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What You Need to Know
Start Here: What Is a C7 Connector?
A C7 is a two-prong power connector — sometimes called a "figure-8" or "shotgun" connector because of its shape. You'll find it on the back of certain audio components where the power inlet has two oval-shaped holes with no third hole for a ground pin.
Common C7 devices include some CD players, DVD players, network streamers, small DACs, and headphone amplifiers. If the back of your component has a small oval two-prong socket that looks like a figure-8, it takes a C7 cable. If it has a larger rectangular three-prong socket, it takes a standard IEC C13 cable instead.
Check your component before ordering. The C7 and the standard C13 IEC connector are not interchangeable. If you're not sure which one you have, call us at 800-942-0220 and we'll help you identify it.
C7 (this cable): Two oval holes, no third grounding hole. Small, rounded shape. Often described as a "figure-8" or "shotgun" plug.
C13 (standard IEC): Three-hole rectangular socket — two flat contacts and one curved ground contact. Found on most DACs, preamps, CD players, and streamers. See the Pangea AC-14SE MkII (C13 version) if your component uses that connector.
What Is This Cable and What Does It Do?
The AC-14SE MkII C7 is the Signature Edition of Pangea Audio's 14 AWG source-component power cable, fitted with a C7 connector on the component end. The wall end uses a standard three-prong NEMA 5-15P plug that fits any standard US outlet.
It's designed for source components — DACs, CD and DVD players, smaller streamers, and other gear that draws modest current. Unlike amplifiers and subwoofers, these components don't need a heavy-gauge cable. What they do benefit from is clean, stable power with low electrical noise, which this cable is engineered to deliver.
This is the same AC-14SE MkII Signature Edition design as the standard version with a C13 connector. The key difference is the component end: C7 instead of C13. Everything else — the conductor materials, shielding, and wall-plug hardware — is the same.
What's Different About This One?
The original AC-14SE used a center conductor made from PCOCC copper — a high-purity form of Japanese copper. When that material was discontinued, Pangea upgraded to something better: Cardas Grade One Copper, developed by George Cardas of Cardas Audio.
Cardas Grade One Copper is mined in Arizona and drawn very slowly at a New England factory. A heat-treatment step between each draw removes impurities and refines the metal's grain structure. George Cardas describes it as "the most amazing audio conductor I have ever experienced" — a manufacturer claim we present as his professional assessment.
The conductor architecture is Jay Victor's patented design. Each conductor uses a three-tier structure: a large-gauge solid Cardas Grade One Copper wire at the center, surrounded by six medium-gauge solid OFC copper wires, which are in turn surrounded by six individually insulated Litz wires. Every strand in all three tiers is separately insulated.
Outside the conductors, a silver-plated copper braided shield helps block electrical noise. The conductors are counter-spiraled — wound in opposing directions — which helps reduce the electromagnetic interference they can generate or pick up from each other.
The Wall-Plug End
The NEMA 5-15P wall plug uses 24k gold-plated solid copper blades. Gold plating resists oxidation over time, keeping the contact surface clean. The plug fits any standard US 15A outlet. Two-shot molded connector bodies seal both ends against oxidation for long-term reliability.
One detail worth noting: this cable has no screw-in/out ground pin. The standard AC-14SE MkII (C13) has one on its wall plug. But a C7 component is a two-prong, ungrounded device. There is no ground path through the C7 connector, so a removable ground pin would do nothing. Its absence here is intentional.
Each AC-14SE MkII C7 is individually handmade to Pangea Audio's design specifications.
Where Does This Cable Belong in Your System?
Use this cable on any source component with a C7 inlet: a CD or DVD player, a smaller network streamer, a compact DAC, or a headphone amplifier that uses a two-prong figure-8 socket. It is not designed for high-current components like power amplifiers or subwoofers — 14 AWG is calibrated for source-level current draw.
As with all power cables, use the shortest length that fits your setup comfortably. Shorter cables give noise less run to couple into the conductor. The AC-14SE MkII C7 is available in 0.6 m, 1.0 m, and 2.0 m to cover a range of rack and desktop installations.
