A stupid question(s) about power cords
As the title indicates, I admit that this is probably a stupid question. But since I don’t know (for sure) the answer, I am asking it anyway.
The recent power cord thread got me interested in a power cord upgrade (from the stock cord) on my Maranzt SA10 (SACDP). The power cord receptacle on that particular component does not have a male equipment ground pin--only the neutral and hot pins. Therefore the cord supplied by Maranzt is a two pole (if that is the right terminology) cord. But because I have done it this way before, I do know that it will accept a power cord with an equipment ground as well as a neutral and hot.
Question 1: I went to musicdirect and looked at some power cords and I saw one (an open box Audioquest NRG Z2) that they were calling a two pole cord. The end that plugs in to the component only has a neutral and a hot, but the other end, the end that plugs into the outlet in the wall, does have an equipment ground blade (so that end has three blades). Why would that be?
Question 2: (and this is the stupid one) if a power cord has an equipment ground pin plugged into the wall, even if it is not plugged into an eqipment ground in the component itself, that cord is still connected to the neutral bus bar in the panel, right? So that being the case, since the equipment ground wire in the cord is right next to the hot wire, is there a way unwanted stuff (rf or whatever, my understanding of this is quite limited) can that dirty up the power that is traveling on the hot wire in the power cord?
I think that the answer to the last question is probably going to be ’no’? And if the answer is ’no’, that means that I really don’t need to shop for only two pole cords, right? And I see this as sort of important because if I buy a two pole cord, the ONLY component I can use it on/try it out on will be my SACDP--there will be no playing around with a two pole cord on my preamp or my amp.
And ALSO, if I don’t feel constrained to shopping ONLY for two pole cords, I would probably have more options to consider.
TIA for legitimate insight to this, and to all others, feel free to ridicule me and my question--I don’t mind.
I think that there are some subtle sonic changes that can occur without certain listeners (and I include myself) from consciously realizing that the changes are actually occurring. But I also think that they add up and make for a more pleasurable listening experience, although some listeners (myself included) do not always immediately recognize why they are finding it more enjoyable. I already know what the response to this theory is. |
@audphile1 ....+(fill in your blank)....I’m totally ’in’ with ur previous enumerated list; in my distorted life, the only clarity in my hearing is through a pair of BTE aids for my compromise.... ICs’, PCs’, Driver lines.....? I’d have to dial ’em up to 11, and Still have to strain the between them to Perhaps notice anything above my tinnitus threshold... So...the Lucky can, and the rest be Believers in the Maybe... Enjoy....until it becomes 'not good enough' once again.... 😏 |
@immatthewj it’s definitely very possible. |
@audphile1 , it is installed connecting my SA10 to the grid and I put 3.5 hours on it tonight. (in truth, I unplugged my system after I finished up this evening, so is not presently connected.) I am starting out dabbling my toes in the water with the Preffair. I actually went with the gold plated option, because if Rhodium does make it a tad brighter, that is the opposite way I want to go as my system stands now. I love that SLP-05, but it is definitely not what my idea of a warm preamp is. Which I am not saying is a bad thing, but, again, if anything , my system could sound a touch warmer without hurting my feelings or my ears. Speaking of preamps, I am going to get one for that also. However, I am thinking maybe I should put the cord that I just bought on to the preamp and go with the carbon fiber version for the SA10? I remember reading a previous power cord thread, and it was suggested that digital might benefit from being shielded? |
@asvjerry this happens frequently. I won’t deny it. But then again it happens to us because we hear the difference and we want to hear what some other power cord or interconnect will sound like. Not the best situation to be in because it almost always means you’re switching to analytical listening looking for changes. Worst part about it is when some of us enter that mode it is extremely difficult to get out of. Guilty as charged here. I hate when it happens because instead of enjoying the music I’m comparing what row the mosquito farted in with cable A vs cable B. Was the mosquito better defined when he farted with one cable or component over the other? Was the mosquito fart texture better with one cable vs another? If you hit a bullseye with synergy with your new cable or component, good chance you’re back to listening to music as opposed to listening to sounds much sooner. But it doesn’t always work this way. You get on a merry go round looking for your next upgrade. Sooner or later… |
