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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. 
mkgus
bigkidz
3,444 posts
 
Thanks people!  My question is why are the cables cost more than some components.  I am not a newbie just was a question for pondering.  I actually build my own components (complete line will be out in 2019).  I also understand that a manufacturer can offer a product at what they think the market will pay for.  I feel that a better/different component will make a bigger change that a cable can.

IMO I hear what cables and cords do in a system.  How much of a percentage change is another story compared to swapping out a resistor or capacitor in a component.  I also see that many of us change gear and I wonder if the cable or cord used on a component works just as well as the next component someone changes.  For me, I can solder in a cap or resistor in any component and see what it does for little cost.  I guess most components don't really use the best parts either so what the hell am I saying to myself here?

I have stated this in many threads that if you can use a soldering device, most of the time you wouldn't look for a cable or cord first to tune in your system.  It isn't really that hard to make component parts changes.  It is actually very simple.  Almost as easy aw changing a tube.  Large power supply caps, output resistors, are easy swaps.

Anyway, Happy Listening.


boxer12
8,656 posts
 
prof say's:
"Then there are those of us who have "heard" obvious differences, but through more careful testing, realized it was our imagination.Of course, we are the fallible ones; the infallible don't even have to test themselves ;-)"

And...

"The problem is that the technical claims tend to be marketed to audiophiles who typically don't have the technical know-how to vet the claims. They get that cool sounding technical story and think "wow, that sounds convincing, sure looks like they know what they are talking about!"   Then of course they "hear" the effects."

In the immortal words of Ronald Reagan to Jimmy Carter in 1980 during one of the presidential debates:

"There he goes again"

Merry Christmas ;-)
erik_squires
16,895 posts
 
Thanks people! My question is why are the cables cost more than some components. I am not a newbie just was a question for pondering. I actually build my own components (complete line will be out in 2019).

And that is the crux of the matter for me. The cost/benefit ratio is just not there unless you DIY. For the money, you would be better off buying multiple low-end Furman power conditioners and isolating your equipment into groups.

Best,
E


stuff_jones
65 posts
 
It seems strange to ask a question and request that the full range of answers not be given. 
vair68robert
647 posts
 

I can't believe that insulting those who have heard differences between power cords or
by saying that it's our imagination because we spent money therefore 
it must be better makes for intelligent conversation .

"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. "

from mkgus's original post !

Happy Holidays



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