Features & Specifications
Connector — Component End
IEC C7 — the two-prong "figure-8" connector. For components with a C7 (ungrounded, two-prong oval) power inlet. No ground pin is present on this end; C7 components are Class II double-insulated devices that do not use a chassis ground connection.
Connector — Wall End
NEMA 5-15P, three-prong. 24k gold-plated solid copper blades for oxidation-resistant electrical contact. Two-shot molded connector body seals the connection against oxidation for long-term reliability. No removable ground pin — see FAQ for explanation.
Conductor Architecture
14 AWG, three-tier patented design by Jay Victor. Each conductor has a solid Cardas Grade One Copper center wire, surrounded by six solid OFC copper conductors, each surrounded by six Litz wires. Every strand in all three tiers is separately insulated. Counter-spiraled winding reduces electromagnetic interference between conductor groups.
Cardas Grade One Copper
The center conductor is solid Cardas Grade One Copper — mined in Arizona and drawn slowly at a New England factory with reduction annealing between each pull. It replaces the PCOCC copper used in the original AC-14SE. George Cardas calls it "the most amazing audio conductor I have ever experienced" — his professional assessment, presented as such.
Shielding
Silver-plated copper braided shield. Silver plating on the braid helps reduce high-frequency noise compared to a standard bare-copper braid. The cable is designed for wide-band delivery of clean power to line-level source components.
Gauge & Design Target
14 AWG — appropriate for source components (DACs, CD players, streamers, preamps) that draw modest current. Not designed for high-current components like power amplifiers, subwoofers, or receivers. For those, see Pangea's AC-9SE MkII.
Available Lengths
0.6 m (about 2 ft) / 1.0 m (about 3.3 ft) / 2.0 m (about 6.6 ft) — verify current Audio Advisor inventory for all lengths.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Component Connector | IEC C7 (figure-8); two-prong; ungrounded |
| Wall Connector | NEMA 5-15P; 24k gold-plated solid copper blades; two-shot molded body; no removable ground pin |
| Conductor Architecture | Three-tier (Cardas Grade One Copper center + six OFC conductors + six Litz conductors); every strand individually insulated; counter-spiraled |
| Center Conductor Material | Solid Cardas Grade One Copper |
| Additional Conductors | Solid OFC copper (medium-gauge) + Litz wire (outer ring) |
| Shield | Silver-plated copper braided shield |
| Gauge | 14 AWG |
| Outer Diameter | 12 mm |
| Available Lengths | 0.6 m / 1.0 m / 2.0 m [verify full range] |
| Designed For | Source components with a C7 inlet: CD/DVD players, streamers, small DACs, headphone amplifiers |
| Construction | Individually handmade to Pangea Audio design specifications |
| Warranty | 5 years (through authorized dealer) |
Pairs Well With
Here are some natural companions for the AC-14SE MkII C7.
- CD Players & Disc Players with C7 Inlets — The most common use case. Browse CD Players at Audio Advisor.
- Network Streamers & Music Servers with C7 Inlets — Some compact streamers use the figure-8 two-prong inlet. Browse Streamers & Network Players.
- DACs with C7 Inlets — Smaller, desktop-sized DACs sometimes use C7 power connections. Browse DACs at Audio Advisor.
- Pangea Audio AC-14SE MkII (Standard C13) — The same Signature Edition cable with a standard three-prong IEC C13 connector. If your component uses C13, this is the right version. See the AC-14SE MkII (C13 version).
- Pangea Audio AC-14XL MkII — Pangea's flagship source-component power cable (C13 only), with Cardas Grade One Copper and a different conductor architecture. A step up in conductor design for components with a C13 inlet. See the full Pangea Audio line.
- Power Conditioners — Pairing a quality power conditioner with a better power cable covers both sides of the AC delivery chain. Browse Power Conditioners at Audio Advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a C7 connector, and how do I know if my component has one?
