Chord Shawline Power IEC Cable
A better power cable can help a good component sound quieter, cleaner, and more composed.
When Power Noise Gets Into the Music
Power cables are often treated as the last thing to consider, but every source, amplifier, DAC, and video component depends on the quality of the connection feeding it. If noise and vibration are allowed into that path, the system can lose clarity, tonal colour, and the sense of calm that better equipment is capable of.
That does not mean every system needs a complicated power story. It means the cable feeding an important component should be built with the same care as the rest of the signal path.
Chosen for Better Components That Deserve Better Power
We chose the Chord Shawline Power Cable because it is a serious step above a basic power lead while still fitting naturally into a well-planned hi-fi or audio-video system. Chord describes it as a high-specification mains cable, designed, hand-built, and rigorously tested in the UK.
The updated Shawline design uses thicker stranded conductors, a redesigned higher-gauge braid wire shield, PVC internal and external insulation, and a high-density vibration-damping outer jacket. Those choices are there to reduce the noise and mechanical effects that can make good components sound less stable than they should.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
The Background Can Feel Quieter. Dual-layer braid and foil shielding helps reduce high-frequency interference before it reaches the component, making low-level detail easier to follow.
Tone and Texture Hold Together Better. High-purity multi-strand copper conductors and a parallel conductor layout support a cleaner power path, helping voices and instruments keep more of their natural body.
The Component Feels More in Control. Mechanical damping in the insulation and outer jacket helps reduce cable behaviour that can feed vibration back into the system.
Expert Consensus
Hi-Fi Choice reviewed the earlier Shawline Power Chord and noted no real evidence of mains-borne interference when connected to a phono stage preamp. The same review also described stronger tonal complexity with the Shawline installed.
The Audio Two Verdict
Shawline Power is the cable we would consider for better integrated amplifiers, source components, DACs, phono stages, projectors, and screens where the power connection should not be the weak point. It is not about chasing a dramatic effect; it is about helping the system sound more stable and less strained.
This is a strong match when Clearway Power makes sense but the component quality justifies moving further up the Chord range. It keeps the upgrade practical while giving the power path a more serious construction story.
Tech You Can Hear
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| A quieter background around music | Dual-layer high-frequency braid and foil shielding helps reduce interference |
| More natural tone from better components | High-purity multi-strand copper conductors support a cleaner power feed |
| A calmer, more composed presentation | PVC internal and external insulation has a high mechanical damping factor |
| Less vibration feeding back into the system | High-density vibration-damping outer jacket helps control cable behaviour |
| Better suitability for serious audio-video gear | Designed for hi-fi and audio-visual components with high-spec IEC plugs |
Technical Highlights
- Shawline high-performance power cable
- US power cable with IEC component connection
- 3 x high-purity multi-strand copper conductors
- Parallel conductor layout
- PVC internal and external insulation with high mechanical damping factor
- Dual-layer high-frequency braid and foil combination shield
- High-density vibration-damping outer jacket
- Available Audio Two lengths: 1m, 1.5m, 2m, and 3m
Why Choose Audio Two
Audio Two ships across Canada. If you don't have access to a proper high-end dealer in your city, this is your way in — real expertise from people who've heard the system, matched the electronics, and can guide you through a decision this size.