@malatu - Cables are a very complex area to delve into and an area I have been investigating for many years.
I have found that the "amount" of improvement from power cords is dependent on the components. i.e. The better the power supply in the component the degree of improvement is less noticeable.
e.g. my integrated amp has a very good power supply, so using a third part power cord on it would not yield the same level of improvement as using that same power cord on my streamer that has a less capable power supply.
Having said that - for the best "bang for the buck you can get "similar levels" of improvement by putting an extremely good ($$$) power cord on the amp and a lessor ($$) power cable on the streamer.
Putting an extremely good power cable on ALL components is a "safe" approach, but can be a waste of your budget - i.e. unless you have lots of spare cash lying around burning a hole in your pocket :-)
As to which of the three cable types provide the best bang for the buck I have found the following...
- interconnects allow your components to get the signal to the amp - so good IC’s are imperative and I have found to be one of the most noticeable upgrades.
- speaker cables get the signal to the speaker - I found using the right cables provided the biggest improvement in sound
- power cables are perhaps the most daunting of the three, because gear tends to respond very differently with each cable/brand/component
I have spent more time on cables than I care to admit, but for me, now they are the most important "component" in my system - even my very affordable streamer performs way above it’s "snack bracket" when connected with good cables.
Good power cables on subs also provide considerable benefits because it allows the amp to exert more control over the speaker.
The only commercially available cables I recommend these days are...
- NORDOST
- KLE Innovations
They provide similar "levels" of very noticeable performance improvement. But unfortunately they are at the upper end of the cable price range. Having said that, once purchased, you may never need to replace them.
If you are into "serious DIY", by that I mean making the actual wire, not just buying bulk cable, I can recommend a Helix Design that I use throughout my system. to great effect.
If you just want to build you own cables using good a good bulk cable and connectors - look at the DH Labs bulk wire and use Sonar Quest silver plated connectors (Ebay). They will outperform some of the name brand cables for a least amount of $$$.
The problem with DIY power cables is - you really should be aware of the electrical codes in your area and adhere to them, otherwise insurance coverage could become an issue.
DO NOT ever use solid core wire for component power cables since it is not recommended by many electrical codes due to fatigue failures (i.e. breaking).
One last point - replace the wall outlets with Pass and Seymour MRI grade outlets - they clamp like a vice and do not contain magnetic materials
Hope that helps and apologies for the long post - Steve
I have found that the "amount" of improvement from power cords is dependent on the components. i.e. The better the power supply in the component the degree of improvement is less noticeable.
e.g. my integrated amp has a very good power supply, so using a third part power cord on it would not yield the same level of improvement as using that same power cord on my streamer that has a less capable power supply.
Having said that - for the best "bang for the buck you can get "similar levels" of improvement by putting an extremely good ($$$) power cord on the amp and a lessor ($$) power cable on the streamer.
Putting an extremely good power cable on ALL components is a "safe" approach, but can be a waste of your budget - i.e. unless you have lots of spare cash lying around burning a hole in your pocket :-)
As to which of the three cable types provide the best bang for the buck I have found the following...
- interconnects allow your components to get the signal to the amp - so good IC’s are imperative and I have found to be one of the most noticeable upgrades.
- speaker cables get the signal to the speaker - I found using the right cables provided the biggest improvement in sound
- power cables are perhaps the most daunting of the three, because gear tends to respond very differently with each cable/brand/component
I have spent more time on cables than I care to admit, but for me, now they are the most important "component" in my system - even my very affordable streamer performs way above it’s "snack bracket" when connected with good cables.
Good power cables on subs also provide considerable benefits because it allows the amp to exert more control over the speaker.
The only commercially available cables I recommend these days are...
- NORDOST
- KLE Innovations
They provide similar "levels" of very noticeable performance improvement. But unfortunately they are at the upper end of the cable price range. Having said that, once purchased, you may never need to replace them.
If you are into "serious DIY", by that I mean making the actual wire, not just buying bulk cable, I can recommend a Helix Design that I use throughout my system. to great effect.
If you just want to build you own cables using good a good bulk cable and connectors - look at the DH Labs bulk wire and use Sonar Quest silver plated connectors (Ebay). They will outperform some of the name brand cables for a least amount of $$$.
The problem with DIY power cables is - you really should be aware of the electrical codes in your area and adhere to them, otherwise insurance coverage could become an issue.
DO NOT ever use solid core wire for component power cables since it is not recommended by many electrical codes due to fatigue failures (i.e. breaking).
One last point - replace the wall outlets with Pass and Seymour MRI grade outlets - they clamp like a vice and do not contain magnetic materials
Hope that helps and apologies for the long post - Steve