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... abit confused: how does a power cord affect the presentation of sound...

Hello to all...

I was shifting around components in my system, trying to squeeze out better controlled bass, more definition within the soundstage, and better define the "voice/midrange" presentation...

I presently have a tube preamp (hardwired with a wall wart) into an HT Receiver; source is a Marantz SA-8001 CD Player

Swapped out a Yamaha HTR -5550 (hardwired) for a Parasound HCA-750A (which needs a power cord).

CD Player is powered with a PS Audio Statement SC power cord, so I went in my closet and pulled out another PS AUDIO Statement SC power cord, hooked it up and expect to give it at least 5 days continuous re-break-in before serious listening.

Took a minute to lookup reviews about this power cord - and I read some rather confusing reviews: some luved 'um, some liked 'um, but some thought them " ...slow... " (?), and giving a veiled presentation...

I'm gonna listen and decide myself - but I'm abit confused: how does a power cord affect the presentation of sound - I know that interconnects and speaker cables would/could/Do affect sound presentation - but how could a power cord?

Explanation/thoughts please...
insearchofprat
cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 
It does not.

As long as your cord is thick enough (low resistance) for the maximum power of your load, power cords do not in any way affect the sound. Think about it..... you are constrained by the romex house wire coming to your mains outlet from your main panel.

A 14/12 gauge mains wire will be more than adequate for 95% of home audio (15 amps at 120 volts = 1800 Watts, https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/ampacity-charts/ ). If however, you have a gazillion watts/channel amplifier, even the thickest cord will not save you. Then you are effectively running a welding machine and you need to change your mains panel and all the internal wall wiring of your house.

Otherwise, it is just snake oil.


infection's avatar
infection
808 posts
 
The Neverending Story.

Got that damn song in my head now.


unison77
50 posts
 
I don't know how, but at least in my system, power cords do affect the sound.
b4icu's avatar
b4icu
558 posts
 
Power cords:

Some Audio components have a poor AC line filtering. It’s a shame that an expensive component is so, but it is what it is.
A good line filter would do most of the job, the components went short of doing.
The power cord is practically supplies power to a Power Supply (PS). this is a unit, that rectify the AC, filter it (by capacitance) and mostly regulates it too.
The internal circuitry, supplied by DC power and if the power supply is good, the DC is stable and clean.

It would be a waste of money to invest in an expensive power cable.

I’ll take it to the opposite direction:

If you take one of those extra expensive and recommended power cable and connect it to your kitchen’s cattle, boil some water, and make a cup of tea - would it taste any different from the original $ 1.50 power cable?


cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 
unison77,

Your original system either came with an extremely bad cord in the first place or you are experiencing what is known as the "placebo effect".


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