Power Chords and Line Conditioning

For the best value, I would start with the power conditioner. Years ago I brought home a Tice Power Block, and it took months to get my jaw back off the floor. Since then I have experimented with power cords from Shunyata, JPS and Synergistic. The only cord I kept was the JPS Power AC, which I use on my amp, plugged straight into the wall (on a separate circuit, too). The front end is plugged into the Tice with stock cords. The after market cords were usually an improvement over the same component plugged into the wall with stock cords, but no where near the improvement of the conditioner with stock cords. The after market cords plugged into the Tice generally make very little difference, and not always for the better. My experience is also that the after market cords that are affordable don't work nearly as well as the more expensive ones. But if you buy, say, 5 Black Mambas, you've spent much more than the cost of a good conditioner. With a good conditioner you treat the whole system (or front end at least) for about $1m. I like Tice (I bought Tice Solos for my theater and multiroom systems, too), but I would love to check out the PS Audio gear that everyone talks about. Good luck, be patient and try before you buy.

Hi Tom: I use both though neither the conditioner or PC are expensive ones (Monster HTS 2000 and HT Pro 11 PC). I have made a fairly thorough assessment (with my ears and brain, not electronic test equipment) of their impact on my system and have come to the conclusion that after 11:30pm until 3-3:30am (not all nights as sometimes the power never cleans up) it is difficult to tell whether the power conditioner makes an improvement or change at all (I have tried it with and without), so I use it all the time as it does not seem to, on the other hand, deteriorate the sound either. Outside of this narrow window of time the improvement that it offers is very noticeable. The power cord (was on my CD player previously and has now been switched to my new DAC) however makes a very noticeable improvement at all times of the day and night. I have two standard manufacturer's generic cords that I have tried in place of the HT Pro 11 for this test. The results of the tests were the same when done to my CD player only, and most recently to the player/DAC combo. Because of this I will be picking up and upgraded power cord to use on my player (now used as a transport) as well. I assume that the sound will improve when using upgraded PC's on both of my digital front end components. That said, I also assume that if you have a very clean AC source, then a power conditioner (reasonably priced) would offer little improvement, if any. I would not expect this to necessarily hold true with state of the art conditioners such as the PS Audio and others that really do a number on the AC current. Other than being curious, I am also very cheap and do not wish to spend money on items that do not improve the sound quality of my system. I would also like to point out that the differeces that I noted may not be considered to be an actual improvement by others (as this must be left up to personal taste and there are also general trade offs to be considered with any improvement made). In other words, different is not always better on a whole, it is just a balancing act.

The statement "Breakin allow(s) the electrons to align" is technically false. Electrons have no memory. However, Molecules may indeed have dipole moments and may align theselves relative to the EM field. I think the "breakin" period is especially noticeable for cables clad with teflon dielectric material.

I would also start with the conditioner. I good conditioner would improve all the components, even the ones without a replaceable power cord. PS Audio makes some of the best power centers. They are also mucho $$$$$. For a more reasonable price try Vansevers or Chang Lightspeed. I use Vansevers reference grade conditioner and power chords. Very pleased with performance. Cheap power conditioners may limit dynamics.

Yea, I knew is was something small. Molecules are cool, thanks for helping, and also for allowing me feal like a fool! I still would go power cords first.