2. cables
  3. 177683-4741

Monstrous power cables

Why?

I’m sitting in my listening chair looking at the over $1K power cable that came with my Running Springs Audio Maxim power conditioner.  The guy I bought the unit from said he auditioned three cables all costing over a grand and liked these the best.

The cables are about the diameter of the cardboard center of paper towels (maybe even thicker) and weighs about five pounds.  It’s absolutely monstrous!  I’ve got a piece of wood supporting it under the receptacle and use other items to support it under the Maxim.

The electricity is carried through my house probably using 14 gauge wire.  What’s the logic using more than that going from the outlet to any component?

I’ve got quite a few power cables of various diameters, the thickest (other than the one connected to the Maxim) being the AC9 s from Pangea.  And to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever AB’d power cables, having just assumed they do make (at least) some difference.

 

 

audiodwebe
ghdprentice
8,172 posts
 

@12many

 

I would refer to Shunyata… the founder has a good video on the subject. The point is that power is like a lake not a hose. The reality of us that have experience is that a high end power cords are the most effective at improving sound… the second is to replace low quality Romex with a 10 gauge direct line or better. Depending on your power grid, a power conditioner can be at the beginning or end of the list.

One thing to notice is that great sounding audio equipment invariably has a large amount of technology and weight dedicated to power… it is the foundation of high quality sound.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

With as decent power supply in an amplifier, then there is also a “lake” inside of the amp.

petg60
1,486 posts
 

If the gullible with deep pockets are assured of promised improvements by slick marketing campaigns well let them spend thousands on a power cable that might possibly make a whopping 1/2% improvement.

Have you ever heard top gear and what that, even the small percentage you are referring, is capable off.

Even with that, it would be interesting to know the science behind how that last 6 feet of cord overcomes all the ’ sound’ from the 100 feet of crappy Romex.

Why should not be the first six feet?

The ’size’ or the thickness does not mean a thing (in this case) At the present, I am using AN Kondo power cord in my tube preamp that has the smallest diameter of all I have tried, but it gives me the sensation of the deepest stage, like no other has.

True, especially for Kondo where there is magic in all of his cables (and not only).

cleeds
6,285 posts
 

1971gto455ho

... Let’s have a few of these high cost cable manufactures randomly select on their honour of course, 10 people for blind A/B testing ... I’ll wager there won’t be a lineup of manufactures Interested.

Once again, those who clamor for blind testing insist that others conduct the testing for them. The measurementalists apparently believe they are somehow uniquely immune from bias, a product of some special knowledge. That is why they toss around words like "stupid" and "dumb" to describe those with whom they disagree.

If blind testing is your religion, feel free to pursue it yourself. Wireworld makes its own comparator that will simplify your efforts. You can probably borrow one from a dealer.

jayheydt101's avatar
jayheydt101
1 posts
 

It’s been said that you’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own science.  If a $1K power cable sounds better to you, than a quality standard power cord, so be it, but from a scientific standpoint, there is no difference. 

I say this as a licensed, professional electrical engineer, who has designed hundreds of power supplies over my 40+ year career, many for mission critical applications.  It doesn’t really matter what feeds the power supply of your amplifier, what matters is that the voltage coming out the supply is well regulated, clean direct current. In fact, this is the sole function of a power supply.  If the output of a power supply requires some exotic power cable to function properly, that doesn’t say much for the engineer(s) who designed it.  I’d be looking for a different amp with a higher quality design. 

More to discover