Do older power cables still hold up to newer ones?


I have been thinking about this for a while now. I have a 20+ year history in this audio hobby. Back then in the early 2000’s I was working at my business and had a bit of disposable income and I built up a system, some of which I still own today. Namely my VAC Amp and Preamp and my CEC TL1x. (I have bought new speakers, a new DAC and DDC, a music streamer. I’ve replaced my old Wireworld Gold Eclipse III interconnects and speaker wires already) I have some highly rated power cords of their time from 2002. I have 4 Shunyata Black Mamba cords on the front end equipment and a pair of BMI Whales on the Amp. (My Renaissance 70/70 amp requires two power cords.) Everything except the amp is plugged into the original Shunyata Hydra power conditioner and i have 2 20 amp dedicated lines for everything. Most other things in the system have been updated this past year. So I really ponder if it would be worth it to convert these cords to something new and will it really cost a lot more to improve upon them? These were all very good power conditioning products back then. I am not interested in buying multi thousand dollar cords. I am retired now and I don’t want to spend money on anything I don’t have to and I probably won’t. I just wonder how good they really are anymore??? It’s probably hard to tell because so much time has expired since they were made and sold. I could test something out from the Cable Co loan program I guess, but to me it seems that will end being very costly to improve upon these cables. I do have a Wire World Electra 8 cord coming to play with that I got off US Audiomart just to see if it makes any difference anywhere. I just got my pre amp updated waiting for it’s return and i plan to take my amp to FL to drop off to VAC for a upgrade/refurbish. I also plan to re-tube it and that can cost $1600-$3500 depending on which tubes I get. So my pathway to resurrecting the system doesn’t include power cords at this time. (I took a hiatus from the system for 10 years busy chasing other hobbies, but that phase of my life is over as my age has caught up to me..LOL)

128x128fthompson251

If you like the sound of your system, upgrading cables would be low on my priority list.

Sorry but if you like the sound of your system a great ac cord will just make it sound better IMHO and experience.

Older High end ones still do….CARDAS, NORDOST , FURUTECH, OYAIDE ."L 

 

 

A typical power cord will start to lose phlogiston after several years of use. The result will be flat, uninvolving sound. You will start to wonder where the "magic" went! Since phlogiston can't be replaced the only solution is to buy another power cord. Don't forget burn-in to align the metal atoms!

There have been tremendous advances in power cable technology....er wait,   I guess there hasn't been any.....carry on.

fthompson251

 

You have built a very nice system. No doubt that technology has vastly improved over 20 years. After you live with the Pre-amp and Power amp upgrades for awhile, then seek out Cables/Cords upgrades as well. Let me know about the Electra 8 cord into  your system. 

Another approach is to research which brand(s) of Cables/Cords sonically match VAC gear.

 

Happy Listening!