Power Cables and Wall Sockets

There are actually very many systems and listeners that can identify the difference power cords make. …

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The case of the dimming lights that prompted this particular thread exemplifies this perfectly.

The later is provable with a light meter, or other methods to show the lightning flickering. A lighting company could produce a graph of lumins versus time and produce a “strobe metric”.

The former case is a more of testamony like the Thomas (or what it another fellow on the road?.) The cable makers could show something happening with out just resorting to talk about the quantum world.

So it is not exemplified perfectly.

• There is no proof in here that a cord would help the lights
• And, in fact, the fellow/lady does not mention the sound changing, only the lights flickering. So he/she/they are either suffering visual hallucinations, or the sound is not very affected by the voltage.
  • I suspect the later is the case.

@yoyoyaya @rbertalotto I can understand that the effect of upgrading power to improve sound has been a point of debate; however, there are some good recommended changes that I can make without spending a bundle (like better outlets).

If I have the experience of believing that it improves the sound, then I'll consider further upgrades. I'm not really skeptical about the improvements that good power can make empirically, but I also know that I hear with more than my ears.

The visual landscape makes a big difference in my enjoyment of the sound and my satisfaction of solid power could add another facet to my enjoyment. I don't have super high expectations, but would be delighted to be able to hear an improvement in soundstage, clarity and instrument separation. And that would actually be awesome!

First I'll upgrade my 40 year old electrical outlets, then go from there.

One thing that I am curious about is if upgraded power cables will eliminate the issue of my lights dimming when listening at reasonable high volume.

I had that happen to me in an older home. Over the years the connections at the wall outlet can become loose. The simple fix was to shut off the circuit at the panel. After verifying the circuit was cold, I removed the plate and pulled the outlet out from the wall just far enough I could get a screwdriver on the screws and tightened them up again. A couple were barely finger tight! Once retightened, problem solved! You might try this simple and free fix.

Happy listening.

@retiredfarmer thanks for your encouragement. I love that you said that it was hard to believe the increase in resolution from addressing the power side of things.

I was thinking of simply upgrading my outlets to Hubble commercial, but I may think on this a bit longer. The idea of changing an electrical outlet and having a "stunning" effect on the sound gives me pause!