Blind Power Cord Test & results

Hello,

I have to believe that Albert's long-term-listening procedure is what is needed because I went back and forth last week between NBS Statement and PS Audio Statement Extreme power cords on a pair of CAT JL-3 Signature amps. There is a HUGE difference in retail cost of these two products.

Each time I thought there was a little more resolution with the NBS in the decay of cymbols, but switching back to the PS Audio and the decay was so natural as well. There was no discernible tonal differences and no other attributes caught my attention as have sonic differences.

Either the CAT amps don't benefit from this due to their design or I just need to listen with one set of cords for a week and try another in a week or so. And then I will try this whole process again with the power cords on a pair of recently acquired Soundlab A1s against the stock power cords.

Often we want "better" products to bring on improvements but if we can not hear such differences for whatever reason, then Albert said it best, "forget about it".

John

We love debating many topics here:

- power cords
- interconnects
- vinyl vs digital
- tube vs solid state

If interested, one can simply conduct an experiment and observe the results for themselves. I speculate that some will hear benefits and others won't. If you do not hear any difference, sleep well with the knowledge that you have first hand experience and saved some money. If you hear a difference, sleep well knowing that when you purchase a new power cord, you have first hand knowledge of the benefits. In either case, why care about what someone else says? You have your own experience to move beyond the bickering.

Personally, I have difficulty when I do not understand why something works. I did my own experiment with a power cord and observed substantial benefits in dynamics and LF response. But darn it, I don't understand why the cord makes a difference!

Here is a link to my write-up:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1092099698&read&keyw&zzdominus

QUOTESorry for my rant here, but you guys kill me with the lack of links. The directions on how to post a link is found directly under the data input area and is labeled blah, blah, blaQUOTE

I know.....cut and paste is just soooo hard and soooo beneath us audio snobs!

Albertporter...I don't want to get mixed up with the power cord thing, but perhaps you could explain why you think (pronounce actually) that, in general, a long term listening comparison is better than a quick A/B. In my experience long term comparisons become very subjective, so that it is easy to "hear" differences that don't really exist.

I agree that long term listening is the best way to determine if you really like the sound, but, to detect changes, I think that the quick A/B is best.

For my ears there is a very audible difference in power cords. At least from the ones I've heard for long periods of time. I do not understand the data Sean grooves on, but I know it is significant to him as well as other audiophools. For me, it always comes down to my tympanics. I trust them and they never steer me wrong. I also agreee with Albert. Short listening experiences (at least for me, depending of course on what I'm listening to) are poor justification to come to a sound conclusion. Longer listening periods are the deal. What sounds wonderful to me at first, over the longer audio haul, does not always hold up, especially after listening to oodles of music. I heard the differences immediately when I upgraded my ICs and power cords, but those differences may not have held up after longer listening. In this case, they did. It is hard not to be influenced by ads, other audiophools, and the stereo rags. Over time, however, the ole ears will hear the truth. peace, warren