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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!


 


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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Vinylguy2016
As an example, I am the proud owner of a highly coveted Marantz Model 7 tube preamplifier, which was originally fitted by Marantz with a heavy, but otherwise standard power cable. I cannot imagine how the impeccable performance of this unit could possibly be degraded by the absence of a "high end" power cord.  

>>>>Define impeccable performance.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
+1 vinylguy2016! You are indeed a lucky fellow to own a Marantz 7! A true classic! 
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cleeds
5,971 posts
 
vinylguy2016
As a mature engineer, vintage component lover, and a recent member of Audiogon - I am very skeptical about the actual benefits of the host of fancy, expensive power and speaker cords out there ... Don’t we need more hard "scientific" data explaining what actually makes these "fancy" cables sound "better"? I personally, will stick by the recommendations of Mr. Smith and Mr. Sequerra!
A great many audiophiles rely on their own listening tests to make decisions about things such as cables, so I don’t think "we" require more scientific data. Of course it’s fine if your preference is to review data before listening.

Have you ever auditioned what you call "fancy" cables? You’d be a good test subject; because of your skepticism, you wouldn’t suffer from positive confirmation bias.

Many adopters of better cables started as a skeptic, just like yourself.
jperry
2,453 posts
 
@vinylguy2016

The Marantz 7 while a classic, isn't the best sounding preamp out there IMO.

How could you possibly know whether a different power cord would improve or degrade it if you have not heard it.
turnbowm
353 posts
 
vinylguy2016,

Being an engineer (EE) with 30+ years of experience in the industry, I understand where you're coming from. During listening tests of audio cables (speaker & interconnects), however, I found audible differences which can be explained by examination of material (conductor & insulator) properties and design differences (coaxial, twisted pair, etc.).

In the case of power cables, however, I have yet to find discernible differences between audiophile PCs and generic ones of equivalent gauge. IMHO, there is no benefit in using expensive, after-market PCs on equipment with properly designed power supplies. I believe that Bryston and Pass Labs are of the same opinion.
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