The C7 is a two-prong power connector — sometimes called a "figure-8" or "shotgun" connector because of its shape. Look at the back of your component. If the power socket has two small, oval-shaped holes and nothing else (no third hole for a ground pin), that's a C7.
If the socket has three holes in a rectangular shape — two flat contacts and one curved ground contact — that's a standard IEC C13, and you'll want the AC-14SE MkII in its standard version instead. Still not sure? Call us at 800-942-0220 and we'll help you figure it out.
What components typically use a C7 connector?
C7 connectors are common on CD players, DVD players, some compact network streamers, certain desktop DACs, and some headphone amplifiers. Many older disc players from Sony, Pioneer, Marantz, and similar brands use the figure-8 inlet. Some newer compact streaming components do too.
C7 is less common than C13 in modern hi-fi gear, but it's still widely used on smaller, lower-power components. If you're not sure about your specific model, check the component's manual or look up its specs — the power connector type is usually listed.
What's the difference between this and the standard AC-14SE MkII (C13 version)?
The only difference is the component-end connector. The C7 version uses the two-prong figure-8 connector; the standard version uses a three-prong IEC C13. The cable body — the conductor architecture, Cardas Grade One Copper, OFC and Litz conductors, silver-plated braid, and wall-plug hardware — is the same in both.
One other difference: the C7 version does not have the screw-in/out ground pin that the C13 version features on its wall plug. See the next question for why.
Why doesn't this cable have a removable ground pin?
The standard AC-14SE MkII (C13) has a screw-in/out copper ground pin on the NEMA wall plug. You can remove it to break the ground path if a ground loop causes hum. The C7 version doesn't have this feature.
Here's why: the C7 connector itself carries no ground connection. Components with C7 inlets are Class II devices — they're built with double insulation and don't use a chassis ground. Since no ground path runs to the component, a removable ground pin on the wall end would do nothing. Its absence on this cable is intentional.
What is the three-tier conductor design, and why does it matter?
Jay Victor's patented conductor design stacks three different wire types inside each conductor. The center is a solid Cardas Grade One Copper wire. Around it sit six solid OFC copper conductors. Around those sit six Litz wires. Each individual strand in all three tiers is separately insulated.
The idea is that each tier handles current delivery in a complementary way. The Cardas copper center contributes high purity; the OFC ring adds conductivity; the Litz outer ring addresses high-frequency current distribution. Counter-spiraling the conductors reduces the interference they can generate or pick up from each other.
What does 14 AWG mean, and is this cable right for my component?
AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. Lower numbers mean thicker wire. 14 AWG is well-matched to source components — DACs, CD players, small streamers, and preamps — that draw modest amounts of current.
For high-current components like power amplifiers, powered subwoofers, or AV receivers, you'd want a heavier gauge cable. Pangea's AC-9SE MkII (9 AWG, effectively 7 AWG) is designed for those. If your component uses a C7 inlet, it's almost certainly a source-level device where 14 AWG is the right fit.
How does this compare to the stock power cable that came with my component?
Most components ship with a generic, unshielded power cord built to minimum electrical safety requirements. The AC-14SE MkII C7 uses Cardas Grade One Copper, three-tier conductor architecture, silver-plated shielding, and 24k gold-plated wall contacts. Those are measurable differences in construction.
Whether you'll notice a difference in your system is something we can't guarantee. It depends on your equipment and your room's electrical environment. What we can say is that the materials and engineering are objectively superior to what came in the box.
What length do I need?
Measure the distance from your component's C7 inlet to the nearest outlet or power conditioner, then add a few inches of slack for comfortable routing. Use the shortest cable that fits. A shorter run gives noise less opportunity to couple into the conductor along the way.
The AC-14SE MkII C7 is available in 0.6 m (about 2 ft), 1.0 m (about 3.3 ft), and 2.0 m (about 6.6 ft). The 1.0 m length covers most desktop and rack setups. If you need more reach, the 2.0 m works for longer runs.
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