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Why Power Cables Affect Sound

I just bought a new CD player and was underwhelmed with it compared to my cheaper, lower quality CD player. That’s when it hit me that my cheaper CD player is using an upgraded power cable. When I put an upgraded power cable on my new CD player, the sound was instantly transformed: the treble was tamed, the music was more dynamic and lifelike, and overall more musical. 

This got me thinking as to how in the world a power cable can affect sound. I want to hear all of your ideas. Here’s one of my ideas:

I have heard from many sources that a good power cable is made of multiple gauge conductors from large gauge to small gauge. The electrons in a power cable are like a train with each electron acting as a train car. When a treble note is played, for example, the small gauge wires can react quickly because that “train” has much less mass than a large gauge conductor. If you only had one large gauge conductor, you would need to accelerate a very large train for a small, quick treble note, and this leads to poor dynamics. A similar analogy might be water in a pipe. A small pipe can react much quicker to higher frequencies than a large pipe due to the decreased mass/momentum of the water in the pipe. 

That’s one of my ideas. Now I want to hear your thoughts and have a general discussion of why power cables matter. 

If you don’t think power cables matter at all, please refrain from derailing the conversation with antagonism. There a time and place for that but not in this thread please. 
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jafreeman's avatar
jafreeman
689 posts
 
Thank you, Kaarmstrong, for your real-world findings. Others would do well to listen and learn from you. That’s a good way to advance one's system development.


As for you, xyobgyn, just forget trying to understand ARC’s position on and use of quality AC cords and interconnections.  I have faithfully represented their views, but you just won't leave it alone.  You are unteachable, at least by me. See the following: https://www.facebook.com/audioresearchcorp/photos/a.1245658155506530/1880198268719179/?type=3&ei...
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
In addition to ARC (a very well respected company BTW), Audio Alchemy's also states this in their manual;

You will get the best and most reliable performance from the DDP-1 by using high quality audio cables. We recommend against using the "freebie" cables included with blue-ray players, CD players, etc.

I don't recall if they included cables with their equipment or not. If they did, it's still in plastic in the box it was shipped in.  


jafreeman's avatar
jafreeman
689 posts
 
Even though this thread has veered wildly from the original question, the evidence for the validity of using high-quality AC cords is overwhelming.  That ARC's most longstanding employee, who listens to every piece that leaves the factory--including repairs-- uses high-end AC cords to aid in product development should impress both the most hardened doubter and the seeker of advice and guidance.  As a student of the hobby, I visit these forums to learn from others, and that's all any novice needs to do to advance their system from good to great.  

Merry Christmas to all!  
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