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An electrical engineer on how power cables can impact sound quality

Sharing an fascinating discussion of how the design of power cables can impact sound quality of an audio system from an electrical engineer that does analog design for audio equipment.

The HiFi Podcast with Darren and Duncan / Radio Frequency: The 800MHz Gorilla

The discussion of how power cables can impact sound quality starts at 80 minutes into the podcast

From the Podcast:

"If you have an engineering degree and you’re hearing this and you’re shaking your head and you’re saying this is nonsense, my response to you is that you’re logical. Based on what you have learned, I completely understand your response, but unfortunately, the way that power cables operate is not the way that we were taught in electrical engineering necessarily."

"Power cables were always thought of as series devices. If we add this 2 meter power cable to 2 miles of powerline, why does this 2 meter power cable make a difference?"

An intro into the theory behind why power cables work from the podcast:

"The power cable is not necessarily a series element of a system. The parallel elements [of a power cable] and way they interact with RF in the room in a common mode sense to ground is incredibly important." [Meaning in parallel to ground]

My paraphrase of the rest of the discussion. They get into far more detail: The configuration and materials used in a power cable matter because they affect a cable’s capacitance which in turn changes the cable’s impedance. Most importantly, the change in impedance impacts electrical signal differently across the frequency spectrum.

Two ways to get more details on this:

  1. Listen to the podcast starting at 80 minutes into the podcast. The discussion of how a cable's design impacts its ability to shunt RF to ground starts right there.
  2. Send a question to the hosts of The Hi Fi Podcast. You can find their email on their website.

​Credentials of the creators of The Hi Fi Podcast:

Darren:
Darren is the designer of many products for Boulder’s PS Audio brand, most recently known for Stereophile’s choice as the 2020 “Analog Component of the Year,” the PS Audio Stellar Phono preamplifier, and the incredibly well-reviewed new Stellar M1200 tube hybrid mono amplifiers.


With a career as an analog and digital circuit designer spanning two countries and several of the most well-known brands, Darren brings much experience to the table. He earned his EE and worked for both Bowers & Wilkins and Classe Audio before coming to Colorado, and also, before turning 30.

He is the designer of the PS Audio Stellar Phono phono preamp

Duncan:
Duncan has recorded 150+ bands, has published 450+ articles, columns and blogs and is an experienced DIYer when it comes to audio equipment and speakers. He met Darren when working as the Retail Sales Manager of Boulder’s PS Audio, and the two collaborated on an audiophile recording and concert series called “Invisible Audience,” not to mention the weekly hikes in the mountains. He is a mastering engineer, cable designer and musician, avid fly fisherman, bike polo enthusiast, husband and dad in his “free time.”


But what truly gives him a useful perspective for the podcast is his day job as a testing technician for the world’s largest online re-seller of high end audio, The Music Room. Over years in this role, he has listened to and evaluated thousands of the finest products from all over the industry and throughout high end audio’s extensive history.

calvinandhobbes
piaudiol
73 posts
 

We were in a self-imposed quarantine from the digital highway and I just saw the posts. It was glorious...

I wanted to comment on this post:

"So I guess the inclusion of the video is implicitly meant to convey that your gear was not measurable as different, and could only be heard as different?"

The video I linked has nothing to do with "my gear". The video I linked contained commentary on the experiences of a pretty well respected YouTube personality after a visit to GR Research... not my company. Just because Chris commented about the cable risers has nothing to do with my former products. There are numerous people here on A-gon that can speak to the things I built for them if they wish.

"My gear", the BUSS-Line of power treatment devices, has been reviewed, analyzed and measured for years. A search engine is your friend. The power cable I linked to was reviewed... and measured for changes in noise floor and frequency response by others. It was the subject of numerous blind tests and was overwhelmingly identified as superior time after time. Again: I never had a return of this, or any other of my power cables, even given a 100%, no questions asked return policy.

An aside for anyone using a Mac computer for a music server: try listening with the stock power cable. Then, invert the polarity of that cable (easy because of the IEC C7 connector). Then report back what YOU hear. I never comment on what, if any, differences will be heard. I don’t want to influence confirmation or anticipation bias. This is what A/B listening tests are all about. Have a friend help to eliminate any bias.

At some point, since music enjoyment is the goal, we have to trust our ears and preferences or find another obsession.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

 

An aside for anyone using a Mac computer for a music server: try listening with the stock power cable. Then, invert the polarity of that cable (easy because of the IEC C7 connector). Then report back what YOU hear. I never comment on what, if any, differences will be heard. I don’t want to influence confirmation or anticipation bias. This is what A/B listening tests are all about. Have a friend help to eliminate any bias.

At some point, since music enjoyment is the goal, we have to trust our ears and preferences or find another obsession


@piaudiol 
Ok this is timely.

My main source is the TT.
However, I have an old CD player (90s), and a new AVR that can act as a Roon end point, and then I can plumb that into the preamp.

If I used the MAC would that be with 1/8” to RCAs?
Or over ethernet to the AVR?
(And does it work on an Intel NUC as a Roon server?)

On the MacBook (laptop) the IES goes into a power supply which plugs into the computer as a DC source. SO flip that 180? Or does it need to be into something without the AC—>DC converter?

piaudiol
73 posts
 

If I used the MAC would that be with 1/8” to RCAs?
Or over ethernet to the AVR?
(And does it work on an Intel NUC as a Roon server?)

On the MacBook (laptop) the IES goes into a power supply which plugs into the computer as a DC source. SO flip that 180? Or does it need to be into something without the AC—>DC converter?

 

OK, I'm just a tad  confused by your questions.  Please clarify this question

If I used the MAC would that be with 1/8” to RCAs?

Also, which MacBook power supply do you have?  If it is the 85W MagSafe, just try inverting the power supply at the wall.  Listen to it one way and then turn it over and give it a listen...  Report back on any changes you may )or may not) hear.  I'm not sure how power polarity affects the wall wart supplies.  They are very different from the Lite-On supplies in the mini.  My power cable was specific to the Mac mini.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I'm not sure how power polarity affects the wall wart supplies.  They are very different from the Lite-On supplies in the mini.  My power cable was specific to the Mac mini.

Ok I am with you now.
I’ll disregard, as I don’t have the small Mac.

piaudiol
73 posts
 

Disregard the cable, I’m retired.

Do try the wall wart connection inversion. You may find one orientation as superior. Let us know how this works out for you.

Above all have fun and this hobby/obsession is all about serving the music in the best manner for maximum enjoyment!

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