AudioQuest NRG-Y2 C7 Power Cable | The Grid HiFi

AudioQuest NRG-Y2 — AC Power Cable

A serious upgrade for components with a C7 power connection. The AudioQuest NRG-Y2 takes a significant step beyond conventional power cords—and beyond the NRG-X2—by combining Semi-Solid Concentric Long-Grain Copper conductors with ZERO-Tech and silver-plated drain wires.

Designed for DACs, streamers, powered speakers, game consoles, and other components using a two-pole IEC-C7 connection, NRG-Y2 is engineered to reduce RF noise while allowing fast, unrestricted transient current delivery.

ZERO-Tech — Uncompressed Transient Current

One of the biggest upgrades in NRG-Y2 is AudioQuest ZERO-Tech.

AudioQuest points out that low DC resistance alone doesn't tell the whole story with an AC power cable. Characteristic impedance can also affect how freely a component can respond to sudden demands for current.

ZERO-Tech is designed to eliminate the electrostatic field between the cable's high and low conductors, resulting in zero characteristic impedance. AudioQuest's goal is unrestricted transient-current delivery rather than the compression that can occur with conventional AC cables.

In practical terms, NRG-Y2 isn't simply designed to provide cleaner power—it is engineered to avoid getting in the way when the connected component suddenly asks for more.

Long-Grain Copper Conductors

NRG-Y2 uses high-purity Long-Grain Copper (LGC) conductors.

AudioQuest uses LGC to minimize distortion associated with the grain boundaries present within metal conductors. The result is a higher-quality conductive path than the copper typically found in standard factory-supplied power cords.

Semi-Solid Concentric Construction

Instead of using a conventional bundle of randomly arranged strands, NRG-Y2 employs Semi-Solid Concentric Conductors.

The strands are packed tightly and maintain their position within the conductor bundle. AudioQuest says this substantially reduces strand interaction, which it identifies as a significant source of dynamic distortion in conventional stranded cables.

Silver-Plated Drain Wires

NRG-Y2 also incorporates direction-controlled silver-plated shield conductors.

AudioQuest applies 0.5% silver plating over high-quality copper and uses these conductors to drain RF noise from the line and neutral shields toward ground through the wall plug's third grounding pin.

This is an important distinction: although the equipment end uses a two-pole C7 connector, the U.S. version of NRG-Y2 uses a 3-prong wall plug, allowing its noise-dissipation architecture to take advantage of the AC ground.

Direction-Controlled Conductors

All internal conductors are Direction-Controlled.

AudioQuest controls conductor orientation as part of its broader Noise-Dissipation strategy. The company designs the cable so induced RF noise is dissipated and drained away from the connected electronics, where it could otherwise contribute to distortion.

Designed for C7 Components

NRG-Y2 terminates in a 2-pole IEC-C7 connector, commonly called a "figure-8" connection.

That makes it particularly well suited for compatible:

• DACs
• Music streamers
• Powered desktop speakers
• Game consoles
• Digital components
• Video components
• Other electronics using an IEC-C7 power inlet

AudioQuest specifically identifies DACs, powered desktop speakers, game consoles, and streamers as applications for the NRG-Y2.

Multiple Lengths

For the U.S. market, NRG-Y2 is available in:

1m / 3 ft 3 in
2m / 6 ft 6 in
3m / 9 ft 10 in
4.5m / 14 ft 9 in
6m / 19 ft 8 in

Key Features

• Two-pole IEC-C7 component connection
• 3-prong U.S. wall plug
• ZERO-Tech
• High-purity Long-Grain Copper (LGC)
• Semi-Solid Concentric conductor geometry
• 0.5% silver-plated drain wires
• Direction-Controlled Conductors
• RF Noise-Dissipation
• Designed for uncompressed transient-current delivery
• Available from 1m to 6m
• Ideal for compatible DACs, streamers, powered speakers, gaming systems, and A/V electronics

NRG-Y2 vs. NRG-X2

If a customer is deciding between the two C7 cables we've now added, this is the important distinction:

NRG-X2 gives you AudioQuest's Semi-Solid Concentric LGC conductors and direction-controlled construction.

NRG-Y2 steps up with ZERO-Tech and silver-plated drain wires, adding a substantially more sophisticated approach to transient-current delivery and RF Noise-Dissipation.

That makes the Y2 the logical upgrade when the component warrants more than AudioQuest's entry-level C7 power cable.

The Grid HiFi

A C7 connection doesn't mean the component isn't worth giving better power.

The AudioQuest NRG-Y2 is an excellent choice for higher-quality DACs, streamers, powered speakers, and other C7-equipped electronics where you want the benefits of AudioQuest's ZERO-Tech and RF Noise-Dissipation without moving into a larger IEC-C13 power cable.

At The Grid HiFi, we can help match the correct AudioQuest power cable to every component in your system and build a complete power solution around NRG, Storm Series, PowerQuest, and Niagara products.