Let's talk power cords

How so, toddverrone? Explain it so I'll understand it.

I am a believer in the ability of power cords to improve the sound over stock, from personal experience.  However, like most "improvements" in sound, it is really incremental, not "that new power cord blows me away." Case in point:  I switched out the stock cord for an Audience Power Chord on my Plinius SA100 Mk. III power amp.  The change made a noticeable improvement in the tightness of the bass.  I was very happy with the change in sound and the Audience PowerChord in particular.  Did it sound like a new system?  No.  Was it an improvement? Definitely.  Is a noticeable improvement  -- let's call it 10% -- worth $1500? Doubtful.  But $400 -- sure.  So it ultimately comes down to just how much you want to spend to chase that improvement on the margin.  Several times I have dreamed of getting some expensive preamp or power amp based on hype and reviews, only to put it in the system and find that while there appeared to be an improvement in the sound, it was not worth the huge outlay to get that incremental change.

I think that in general, fixing bad room acoustics will get you significantly more bang for your buck than expensive cables, followed by speaker placement, new speakers, new power amp and new preamp.  Doing the cable dance is the incremental fine tuning of a system that you are already happy with.  Luckily, since I will never, ever purchase a $20,000 cable of any type, nor do I know anyone nearby who would, I will be kept blissfully ignorant of whether such a cable will "blow me away."  :)

A difference for sure but that does not translate directly to an improvement.  Change can generate an heightened sense of awareness whereby the change is perceived as an improvement.  Listening for a period of weeks or months and then switching back to the original may lead to a different conclusion.

 I have tried several aftermarket cords that resulted in a less desirable performance than the standard cord.  I have one brand cord that works best with only one of my amps.  I have another that works great on my other two amps.  Then I have another brand that I find better than stock in every application but not the best in every application.

My reference system uses all stock cords because it sounds fine that way.  This system is not my main system but I do use it as a reference to assess changes I make to my main system.

So, if you're happy with sound you have keep on enjoying.   However, if you have that nagging feeling that it could be just a little bit better, welcome to another realm of exploration.

I hate this topic because it is one that is so contentious but I agree with the gentleman who said that his brain says that there should not be a difference, and yet his ears tell him otherwise. And add to that even my wife and daughter hear differences and they are the last people who would comment on anything related to my audio system. So, yes, I believe they is a difference, and the Black Sands Audio Violet Mk.II is my all time favorite, and I have auditioned many. Trolls can keep their comments to themselves for I have read or heard them all. I also believe that tubes make a difference. That is my belief after 22 years in this hobby (obsession?) and I am sticking to it...

Thanks! for sharing- zkidd
what other gear, cabling, is in your system? Are you using all Black Sands
Violet Mk. II power cords all around?
Happy Listening!