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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
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@toddverrone and  - @initforthemusic  - thank for the feedback - much appreciated.

Todd - I find that the bigger the transformer in a component then the more subtle the improvements

You mono blocks probably has a very large transformer and lots of caps in the power supply. This would provide very good power to the circuits, so the improvements noticed would be less discernible.

Having said that I found the improvements with a power amp to be less about things like bass improvements, dynamics and image - and more about the improvements in the reproduction of minute venue acoustics and the realism the power amp is allowed to conveyconvey

The power supply in the Tube pre-amp probably benefits more from the quality power cable - allowing for the faster response to transient peaks.

Also, the Helix cable is a very low noise cable, but it also ensures the neutral side of the Pre is as close to zero volts as it can be. Without noise on the neutral side of the circuit ensures the best possible reproduction

Guys - I am not surprised by your observations - they are similar to my own, but they confirm that great cables can be applied to both Tube or solid state and provide the same level of improvement

Many Thanks
decibell
69 posts
 
@dynaquest4

dynaquest4 wrote:
"Analog-like liquidity"....really?  That's a new one.  Who makes up this stuff?

I just went thru your responses to a few posts. Did it ever occur to you that you're wasting your time (and others) on Audiogon? 

You have obviously not experienced what impact cables can have in a high resolution system? I feel sorry for you! 

Did you notice, that the earth is not flat ... ?

dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
decibel:

Please, please do not feel sorry for me.  This thread is not about me...it is about power cables.  

Though flattered that you took the time to review my previous posts, your opinion about whether my participation is or is not wasting my time has no place in this discussion. The discussion is not about me...it is about power cables.

I have a point of view...as you do.  Your point of view, right or wrong, is welcome here.  My point of view, right or wrong, should be also.  

The earth is not flat?  Was that comment about power cables?

I'd encourage you to, as we said in the Navy, "Stay focused and on target."


initforthemusic
282 posts
 
@knghifi   You appear to be as mixed-up and muddled up as the King Of Siam and unabletothink. It appears you just read unabletothink's incoherent ramblings and didn't bother to read my original posts of which unabletothink took excerpts from. Always a big,big mistake.

I'll go through it for you slowly so hopefully you can comprehend. My response was to dynaquest4's asking why manufacturer's don't supply upmarket cables with equipment? As I've explained it would be uneconomical and commercial suicide for a manufacturer to do this.

I then gave an example as I'd recently done an A/B with 2 of a manufacturer's CD Players. The initial XLR cable I chose to use sounded really nice on the CD-S8 but not so great on the CD-S7DAC. Now if you bought the CD-S7DAC and had to fork out an extra  $500 or so because the cable was included would you be happy? This was a perfect example of why manufacturer's (that I know of) don't supply upmarket cables.

The "Don't have to spend a kings ransom" quote was in response to the posts quoting near 7k & 13.5k for Power Cables. I am personally using $250 Power Cables on some very high end Active hybrid stats amongst my many sets of Speakers. Also on some big Mono Blocks. Many would be putting mega dollar cables on these, but I'm currently comfortable with these, mind you they compete with Cables costing a lot more. They are a substantial step-up over stock cables. Would the mega dollar cables be an improvement? I would certainly hope so but I'm in no hurry to find out. I have a dozen or so different brands in my 20 odd Power Cables (5 systems). Max. I've spent is $350 on one cable, all are a step-up over stock Power Cables. So my point was you don't have to spend mega dollars to get an improvement.

Somehow unabletothink started an ego-driven delusional rant about himself. Incomprehensible.

There's your lesson knghifi, enjoy.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I'll go through it for you slowly so hopefully you can comprehend. My response was to dynaquest4's asking why manufacturer's don't supply upmarket cables with equipment? As I've explained it would be uneconomical and commercial suicide for a manufacturer to do this.
Manufacturers realize end users will roll cables or tubes so just supply inexpensive for stock.   No matter what they supply for stock, it will be changed.    IMO, nothing to do with economical and commercial suicide.

Probably with exceptions for Shindo, KR Audio 1610 base amps ...

I then gave an example as I'd recently done an A/B with 2 of a manufacturer's CD Players. The initial XLR cable I chose to use sounded really nice on the CD-S8 but not so great on the CD-S7DAC. Now if you bought the CD-S7DAC and had to fork out an extra $500 or so because the cable was included would you be happy? This was a perfect example of why manufacturer's (that I know of) don't supply upmarket cables.
Is it not possible another customer prefers the INITIAL XLR over the $500 cable?  Eye of the beholder!
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