2. cables
  3. 129450-96171

Hearing is believing?........power cables.......

For anyone who is skeptical about the difference a high quality power cord can make in your high quality audio system........try it.......hearing is believing. About 10 years ago when I bought my first "entry level" hifi system (B&K amp/preamp, Canton speakers) my audio advisor dropped off a Tara Labs Prism power cord. He said just try it for a week and if you don't think it makes a difference just return it. I, like most unfamiliar with high quality cables, was skeptical.......how could a cable 1 meter long from the wall to my equipment make a difference? I put it on the power amp and yes I could definitely tell there was a more defined bass and overall clearer soundscape. I'm a musicians, so I figured maybe the "non audiophile" can't hear the difference. So my brother-in-law who is a bricklayer came over and we did a blind listening test. I randomly switched the Tara, sometimes trying to fool him......told him I switched but didn't........he could tell every time I used the Tara! So I was convinced that it was "wishful thinking on my part or particularly sensitive ears. If you don't think a great power cable can make a difference........take the challenge. Try one for a week and see (hear) for yourself!
128x128mikeelzeysguitarstudio
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

shadorne
@geoffkait

"OMG - so you really believe with all that money spent on the highest end gear that you can’t even get a reliable power supply that filters out all mains noise - and therefore a band aid power cord is necessary."

Most likely there’s a Strawman argument in there somewhere. I’m not saying that at all. Do you know what the word sarcastic means? 😀

"If you are correct then most SOTA boutique audio really is pathetic in terms of performance."

Correct about what? Power supplies in high end electronics? I was joking. Wasn’t it obvious?

"Glad I got rid of the gear that did that for me, as I don’t accept poor quality power supply design and I prefer to avoid band aids."

Who told you to buy crappy gear? Calling power cords "band aids" doesn’t change the fact that replacing stock power cords in high end well-designed electronics with better power cords usually improves the sound. That’s equivalent to saying aftermarket fuses are band aids. Hel-loo! It’s also why almost all high end cables are cryogenically treated. Necessity is the Mother of Invention. It’s not really a band aid, it’s just improving the physics and or electronics. I'm not saying it's pig headed to think its all about circuit design and power supply design but it's sure near sighted.


lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,580 posts
 
Different strokes for different folks.
Different power cords usually affect the music we hear.

rodman99999
6,107 posts
 
The OP made the same very reasonable recommendation, to open and close the post, that describes his(and his relative’s) experience. The result: the typical typographical/verbal dysentery, from AudiogoN’s resident, OCD, naysayers. So tedious! My apologies to the OP, who is a fairly new member: Please persevere in your experimentation and grow a thick skin, if you intend to continue posting here. ESPECIALLY when you find something you can actually hear as an improvement in your system. There are some here, that WISH you were deaf!
kdude66
1,200 posts
 
I totally agree with Rodman,if you hear a diff. and like it go with it.

I have personally found a diff. for the positive using a better pwr cable than a stock cord.It has never been a huge profound night and day difference but is enough for me to stay with the change.

I would'nt get caught up into having to have the latest and greatest,stay within a decent budget for you.

Kenny.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
rodman - it's fine for him to listen to different products (as long as he can return them) but he needs to be very careful to avoid a placebo effect and buying a "look" not a sound
More to discover