This morning I installed the Pangea AC-14XL power cord to my CDT6000 Transport. (No other changes were made)
Yesterday I spent 2 hours+ listening to YouTube guys explain why power cords do not affect the sound of your stereo. I did everything I could to convince myself that they were probably right. Why should the last meter or 2 make a difference was their point. Again, I have dedicated 20amp AC to all of my equipment. 1 for each amp and 1 for digital. (VTL MB300 Deluxe w/6550 tubes.) Before calling it a night I listened to Stanley Clark's "I wanna play for you" (All but last track) I know this CD well. I am not a big funk guy but there's just something about Stanley. Back to this morning....I put on Shawn Colvin to listen to a few tracks and warm up the tubes. I noticed something immediately and after 3 songs went back to Stanley. Started with track 2 and then jumped to "I wanna play for you" and ended with track 12.
What did I hear or not hear because of the change in AC cable? 1. The midrange seemed more tame. It was not so over powering or maybe it was some of the "in the back of the stage " sounds moved forward. 2. The cymbals were a little stronger and upper mid not quite as harsh. (Maggie 3.7) 3. There was a clarity on the overall presentation. 4. Bass was different....it seemed to have a bit more fullness and length. Not that it was not as tight, but just more defined to the end of the note struck. Maybe even tighter, though.
On to Elton John's "Tumbleweed Connection ( MFSL print) Track 2 "Come down in time" Here there is a stand up bass and Oboe?. I also listened to "love song" and "Talking old soldiers". What I noticed was a clarity between instruments. Elton's voice was more natural. The piano sang.
Now on to one of my favorite CDs. Zero 7...track 3 "Destiny" More separation and air around the 2 female voices. Then onto "This world" or "End theme" The drummer's snare work became more forward. I think that was an observation on all listening....instruments that seemed way back on the stage moved forward some and became more involved in the presentation.
As I type I am listening to Chris Whitley "Living with the law". Again, there is an edginess gone in the upper mids and the overall presentation is "calmer"? more pleasant? I have been quite happy with my system and still am....just a little more than yesterday.
Was it some great stark reveal to change the cable? I would say yes in a way. I hear more detail and instrument/voices have a new air or openness about them. The stage is not as deep or is it just that those "way back there sounds" a little more pronounced or detailed?
Conclusion: The power cable changed what I heard in a way that ties the presentation together a bit more. By the way Chris Whitley sounds phenomenal this morning...dang!
The cable exudes quality the minute it touches your hand. Extremely well put together. It has the grip the minute it is inserted into the Transport and receptacle. It's aesthetics is just that...beautiful. $129.95 for 1 meter on sale at Audio Advisory. They deserve the plug.
I don't see the need to spend more and I have huge Transparent Audio power cords feeding the amplifiers.
Again, I went into this with eyes open and did not expect any huge revelation. I receive a decent improvement in SQ. Enough to state it here.
An electrical engineer on how power cables can impact sound quality
Sharing an fascinating discussion of how the design of power cables can impact sound quality of an audio system from an electrical engineer that does analog design for audio equipment.
The HiFi Podcast with Darren and Duncan / Radio Frequency: The 800MHz Gorilla
The discussion of how power cables can impact sound quality starts at 80 minutes into the podcast
From the Podcast:
"If you have an engineering degree and you’re hearing this and you’re shaking your head and you’re saying this is nonsense, my response to you is that you’re logical. Based on what you have learned, I completely understand your response, but unfortunately, the way that power cables operate is not the way that we were taught in electrical engineering necessarily."
"Power cables were always thought of as series devices. If we add this 2 meter power cable to 2 miles of powerline, why does this 2 meter power cable make a difference?"
An intro into the theory behind why power cables work from the podcast:
"The power cable is not necessarily a series element of a system. The parallel elements [of a power cable] and way they interact with RF in the room in a common mode sense to ground is incredibly important." [Meaning in parallel to ground]
My paraphrase of the rest of the discussion. They get into far more detail: The configuration and materials used in a power cable matter because they affect a cable’s capacitance which in turn changes the cable’s impedance. Most importantly, the change in impedance impacts electrical signal differently across the frequency spectrum.
Two ways to get more details on this:
- Listen to the podcast starting at 80 minutes into the podcast. The discussion of how a cable's design impacts its ability to shunt RF to ground starts right there.
- Send a question to the hosts of The Hi Fi Podcast. You can find their email on their website.
Credentials of the creators of The Hi Fi Podcast:
Darren:
Darren is the designer of many products for Boulder’s PS Audio brand, most recently known for Stereophile’s choice as the 2020 “Analog Component of the Year,” the PS Audio Stellar Phono preamplifier, and the incredibly well-reviewed new Stellar M1200 tube hybrid mono amplifiers.
With a career as an analog and digital circuit designer spanning two countries and several of the most well-known brands, Darren brings much experience to the table. He earned his EE and worked for both Bowers & Wilkins and Classe Audio before coming to Colorado, and also, before turning 30.
He is the designer of the PS Audio Stellar Phono phono preamp
Duncan:
Duncan has recorded 150+ bands, has published 450+ articles, columns and blogs and is an experienced DIYer when it comes to audio equipment and speakers. He met Darren when working as the Retail Sales Manager of Boulder’s PS Audio, and the two collaborated on an audiophile recording and concert series called “Invisible Audience,” not to mention the weekly hikes in the mountains. He is a mastering engineer, cable designer and musician, avid fly fisherman, bike polo enthusiast, husband and dad in his “free time.”
But what truly gives him a useful perspective for the podcast is his day job as a testing technician for the world’s largest online re-seller of high end audio, The Music Room. Over years in this role, he has listened to and evaluated thousands of the finest products from all over the industry and throughout high end audio’s extensive history.
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I personally feel like the uber-expensive cables are pretty foolish and exist only for those with more money than sense, but if you like 'em and can afford 'em, knock yourself out. BUT, I do like to buy reasonably priced quality cables. Power and speaker cables are so easy to make, and it's a fun project. I buy in bulk the two top offerings of power cables from DH Labs, depending on the current demands of the component, along with Wattgate terminations. They look and sound great and I'm thoroughly satisfied. Plenty of other things to worry about. |
I do not think that they are running that 128 or 72V on the power cable side though. |
You raised an interesting point. For many looks are crucial. The system needs to look as good as it sounds.
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- 128 posts total