Power Cables and Wall Sockets

@clearthinker

Also. I have not played with the power cord for my turntable. My first reaction to changing power cords to a turntable is “how could that help”… but I know the only way to find out is try it. I have some other things I want to do to my system before fiddling with that.

About perceptions being psychological. They can be, mine are not. I am sure some folks are prone if new to the pursuit and inexperienced or overly emotional. I am very familiar with all the studies on preconditioning… etc.. my primary field of study outside of work has been metaphysics and epistemology… which has led to a study of consciousness and finally cognitive and developmental psychology… which oddly enough, in which my partner of 36 years has a Masters and PhD.

Anyway. I have spent many hundreds of hours observing and “measuring” the differences of different cables, interconnects, and cords. About twenty years ago I developed measures… different dimensions of how they effected sound… like tonal balance, micro details etc. I used a particular brand and model as a standard. Then rated them on scales of 1 to 10. Anyway… I really got in to it. I could come back months later an rate and hear exactly the same differences. Then occasionally some combination of equipment and cable or interconnect will have a huge effect. Anyway…. I can go on and on. If you don’t truly know your system and have not had a lot of experience and buy something well reviewed.. the confirmation bias and other bias’ can come into it. But, if you spend the time and are analytical you can easily dig below that level and make real comparisons of the actual sonic effects.

Please ignore those offering the best theoretical advice they know - w/o having heard the difference a genuinely good power cable can make in a typically competent, electrical system. 

Upgrading the socket to at least a hospital grade outlet or a better audiophile one further helps of course, as do other expensive, electrical system upgrades written about elsewhere, even more.

@ghdprentice 

Hearing your system was spectacular! Thank you.

Even though hard to quantify, I believe a major difference between your system and mine was how “present” yours was. I attributed this to your dedicated AC lines.

Inspired, I have set out to run the best dedicated line I can.

Always impressed by the products of the Japanese company, Oyaide, I got 50’ of their very special 10 gauge, three conductor cable. Also, 2 copper duplexes with heavy faceplates. Just this was $4500. And electromagnetic breaker and an electrician. About another $1K+.

My power chords are all Shunyata King Cobra. Not to mention Shunyata Triton/Typhon power center. All that about 10 years ago was close to $30K.

However, it waits to be seen if I still will need the T/T.

But you might say that I am focused on power…

Forgive me if this has already been addressed or if it's just outright naive, but, are the issues of circuit breakers, house wiring and receptacles all moot if you're using a power regenerator like a PS Audio P12? 

Thanks Mike. It was a pleasure meeting you. If you are game the pandemic has wound down enough for another visit. I’d be happy to have you over again. The Audio Quest amp power cord has really notably improved the imaging, depth, and taken away the rose cast. I am really happy that it is perfectly on target… finally. Also, I still have the Audio Research Ref mono blocks as well as my stereo ARC Ref 160s. John is leaving me the monoblocks for a while longer.

I am going to be very interested in hearing the results of your electrical investment… now that you went one more step with specialty in wall copper, as you know I went with standard contractor 10 gauge wire in the wall.