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wow, a newbie power cord convert

When I got my Cary sli80 integrated last month, I just plugged my old power cord into it- the one that came with my cheap s.s. previous amp. I noticed that it used bigger wire, so I figured it would be better. Then a couple days ago I decided to try the new stock Cary cord. I put it in, and didn't really think about it. Yesterday I moved my speakers around a few inches here & there over the course of the day, and did some serious listening. I was amazed at the difference I was hearing. I had forgotten about the cord switch. I put the speakers back in their original spots, and still was hearing way more detail, and more solid placement of instruments. It was then I remembered the new cord, I guess it had been breaking in over a day & a half, (about 15-20 hrs of music). Anyway, I was a skeptic, and now I'm a believer. All this with just a stock cord from a good amp company. Makes me wonder if I can get even more good results if I spend a few more bucks...
jay_carlson
jpo
2 posts
 
That's great you all had these tremendous experiences in sound- due to a power cord. But I must know, what cords did you buy? Will a $60 power cord make a noticable change? Also, how vast is the difference in sound between a sub-$100 power cord and one that is several hundred dollars?
I would love to hear your comments.
suzy
30 posts
 
You have to match power cords just like any other component. A power cord that sounds great on your cd player may not sound as good on your amp - it is sort of hit and miss. And a more expensive power cord will not always sound better.....depends on how well it matches your gear. I have heard the Electroglide FatBoy, and it does make a pretty dramatic difference, but I didn't care for it as it had a hump in the upper bass/lower midrange region. I prefer something more neutral, like the JPS Kaptovator (this is the power cord I am currently using) The Kaptovator doesn't change the sound as dramatically as some other power cords, but instead does a superb job of enhancing the sound you already have. I know there are some power cord manufacturers who use networks, and can basically make a power cord sound any way they want them to. The right power cord can be sonic bliss.....the wrong one may sound like crap. You just have to do a lot of experimenting.
rch102a97
162 posts
 
Yes, you have discovered the magic of power cords. Does not seem possible given the cheap solid copper wire in the wall. I have recently evaluated several power cords, Electraglide, Harmonic Tech, Cardas, NBS, and Pure Note. They all sound different, some are better in the highs or stronger in the bass. I settled on the Pure Note silver cord for several reaons: It sounded best overall, the connectors were better than the others, quality is very high with the braided metal jacket. It was also fairly priced at $800, 2.0m.
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
I never disputed the difference a power cord could make, but recently a new friend was nice enough to lend me a couple different ones, and no doubt there was a difference. The cords with my pre created a fuller sound which was particularly good for the vocals. No surprise, however, that my Classe 70 hated them both (it is very picky about outlets and the power grid). With the 70, both cords bloated the midbass and thickened the sound too much. One pair of cords were Tiffanys, I think. I do not know what the others were, but I remembering him telling me they were higher quality.
rhagen
38 posts
 
So you think Electraglide is great. Take a look at this link.
It describes what a cable distributor found when he opened my
Electraglide Fatman.
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