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Prioritizing Power Cable Upgrades by System Component.

I'm digging into the world of power cables and it is kind of amazing. The promise that a good cable can bring along with its price is both exciting and staggering.

There are several components that need some kind of power cable and upgrading them, for me, needs to be done in steps.

For those that have upgraded power cables, how would you prioritize between the pre-amp (tube), power amp (ss) and powered sub...and possibly even the DAC? 

imaninatural
tednep
33 posts
 

 

I try to keep my system simple. 

Star configuration outlet for All your electronic, and this is Best direct from the wall if possible. 

Start with your power distributør if you not have wall outlet star configuration. Your outlet distributor should then be a star configuration. 

Then Source, i have a cd transport and a DAC. The DAC is the most importent of the TWO but Source first. 

My integrated amp next. If i have had pre+amp combo, then the pre first and amp. second. 

Then my speakers (Quad)

This is my experience. 

 

overthemoon
476 posts
 

Source first, if you have preamp and amp components consider the preamp as a source. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,449 posts
 

@imaninatural 

In my opinion the answer is - it depends. 
A power cord upgrade on DAC can make just as significant improvement as the right power cord would on the amplifier.
If your system is able to resolve the differences a power cord upgrades make I’d say DAC, pre-amp or amp…doesn’t really matter where you start however the subwoofer would be last on the list. 

Also, keep in mind that there are power cables that work better on DACs than they do on pre-amps or amps and vice versa. 

Just my $0.02. 
 

ghdprentice
7,785 posts
 

“the influence of the power cable is inversely proportional to the quality and sophistication of the built in power filtering and power supply of any component.”

 

That quote sounds good, makes sense. But my experience definitely does not confirm it, nor at first blush refute it. This would need to be backed up by lots of observations. I can think of lots of possible contra examples from my experience but most are confounded by some factor. But, better sounding equipment is much more sensitive to small differences… so I have my doubts… I would always test. 

ghdprentice
7,785 posts
 

OP, definitely power amp first with emphasis on current. Then (I think) source with emphasis on isolation… shielding. Then in between.

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