2. cables
  3. 152345-18277

The Truth About Power Cords and there "Real" Price to Performance

This is a journey through real life experiences from you to everyone that cares to educate themselves. I must admit that I was not a believer in power cords and how they affect sound in your system. I from the camp that believed that the speaker provided 75% of the sound signature then your source then components but never the power cord. Until that magic day I along with another highly acclaimed AudioGoner who I will keep anatomist ran through a few cables in quite a few different systems and was "WOWED" at what I heard. That being said cable I know that I am not the only believer and that is why there are so many power cord/cable companies out there that range from $50 to 20-30 thousand dollars and above. So I like most of you have to scratch my head and ask where do I begin what brand and product and what should i really pay for it?

The purpose of this discussion to get some honest feed back on Price to Performance from you the end user to us here in the community.

Please fire away!


 


128x128blumartini
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
@mikepowellaudio: Interesting marketing technique. However if you are a professional, I’d opine that you need to tone it down a bit. You really think forum members from around the world are going to stop their lives and come to your home in Atlanta just because you are hosting a test?

I get it, you know we won’t, can’t, don’t want to or just have no interest. Here’s an idea...raise your price ten times. There are forum members here who will buy for no other reason than an accessory is outlandishly expensive.
Post removed 
dimora's avatar
dimora
61 posts
 
The power cord doesn’t matter as long as the gauge is correct for your circuit.  
15A circuit = 14AWG
20A circuit = 12AWG
30A circuit = 10AWG

You can use hospital grade outlets if you want a good, solid connection from your cord to the outlet.

Spend your extra money on a power conditioner / re-generator / filter.  Those actually matter and *can* make an audible difference if you have noisy AC power.  If you have coax service (Cable TV) into your system you may have buzzing / ground loops on your sub; fiber optic/Toslink can break that ground loop, as can a nice filter on your coax.

The above information is real-world vs. all the cable voodoo nonsense I see on here.
dimora's avatar
dimora
61 posts
 
Hmmmm I live in Atlanta.  I might be interested, Mike Powell.  Are you talking IEC cords?
atdavid
736 posts
 
Not sure what your correct gauge for the circuit is supposed to convey. I am not arguing one way or the other, I just don't see the relevance. Peak currents on the AC waveform can be higher than average rating to AC waveform modulation at the equipment can happen. Obviously the run breaker box to wall plug is more important as is equipment to equipment ground.  Again, not saying the cord will make a difference, just don't think that statement about gauge and current is relevant.
More to discover