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Power Cords

I currently have Wireworld Silver Electra power cords with upgraded Platinum plugs. I had two 1M Wireworld Platinum power cords, but rearranged my system and required longer cords. Yesterday I borrowed two Shunyata Sigma NR power cords. On the first note my wife softly said, "that sounds better". She said it was clearer. I listened for a couple hours, changing the power cords a couple of times. In my system and to my ears this is my conclusion:
The Sigma's are cleaner, definitely has more bass, a dead silent and completely black background. The Wireworld cords are more detailed, with a wider soundstage and better spacing/separation of instruments. All things considered I'll keep my Wireworld, but I'm curious to listen to other power cords.
After inserting the Sigma's I just don't understand how anyone that listened to different power cords could conclude that they can't hear a difference. There is a difference, but like any other component the individual has to decide if the change is worth it. $6K for two power cords is relatively expensive. Expensive, but oddly maybe a good value? In my system there was a definite improvement with better bass impact and articulation. Would spending $6K or just changing amplifiers yield similar results? As with most components there are trade-offs...is there a power cord out there that has the benefits of the Sigma's and Wireworld Silver Electra's? If so, at what cost?  
ricred1
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
608 posts
 
Power cords need to do two thing - supply enough current to th component and not pick up any noise/hash while doing that.

I've always thought that the component that shows the most effect from different power cords is the power amp, and that how much effect is shown seems to depend on the storage capacity of the amp. 

Those with modest power supply/reservoir capacitor capacity (talking about linear regulated power supplies here) are more affected by power cords than those with well regulated 'stiff' amps with plenty of supply capacitance. One of my class A amps seems to take no notice of what is supplying it - you can switch it off and it will play for about 10 seconds before there is any degradation of sound (and another 10 secs. until the sound ceases).

I used a tube power amp with more modest power supply to listen to power cords and found little correlation to price vs. sound quality.  My advice is to never buy power cords based on cost or reputation - audition them in your system to see if they make a bit of difference.

I have hard home made cords with welding cable sized conductors and hospital grade ends sound better than $1,000 'audiophile' cords.
shakira
149 posts
 
Try Mojo Audio power cords.
ggc
178 posts
 
Hi ricred1,
Power is the pathway to cleaner, more dynamic sound on every level. Its up to each person to decide how committed they are and if  the juice is worth the squeeze.

With a lot of Patients and a little luck I have upgraded my power chords and delivery with mid level products from these companies. I look at it as an investment in having the right tools to replicate the music I enjoy listening to . I will never need to upgrade, ( but would most definitely want to if I won Lotto) I happen to love my kids more, which is why I went mid level than all out.  

Check these guys out for power cords. 

Stage 3 Concepts - The Leviathan 
http://www.stage3concepts.com/
Sold exclusively by http://www.aaudioimports.com

For Power Distribution:
HB Cable Design - Power Slave
www.hb-cable-design.com/

captainstereo
1 posts
 
So nice to read through forum posts where most posters believe in good power cords and believe in the difference they make. I have always believed that if something makes your system sound better, then there is a reason. And that reason is not a cynical "I'm being conned" rationale or a placebo affect. Like most products, when you use better stuff, better stuff happens. I myself am a fan of Transparent Audio. I once did a comparison with another audio buddy comparing comparable Transparent to Shunyata. At first listen, we thought maybe the Shunyata had the edge. There was a fun factor to it that was undeniable. Over a few days, we found that Transparent lived up to its name whereas to our ears the Shunyata had a coloration to it, albeit a pleasant one. But that coloration served some music well and others not so much. It was that revelation that demonstrated Transparent's effectiveness. And with that revelation, that first piece we listened to, when we listened again, we heard the coloration for what it was and appreciated what the Transparent DIDN'T add. But both were fantastic and both wildly better than the stock cords we replaced. Power cords are the real deal!!!
high-amp
508 posts
 
Check out Black Sand Cables at: www.highampdistribution.com
Great cable for a great price.
Check our Steve Hoffman's review: 
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/its-done-power-cord-shoot-out-22-power-cords-reviewed.103597/

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