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Power Cords Snake Oil ??

Having been a long time audiophile living with countless high end compnents I have to wonder about the theory and practicality of high end power cords.

I have yet to hear the difference a power cord makes. Ive owned, synergistic, Shunyata, BMI and cardas. I in no way can detect any sonic signature or change. Give me a pair of interconnects and I imeadiately notice a difference somewhere in the sonic spectrum. Not the PC though. I have accomplished 4 blind tests with my friends. 3 out of the 4 they did not know their cord was replaced. All 4 were using a stock factory supplied cord. Each of the 4 tests were done on different components. Amp, CDP, Preamp & dac.

My electrical backround tells me that provided you supply the component with its required voltage bet 110vac or 220/240vac its happy. Now, change the incoming frequency from 60hz to say 53hz and watch how quickly your soundstage collapses.! This is often the case during the summer months when home air conditioners are in use and the utility company power output is taxed to the max. A really good power conditioner should however take care of the frequency fluctuations. But 110vac is still 110vac regardless of the conductor it passes through as long as its remains 110vac when it reaches the intended circuit. Does your 8k amp or preamp know the difference of the path the voltage took to reach it ? Many an audiophile will use a dedicated 20amp circut for their equipment.That is a good idea as voltage & frequency fluctuations will occur in the home circuit to to other loads on the main breaker panel but again, A power cord simply is the means of transporting the voltage from the wall to the component. IF there is a clean 110vac @ 60hz at the wall socket, no matter what the medium is to go from the socket to the component, it will still be 110vac @60hz.

Could somebody expand on this a bit more. I just dont understand it. ??
128x128jetmek
slappy
903 posts
 
well who knows? as newer areas of science develop we may find it has a major impact to our own endeavors.

I personally dont expect and dramatic breakthroughs that will make fantastic changes to amps, cords, or whatever.

However, anyone who will state that "there is nothing more to learn from something" did not look hard enough

I remember hearing a quote, i cannot remember who said it but it was quite some time ago, around the Thomas Edison days. It was a disginuished political figure and a well respected intellect of the time.
He stated that "Everything that can be invented, has been invented". I wish i knew who said that.

Either way, there is always new things to learn.
corona
132 posts
 
At times it does seem that change is moving very slow. This is because most people are not in search of it. Most are content with the same old thing wrapped in a new container; so this is what we get. I think there is a sense of security with the known and many find that appealing. When the Wright Brothers flew the first plane the public reaction was not one of joy but one of shock; brought on by a belief that the feat could not be done. New and creative ideas are usually met with indifference or disbelief; this has been the norm throughout history.
ratsb0dd
41 posts
 
I still wonder what does the power cord do that couldn't be fixed in the power supply.

That would be my first quest if I found a majik cord.

It would also helpexplain to customers what they were buying.

steve
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Oh good grief - Yes Corona, you're Orville and Wilbur reincarnate...Well, Happy New Year everybody, I'm off to floss my teeth with String Theory and then it's nitey-nite time, when I curl up underneath my appealingly familiar security blanket and close my eyes...
kt_88
242 posts
 
Breaking the stride for a moment, and getting back to the original question......... If power cords are so very important, and my amp, preamp etc needs that $1000+ cord to make it sound that much better. Then can somebody please tell me why Conrad Johnson is still installing " FIXED " PC's to their equipment? Surely a company with their expertise and knowledge would be installing IEC connectors on their equipment if they thought it would make a great sonic improvment?

But then maybe they haven't heard of that rope theory yet :)
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