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... 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
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
The more you spend on wires, the greater the placebo effect.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,838 posts
 
Substitute the word "more" with "less" and then it would make sense.
It's the audio equivalent of The Fox and the Sour Grapes.

All the best,
Nonoise
phd
1,314 posts
 
We can leave the scientific measurements to the experts but what we do know is that power cords can and do have a big impact on sound whether it's negative or positive Sometimes with power cord experimentation you can come up with a most positive outcome as if you went out and spent thousands of dollars upgrading your components. Other times certain power cords could possibly degrade the sound. I think it falls back on that cabling is system dependent.
Decibell your right, building your own power cords can be fun and save you money!
djones51
4,947 posts
 
what we do know is that power cords can and do have a big impact on sound 
We know nothing of the sort. IF power cords affect sound then whatever causes this is measurable. There is no escaping this , this is actually something we do know. 
genez
220 posts
 
There is only one explanation to be given until someone can figure out what is to be measured for...   They change the sound.  Depending on your system it will determine how much they can improve the sound.  Some systems - no difference.  Other systems - a great difference can be detected from cord to cord.

But this stands true.  They change the sound in any system with good transparency.
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