2. cables
  3. 193538-10803

Question for Atma-sphere, will expensive power cables improve your amplifiers?

The reason I am asking is I feel manufacturers of high quality components include all that is ever needed, power cable wise. Sure, some people buy power cables because they need special lengths or have some out of the ordinary "noise" issues that need extra insulation. Some even like the visual aspect of the aftermarket cables. I’m just curious why many spend thousands of dollars on such when the manufacturer has taken the power cable into account when producing the product. I cannot see a High-quality audiophile component maker (especially some that sell volume) pass on a few dollars for a better sounding power cable if indeed the cable improved their product. I cannot see a person buying that $7000 amp is not going to balk if the product was introduced at  $7100 (with the better cable). 

I wonder if Luxman, Accuphase, McIntosh, Gryphon...you name it "dressed" their power cables up to look like expensive aftermarket cables, owners would be so quick to "upgrade"?

I’d be curious to hear Ralph’s opinion on the subject

aberyclark
westcoastaudiophile
469 posts
 

@inna +1 "Accuphase stock cords are not too bad”, indeed! Accuphase cables are very good electrically speaking! More expensive cable upgrades cannot not change sound anyhow, assuming no other issues like RFI nose etc. In analog design PC is at bottom of design pareto chart, which specifies impact of every chain part to final result.

+1 "The most important cable in the system is tonearm cable not power cords” yep, in analog sound system phono cable and tonearm wiring, on top of cartridge and tonearm itself, are very important parts! 

 

aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 

I’m 58 years old. Back in the old Stereo Reviews I read as a kid, I do not remember emphasis on cables like we have today. I’m sure there were others, however, the first "cable" manufacturer of any big advertising clout I remember was Monster. For myself, back then, cabling was easy. Most power cords were built in (on my components at least). I either used the cables that came with the unit or just went to Radio Shack and purchased their run of the mill interconnects. Of course, for speakers, I pulled the length I needed from the large spools at RS.

 

testpilot
986 posts
 

@atmasphere wrote
Because the customer has to be able to plug it in right away. Even though they may never use the stock cord, if you were a manufacturer and didn't include it you'd hear about it right away.

Then why don’t amplifier manufactures include speaker cables?  An amp is used to drive a speaker…..correct?   Obviously, I’m being sarcastic.

jl35
4,156 posts
 

While rumor often has it that Pass doesn’t believe in upgrade power cords and cables, rumor and visitors also report that Pass uses expensive Silent Source Cables in their listening room and at shows...my Pass mono blocks came with good power cords, but I prefer my Cerious cords...

devinplombier
522 posts
 

@oberoniaomnia, aren’t both cables in the photos above DC power from the power supply to the receiving equipment. Wouldn’t that be comparing apples to oranges.

@jea48

The cables shown in the pics carry DC power, but how is DC vs AC apples to oranges as far as the quality of the cables is concerned?

(If I misunderstood something I apologize)

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