Ideal power cord lengths?

@mirolab , as I noted I’ve not conducted a test of different lengths of identical model power cords so I cannot speak to any differences. I was simply asking if anyone had actually done this test. Quite by accident, I did find that longer USB cords are obviously superior than 1m or shorter ones. I verified this through blind tests after, which was quite unnecessary as the differences were so obvious in my system. Tested two Audioquest Diamonds of different lengths and Nordost Valhalla 2’s of different lengths. I simply asked if anyone had done this test with power cords as I’ve read from a few sources that it matters.

@ghdprentice was the only person who actually did the test as a result of this thread, and found that longer cords improve the soundstage, which is consistent with what I’ve read elsewhere.

As for power cords in general, as vastly entertaining as it is to endlessly discuss whether they make a difference (for decades!) there is a very simple alternative to answer this burning existential question for all members of humanity who are privileged enough to be able to get sample cords from a dealer. Go try a test, yourself, in a system that is configured to be moderately revealing. I don’t have stats but I know only a few who have done this test who can’t hear a difference. And you don’t need to be an audiophile to hear the difference.

That said, the discussion is still fun, albeit utterly non-productive. The only way to resolve this is to see if you can hear a difference. When I think back to when I was a bit younger, I too didn’t want to think about the differences a power cord could make, even if I actually knew they played a pretty significant role in the performance of a system (from a test I did when I was young). But I didn’t WANT to think about it because my entire focus was on being able to afford amps and speakers. So even though I knew there was a difference I lived with stock cords for many years. I have premium power cords now, and while a wouldn’t say I consider them to have the effect of a major component upgrade, the improvement they make in my system is not small.

Many audiophiles refuse to engage on this topic as the discussion is futile if people aren’t willing to try a test for themselves.  But I get a kick out of the discussion….

OP

+1

I have always actively not wanted to hear a difference in accessories. I did not want to add more layers of difficulty to the pursuit. But virtually anything I have done… wires and others including springs and other vibration control stuff has demonstrated it matters. 

Great thread and info! Since I DIY my PC's, just ordered new bulk. I will use existing Wattgate connectors to test before converting each cable to a new length. It's as good a time as any to order a couple different brands of bulk to try.

Checked and NO Shunyata nor Nordost bulk LOL!

Of course Nordost recommends 4 meter LOL!

Audioquest is a unique cable mfg/distributor. Yes, big $$$$ in R&D but in advertising and "shelving" as well! As one poster mentioned, gauge is smaller, forget molded connectors vs. good quality connectors cost wise. $2 vs $100 mfg COST! At AQ's massive mark up those two connectors would cost you $1000.

It only takes a stripper and screwdriver to DIY them.

Mark    

PS: Even Audioquest does not ship their Niagara Power Conditioners with a power cord (nor Denafrips).

From their website:

Niagara Noise-Dissipation Systems do not ship with an AC cable. Why?

The cable that feeds any power product is the most important AC cable in the audio/video system. For any power product to maximize its ability to dissipate noise, the attached AC cables must be Direction-Controlled to drain induced radio-frequency noise. AudioQuest AC cables include ZERO-Tech for uncompressed current transfer and optimal Noise-Dissipation. Further, our patented GND-Tech (Ground-Noise Dissipation) pulls RF noise out of any product it’s attached to.

When partnered with a Niagara power product, our Direction-Controlled AC cables create a complete Noise-Dissipation System, ensuring the most effective and efficient dissipation of RF noise.

We allow our customers to select the appropriate length of cable for their systems and to decide how completely they’d like to optimize their Niagaras.

I always take info from vendors with a grain of salt. I had thought Nordost recommends 2m power cords but I could be mistaken. I once found a link on these boards to a Nordost Q&A that lists recommended lengths for all types of cables. The PS Audio guy also recommends 2m as “the sweet spot” and said he has a number of theories as to why, inferring that longer than this can be worse.

Regarding pricing, yeah, all HiFi vendors are seemingly making ridiculous margins. I just bought some Herbie’s Cone/Spike Decoupling gliders for my speaker spikes to sit on. They are considered the “budget” option for these types of products (but people report positive results). But for the life of me I can’t see how these would cost a manufacturer any more than a few dollars more than a standard set of furniture sliders from Home Depot. Cable companies get picked on but it’s all types of HiFi vendors really. On the flip side the HiFi market is minuscule. For anyone to be in such a low volume market, it would only make sense if the margins were exorbitant with the small number of people in the market willing to pay.

Of note, yes, the Herbie’s gliders do seem to make an easily noticeable difference. I tried putting them on one speaker and not the other.  That made the differences really obvious.  But I don’t have experience with similar products and I’m guessing others are effective as well.