price increase but I promise that they’re worth the expense.
Conclusion
It’s still unimaginable to many, but power connectors are a great way to tune an audio system. Power cables are easy to assemble and the results are instantly audible. The big question of “how do Oyaide connectors sound”, can be answered with “this depends on the application and the connector that is chosen”.
Oyaide has managed to put together a range of connectors that all have their own unique character, ranging from open and dynamic to smooth and forgiving. As such, there should always be a perfect connector for every application.
All Oyaide connectors are manufactured to the highest standards, even the 029’s. The difference is in the platings that are applied, and believe it or not, these differences are easy to hear. Picking a winner would mostly be based on personal preferences and system synergy and as such would not be objective, but I think it is fair to state that the C-004 may be costly but delivers the best overall performance of the bunch, with the C-046 providing the most overall improvement at moderate cost.
Hi,
Thanks very much for your very useful review.
I’m about to build some cables for my monoblocks amps and I have some hesitations about what plug I should use…
I’m looking for a very smooth quite warm sound (my system is a bit bright, plus I look smooth sound)…
I’m thinking about Furutech FP-3TS762 for the cable (or maybe FP-TCS31… Do you have an opinion about these two cables?)…
As for the connectors… My heart balances between the Furutech FI-38/28, the Oyaide P004/C004 and the Oyaide P079/C079.
I know the Furutechs and I like them, but maybe I would like the others better.
What would be your advice? How do these three connector families compare?
From what you describes, I think I should go for the P079/C079… But maybe the Furutech are abetter, and still in the same kind of sound?
I read many reviews saying that the P004/C004 are bright or lack in bass. It looks that you don’t agree, but based on what you wrote, on the same time we can easily guess that the 079 are warmer and more lush. Do we lose a big amount of things when regressing from 004 to 079?
Would be very glad to read an answer from you. Hope you’ll be able to take some little time to answer me.
Sorry for the bad English, it’s not my former language.
Thanks again for your reviews!
The Oyaide 079’s and Furu 038’s are both smooth and warm, but the latter are most refined and a little bit more magical. FP-TCS31 is a very smooth-sounding cable, much more so than Alpha 3. I’ve not heard the FP-3TS762, sorry. P004/C004 are not bright, they are very neutral. For people coming from colored products, yes, they may appear bright. For your goal, I’d not go with the 004’s. These are best for people who do not want to have any filtering or smoothing effect, such as me, lately. When going from 004 to 079 you lose detail and resolution but the 079 is still a lot better than for example IeGO’s, in that field. The Furu 038’s are even better, perhaps almost as refined as the 004’s but warmer and more rounded on the leading edges.
Thank you very much for your very precise and fast comment. A real pleasure to get an answer so quickly after having spent some days veru puzzled, looking for the info on the web.
I’ll go with the 038, and at the same time my wallet will thank me, since they are less expensive than the P004/C004!
Haha yes, that’s an advantage, too!
Well, sorry to come back to you with another question, but what do you think about the more high-end plugs, like the Furutech FI-50(R), Furutech FI-50(R) NCF version, and the Oyaide M1/F1 plugs?
From what I read in the reviews, the FI-38 lose some of the dynamics, soundstage, detail and refinement of these plugs.
But maybe these higher priced plugs are all less smooth and warm? So, does this mean the FI-38/28 are the best smooth/warm plugs available?
Thanks again for your help.
I’ve not yet heard the FI-50’s nor the Oyaide M1/F1’s. After having heard many versions of both brands, I’m fairly certain that the Furutech house sound is always present. This is a subtle smoothness and slightly rounded-off transients, even when the resolution can be extremely high. I suspect that the top-end Furu’s will indeed be better than the 038’s but they remain Furutechs. Oyaide, on the other hand, does not really have a house sound: all their connectors sound different. And so it is impossible to tell what further improvements their top-end connectors might offer. That said, I think that the 004’s are already plenty expensive and so I don’t really feel compelled to give the higher end models a go.
For best smoothness and warmth, indeed, the 038’s are the best I’ve heard so far and, for their combination of qualities and when looking for warmth, I prefer them to the Oyaide 079, as well.
Hey Christiaan.
Thanks again for answer me in other article.
Well i am on the way to make diy cable.i try some gold plating and the furutech fI-050.The gold wasn t detailed and the 050 was too detailed lossing musicality.so my best i listen is the fI38 from that i listen and i think is the best option from somebody who dont like the fI 050.
Looking in oyaide i am thinking the differences between furutech 038 and oyaide 004.
Also if you know about m1/f1 it would be a piece o cake.
Hi Nick, did you try Furu FI-50 Gold or Rhodium? Either way, I think you will very likely prefer the smoother Furu 038 over the more precise Oyaide 004. I’m sorry but I don’t understand your question re m1/f1.
The 50’s was rhodium.i think it looses in musicality and is more detailed from the fI38.am i right?
