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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!


 


128x128blumartini
audiozenology
362 posts
 
Given the lack of any consensus on best, one I think can assume there is no best, but perhaps best for a given situation, or best to suit a preference whatever that may be.


Unfairlane, can you explain your reasoning for why only single core would not reduce an amps performance? Some things to keep in mind:
  • Transformers in most amplifiers are of fairly low bandwidth
  • Many designers use inductive chokes to smooth the delivery of current to the capacitor bank (further reduces bandwidth)
  • Stranded wire will exhibit less high frequency loss
unfairlane's avatar
unfairlane
140 posts
 
From a reader:

"  Unfairlane, can you explain your reasoning for why only single core would not reduce an amps performance? "

Yeah, years of experience
unfairlane's avatar
unfairlane
140 posts
 
Btw,  I hope your "high frequense loss" is meant as a joke
zug
42 posts
 
I’m not as savvy as some here about electricity (such as atdavid) but a few things. One, a reviewer once suggested that you can often improve by defeating the ground of any power cord. In other words, use one of those cheater plugs or yank out the ground prong. It works, I can testify I’ve compared many times with different components -- and in different houses -- and the ground is usually dirty. Maybe there are other ways to "clean it up" but I don’t know. (Although yes, you are taking a chance with shocks, but so far I’ve never gotten one)
The other thing is a question -- how can a power cord even constructed of pure copper or whatever, improve your sound when all the wiring in your wall is just ’average copper’? I know the cords can improve, I just don’t get how that could work. It makes some sense to me if you start with a power regenerator such as a PS Audio
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cleeds
5,970 posts
 
zug
... you can often improve by defeating the ground of any power cord. In other words, use one of those cheater plugs or yank out the ground prong. It works ...  yes, you are taking a chance with shocks ...
Defeating a power cord ground can be a useful diagnostic tool to troubleshoot ground loops, but it's not a solution. If your system sounds better with the ground defeated, the solution is to get all the grounds at the same potential.
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