... abit confused: how does a power cord affect the presentation of sound...


Hello to all...

I was shifting around components in my system, trying to squeeze out better controlled bass, more definition within the soundstage, and better define the "voice/midrange" presentation...

I presently have a tube preamp (hardwired with a wall wart) into an HT Receiver; source is a Marantz SA-8001 CD Player

Swapped out a Yamaha HTR -5550 (hardwired) for a Parasound HCA-750A (which needs a power cord).

CD Player is powered with a PS Audio Statement SC power cord, so I went in my closet and pulled out another PS AUDIO Statement SC power cord, hooked it up and expect to give it at least 5 days continuous re-break-in before serious listening.

Took a minute to lookup reviews about this power cord - and I read some rather confusing reviews: some luved 'um, some liked 'um, but some thought them " ...slow... " (?), and giving a veiled presentation...

I'm gonna listen and decide myself - but I'm abit confused: how does a power cord affect the presentation of sound - I know that interconnects and speaker cables would/could/Do affect sound presentation - but how could a power cord?

Explanation/thoughts please...
insearchofprat
Power cords:

Some Audio components have a poor AC line filtering. It’s a shame that an expensive component is so, but it is what it is.
A good line filter would do most of the job, the components went short of doing.
The power cord is practically supplies power to a Power Supply (PS). this is a unit, that rectify the AC, filter it (by capacitance) and mostly regulates it too.
The internal circuitry, supplied by DC power and if the power supply is good, the DC is stable and clean.

It would be a waste of money to invest in an expensive power cable.

I’ll take it to the opposite direction:

If you take one of those extra expensive and recommended power cable and connect it to your kitchen’s cattle, boil some water, and make a cup of tea - would it taste any different from the original $ 1.50 power cable?


unison77,

Your original system either came with an extremely bad cord in the first place or you are experiencing what is known as the "placebo effect".


Expectation Bias.

i witness a friend of mine make a fool of himself when I took his over prices Power Cord to a Hifi meet-up.    JPS Allumiti or something at around £6k.

The magic chord was switched back & forth numerous times against a bog standard kettle lead.   Only the chap behind the kit knew which was connected.

No one in the room could hear a difference, aside from my pal.   When he exclaimed “Oh come on that’s night & day...”.  It was revealed the £3 kettle lead was in...


My pal learned nothing from that day.   A fool & his money are easily parted.
Hi,
they do affect the power supply of a component, wire and plug quality has different sonic characteristics, EMI control is not the same in different powercords connected to a component.
My very limited budget prevents me from believing in any of the PC or interconnect bull about SQ improvement. I do enjoy reading all the opinions though and even the scientific ones which are fairly indisputable but does the science reach the eardrums?