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Ideal power cord lengths?

A quick Google search suggests there is consensus that the ideal power cord length is 2m.  1m cords sound “harsher” and 3m cords sound “smoother”, with 2m being the sweet spot.  The PS Audio dude suggests that the reason is that the reason is that all cords have an impact on the power, and the greater the length, the greater the impact, good or bad.

I know many will say there is no difference between a 1m cord and a 3m cord.  But my question is, who here has tried like model power cords of different lengths, and what were the differences?  
 

Second question:  How does length factor into the equation when you have a cord feeding a conditioner, then other cords feeding components?  If 2m cords are in fact the ideal, would 1m cords be ideal when using conditioners?

I tend to believe those that say that power cord lengths matter.  While I’ve not been able to do this test myself, I’ve had these two experiences:

  • Testing Audioquest Diamond and Nordost Valhalla 2 USB cables, the cables shorter than 1.5m sounded TERRIBLE by comparison.  Especially the .75m Audioquest Diamond vs the 1.5m version.  But the 1m Valhalla 2 also sounded awful in comparison to the 2m version.  In general this opened my eyes to how much cable length matters, and counterintuitively in the case of digital cables. 
  • I have a 2019 2m AudioQuest Hurricane Source cable from back when AQ braided their cables, and I also have the newer non-braided Hurricane Source, but 3m in length.  The new Hurricane sounds vastly superior to my old 2m Hurricane.  In comparison the older cord compresses the soundstage depth.  I don’t know if the differences are due to the differences in length, or if it’s due to a design change by Audioquest.

Very interested in learning of others experiences with power cord lengths.

 

 

nyev
nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

@lalitk , I know it will make a huge difference, but thank you anyways! I am also considering what I can put in front of my TV while listening to music..

tablejockey
3,916 posts
 

Takeaway from this contentious thread subject-NOTHING

If one thinks aftermarket power cables make for a "better" setup, then it does.

If someone is in the other camp-you're right, too.

I have overpriced fancy cables only because of smokin' deals.

One certainty-the supplied $1.00 rubber PC will make your component work.

nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

I just read the other thread on the merits of lifting cables off the floor with purchased or DIY cable risers - it’s even more contentious than this thread!

I plan to TRY using risers at some point, will attempt to do a blind test somehow, and then decide whether I believe it makes a difference or not in my system.

I will not blindly assume it’s silly, even if the concept is totally loony. Ears are the best judge, but part of the hobby is to work through any possible bias that might influence what we think we are hearing or not hearing. Bias is definitely a factor to contend with; I’ve encountered it myself and subsequently had to alter my assessments. Usually this only lasts for a few days when it happens though.

 

 

ghdprentice
7,064 posts
 

OP,

 

Good idea. When I was new to high end audio I quickly heard important differences in speaker cables, interconnects and realized that this little stuff really makes a difference. Then I read an article in The Absolute Sound, in the 80’s… that one of the important writers had heard many good systems… but that every great system he had ever heard had all the details perfect… cable lifters, cables crossed at 90 degrees… etc. the point was… the little stuff is additive and matters.

 

So I bought vibration reduction platforms… and heard the difference. The power conditioners, and heard the difference. But when it came down to cable lifters… they are so cheap… I just bought them (ceramic electrical isolation devices) and put them under my cables. My time is not worth doing the comparison. They are universally known to improve sound… they cost almost nothing. After, the last 12 things I was told make a difference, and did… direct lines… power cords. I am happy to spend $100 on my $50K system on faith. Only my system is now worth $150K and those $100 of electrical insulators are there, and I feel confident they are doing something… and if not, I don’t care… my system sound great.

webking185's avatar
webking185
195 posts
 

3-4 meters is suffice for me.

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