Power cord choice?

turnbowm

If a power conditioner has a negative effect on sound. then it’s not a GOOD one.

I think the real world is not so simple, even if your claim is made in ALLCAPS. For example, a system’s sound can be influenced by the exact location of the power conditioner relative to the other components, and it’s also possible that removing distortion may be heard as a loss of detail, even if the the signal is actually more accurate. Describing a sound as a "negative effect" is really subjective.

An example would be a series-mode surge suppression/conditioner that doesn’t use Power Factor (energy reserve) technology. The result would be reduced dynamics and bass impact due to dynamic current-starving of a power amp.

That’s nonsense.

For one thing, in residential environments, electric utilities are very good at keeping PF very close to 1, which is the ideal. (You can easily measure this for yourself to confirm.) Even if the PF is slightly negative, you’re still likely to be able to pull 20A from a 20A line. PF is much more likely to be a problem in commercial areas where you have motors with inductive loads.

Far more likely to be a power issue in residential environments is not PF, but the utility’s ability to deliver current on demand. For example, while you may have a 200A panel at your electric service entrance, that’s no assurance at all that the utility can actually deliver 200A to you. A prime benefit of power conditioners with energy reserves is ensuring power on demand; PF is only part of it.

@raysmtb1  Thanks for that video link.  I actually watched the entire 30 minutes.  Although it pertained to audio signals being passed through various wires, I assume the results can be attached to PCs as well.  I recently took the plunge and bought a $500 custom coaxial cable.  In part based on all the postings on this site telling me there will be a big difference in sound, and partly on a long comparison of cables in Absolute Sound magazine.  The reviewer tested 50+ cables and made his top three recommendations.  In the review of the cable I choose, he claimed "the music danced like fire from the speakers".  Well I ask you, who doesn't want that kind of result when you change out a cable.  So off with the $25 coaxial and on with the $500 one.  The difference in sound?  Not a cintella of audible difference.  Switched the cables back and forth.  Identical results.  And not just to me.  To my wife and a few friends that have braved Covid to come over and listen.  I'm still using the expensive cable because maybe the fire is there and I just need time to hear it.  Sure that's it.  I'll hear it later.  It's only been a couple of months.  Maybe the cables not burned in yet. Yeah, that's the ticket.    

bigtwin

... So off with the $25 coaxial and on with the $500 one. The difference in sound? Not a cintella of audible difference ...

It would be a mistake to assume that the results you obtained with one simple experiment are universal.

cleeds3,918 posts07-25-2021 8:57amturnbowm

An example would be a series-mode surge suppression/conditioner that doesn’t use Power Factor (energy reserve) technology. The result would be reduced dynamics and bass impact due to dynamic current-starving of a power amp.

"That’s nonsense."

Furman uses the term "Power Factor" while Audioquest calls it "Power Correction." In both cases, energy storage is provided by large capacitors that can satisfy the dynamic current demands of power amps. Without the caps, the very component (inductor) that limits the surge current also limits the dynamic current that is available to the amp. Simply put, an inductor opposes changes in current flow and that presents a problem for power amps.

turnbowm

Furman uses the term "Power Factor" while Audioquest calls it "Power Correction."

I think you’re spending a little too much time reading manufacturer’s brochures and not enough time understanding what’s going on. Audioquest can use whatever marketing lingo it likes, but "Power Factor" is the accepted and proper term for describing the relative phase between voltage and current, which in residential environments is typically 1 or very, very close to it.

... energy storage is provided by large capacitors that can satisfy the dynamic current demands of power amps ...

Yes, that’s what capacitors do.

Without the caps, the very component (inductor) that limits the surge current also limits the dynamic current that is available to the amp.

If you think all power conditioners rely on inductors that compromise PF, you’re mistaken. You're also mistaken if you isolate PF as the most critical factor in delivering full power.