Power Cords: A Skeptic Looking to Dabble...

Mceljo - high-end components are able to reveal details that more modestly priced components are unable to.

Therefore, other posters are correct in their assertion that being able to hear the effect of "cable changes" is easier with hi-end gear - if you are listening for those details.

On a system that is unable to resolve this level of detail - you would have to listen for some other indicator of improvement.

However, even today's modestly priced systems are capable of revealing so much more detail if they are allowed to perform to their full potential - and this is where getting the right cables come into play

E.g. I have a Cambridge Audio 651p phono stage - cost $225
- it came with a wal-wart power supply
- it performed as good as it could - with that supply
- some people might upgrade to improve performance
- I built a power supply with quality cables and much better transformer
- the performance is now equivelent phono stages several times it price point and it reveals details never before heard.

However, it wasn't only the power supply & cables that allowed me to hear the improvements - it was everrthing else in the signal path
- interconnects, amp, speaker cables, connectors...

Even changing the RCA's on the interconnects allowed the micro details now being conveyed buy the phono stage to be heard.

So power cables are just one part of the puzzle

If you were to change a power cable and you didn't hear a change - it might not be the power cable - it might be the interconnect, or the speaker cable or one of the other components in the signal path

My first higher quality cable I installed was my speaker cable - at the time I didn't realize just how good it was - since that time I have replaced every component and every other cable in my system and each time the speaker cable has revealed the improvements of each of those changes

My cables and connectors have revealed details I did not know my system was capable of and I consider them the single best investment in my system - without them it would sound like - a stereo :-)

It's the hobby that just keeps on taking :-)

Mceljo, I didn't miss anything, and if you think the power available at your current wall outlet is adequate, then I agree with this recommendation,

It sounds as if you are looking for reasons NOT to try a power cord. I would say by all means then, don't try them. If you like what you have now, don't tread any further. Just listen to the music and be happy. Many folks wish that they HADN'T heard differences. LOL! This hobby is MUCH cheaper if you do not hear differences, or better yet, you don't even attempt to hear differences. LOL!!

You said the outlet itself might be an option, so why, all that is going to do is give you a better connection for the transfer of power. So think about this, what would be better if you had to plug the system in at your service panel?

1) 3,4,5 or more 14 gauge extension cords connected together to reach the system

2) A single 10 gauge extension cord to reach the system

Connections and distance are degrading to power transfer, and what has the greater potential for benefit with that upgraded power cord, 1 or 2?

I have had plenty of experience listening to systems before and after dedicated lines, one in particular that was even upgrading the actual dedicated lines. IMHO it is a very cost effective upgrade to achieve better sound when you are using quality equipment. Oh, but I forgot,

I'm not in this with the specific goal of improving the sound of my system, but rather to evaluate for myself the reality of sonic difference from a power cord with a secondary benefit of potentially improving my system.

Sorry, I just don't understand why anyone would have thoughts about spending additional money on a system, and not be looking to improve sound quality.

Nevertheless, good luck with whatever you decide.

TLS49 - My interest in checking out power cords is too potentially improve the sound of my system, but the driving force that motivates me is curiosity to find out if I can actually hear a difference in my system rather than any unhappiness with the current sound.

Mceljo, then just get a power cord and see what happens. It may or may not make a difference. My point is that dedicated lines will definitely make a difference, and with dedicated lines, the power cord has a much greater probability to make a difference, and that difference itself to be greater.

As I said, good luck.

An interesting tidbit - I brought over my 'audiophile' power cords and interconnects to a friends house who had a system composed of equipment you could get at a typical electronics chain (e.g. BestBuy) and we could barely discern any sound quality difference. In my system I can hear distinct differences with any power cord / interconnect I try. I was pretty surprised, but I can now understand when I read posts from people that say they hear no difference.