Power Cords: A Skeptic Looking to Dabble...

Mt10425 - You are correct that I'm questioning the validity of making a comparison between what I heard today after several hundred hours of listening to what I remember hearing previously. The responses from Banquo363 and Foster_9 provide a level credibility to their comparisons as they are attempting to take some objective data.

I'm stated that I'm a generally a skeptic when it comes to power cables but I'm open to the idea that the improvements could be real. Part of the process for me is to try and sift through the many responses and try to make sense of it. I know from my experience that on some days my system seems to sound better than others and I suspect the differences could be attributed to a variety of things ranging from where I'm sitting, to changes in the accoustics in the room from things being moved slightly, to neighbors making toast next door and messing up my power, to my mood. I can't objectively distinguish any constants so it would be virtually impossible for me to think that I have enough control over the many variable that effect how I experience my system to make any comparision that was separated by any length of time.

I've seen measured data showing how much room accoustics can change the audio response by simply moving a couple of inches. I've also experience how different my system sounds if I sit in a different spot. I realize that a lot of the people on this site have a much more controlled listening environment than I do, but things like this do make me interested to know more when certain types of statements are made.

Mc-I would understand your question if someone let cables play on their own for a hundred hours then started listening. Memory might play some games. However, as I continuously listen through the break-in changes, I certainly can make sound distinctions. I also (probably with everyone else), have days when external power factors make things sound worse. I usually start thinking about resetting my speakers or tweak something. After checking the speakers with my laser pointer, I leave everything alone and in the evening (when less folks are on the grid) it sounds fine again. I hope you try some Cullen P/Cs for selfish reasons. They look interesting to me and I'd be intrigued by your observations. Good luck.

IMO amps go directly into wall. Digital and phono pre amps seem to benefit the most with PCs. I had an eye opening experience trying Anticable's new Reference Level 3 cord. It made a significant improvement to the sound/music.

The power cord has made more of an improvement in my system than any other cable. $150 power cords made little improvements. I bought a BMI HH5 power cord and was stunned. There wasn't a doubt for a second at that point what really well made power cables are capable of.