So furu38 is smoother and oyaide 004 is more detailed?that about top end and mids?
My english is poor ….i am sorry.l ask you if you know details about oyaide m1/f1.if it smoother or more detailed from the furutech 38.
Yes, that’s what Rhodium typically does: more open and detailed but also cleaner and less smooth/warm than gold plating. And indeed this is most obvious in the treble and upper mids. Oyaide 004 is as detailed as the best connectors I know yet it sounds better than any pure Rhodium plating connector that I have tried. Still, I think you may be best served with the Furu 038. It is also quite detailed, but lush, warm, smooth. Oyaide M1 and F1 I have not tried but I would suspect that they have a different sound than Furu 038.
one last question if you know.
Could you let me know about the differences between the oyaide 046 ande the furutech fi38?!?!
in the price is very close.which for you is thw winner?!
I’ve not compared these two connectors in the same session but if I’d have to make an educated guess then I think that the Furu 038 is the fuller and creamier sounding one of the two. It’s got that typical copper/gold sound, the Oyaide is more neutral. In terms of detail, they are probably equal but the Oyaide 046 may be slightly more lively.
BULLSHIT go home to your BULLSHIT YOKO system!!!
This is total “BS”. No matter what cable connector you use, it’s still a electricity. No matter what material in the connector, the nature of the electricity didn’t change a penny. Refer to the IEEE standard, there is no study on different type of electricity exists. People like you giving BS comment is making the audio world a big problem. Now everyone will spend thousand of their hard-shit money to get some stupid useless connector…all thanks to you….stupid FOOL!!! you should be shameful of yourself..
I don’t make things up. I report on what I hear and these differences are easy enough to hear in a system with good resolution. Why not take the effort to try this for yourself rather than being offensive?
Pourquoi pas tester des shuko ou iec en argent ou plaqué??? style iec iego argent ou shuko iego argent
Using Google translate, your question does not come through very clearly: “Why not try shuko or iec in silver or plated ??? style iec iego money or shuko iego money”.
In general, I do not like silver plated connectors. IEC versus Schuko, however, is not an issue. Both connectors are worth upgrading and differences can be heard with both. My decision to go with different IECs for this test and use the same schukos has circumstancial reasons.
Comparé une iec iego or vs oyaide 004 ( laquelle est la plus rapide,timbré,transparente,douce) merci
Using Google translate, your question is as follows: “Compared a iec iego gold vs oyaide 004 (which is the fastest, timbre, transparent, sweet) thank you”.
IeGO Gold is very different from Oyaide 004. Fastest: Oyaide but only by a small margin. Timbre: IeGO is fuller and more sonorous but Oyaide, while more neutral, is just as natural. Transparency: Oyaide is clearly better. Sweetness: Oyaide is more fluid and refined. IeGO is a little coarse by comparison. In short: IeGO is mostly only to be preferred if you want to add extra body, color and substance to the bass and lower midrange. But it does remain a matter of careful balancing. Simply attaching 004’s to all cables in a given setup might not yield the desired result, either.
Hello Christiaan,
I recently purchased a used Crystal Cable dreamline powercable to feed my power conditioner from the wall outlet. The dreamline PC is terminated with rhodium plated Furutech connetors (FI-050).
The result, compared to the Vitus Andromeda cable it replaced, was exceptional resolution and fleshed-out detail in the midrange and treble.
For some reason though I cannot connect to the overall musical presentation which is too analytical and lacks emotion for my taste. Also the treble is not as smooth as I would like.
I read your reviews of Furutech connectors, so I wonder if you could give me advice. Would replacing the rhodium plated Furutech connectors with Oyiade ( e.g. C-004 and P-004) improve the performance in the direction I want?
Thanks,
Pierre
Hi Pierre, I can relate to your observations. In spite of a high level of refinement, Rhodium platings can lead to a feeling of lessened musicality. I would recommend using gold plated connectors for a warmer sound but not Oyaide 079’s as these tip over to the mellow side just a little too much. Rather, you should try the Furutech FI38’s, which combine outstanding resolution, openness and refinement with a sweet presentation. If you’d like to avoid adding warmth but still want a more musical result than the Rhodium Furu’s that you are using now then I would suggest to try the Oyaide 004, which is my current favorite. BTW even only replacing the IEC (and not the wall plug) already yields very large results. So, it is not necessarily mandadory to change both connectors.
Hi Christiaan,
Would it make sense to replace the plug on a standard power cord by one of these exotic plugs, or only if I also replace the power cord, which goes into an external transformer and continues into a pre-amp?
Thank you for your answer.
Cheers, J.
Replacing power connectors always results in an audible difference, even with very simple cables and using an external step up / step down transformer will not remove this effect. That said, you might be able to further change things in one direction or another by replacing the entire cable, but it really depends on what you want to achieve. There is no single “best” solution.