Also, a cheap way to upgrade a stock power cable if you don’t want to spend $500 is to swap the AC and IEC connectors. A good set of plugs will produce a nice improvement noticeable in reduction of noise floor, opening up soundstage, etc.
An interesting experience with power cable.
I’ve read a lot about power cables throughout the years and finally took a leap of faith and bought 1 silver-plated power cable. Of course I immediately plugged it in my amp and turn on everything for a listen. I could hear a tiny improvement but honestly was underwhelmed. I plugged the basic cable back into the amp. I plug the upgraded cable into my DAC for fun.
WOW, immediate and significant improvements. I gained a substantial amount of smoothness and sweetness and perceived clarity was also improved. I have alternate the upgraded power cable into the amp a few times, each time I get the same results, underwhelming, not as dramatic as if the cable went into the DAC.
So that was unexpected, I’m not saying power cable for amps are not significant. What I’m saying is, if you have only 1 upgraded power cable, the rest being stock basic, then plug it in your DAC, you might be surprised as well. Thanks for reading fellas.
Very curious to get a 2nd cable for the amp now.
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@samureyex I have a 12 lb tube amp that makes just a couple of watts per channel and I was shocked that it was limited by a 14 awg power cable. I'll never use anything smaller that 10 awg on an amp again. A small power cable will limit dynamics, rapid changes or bass notes. music that is more consistent in level and range will be mostly unaffected. Jerry |
@samureyex - what you are experiencing is quite normal because generally speaking...
But as normal, it’s not quite that simple - "GENERALLY"
Unfortunately, there are 100’s of brands of cable out there, but the following are just some of the brands that I have looked into in the 15 years I have been dabbling with DIY cables
Please note - this IS NOT a difinitive list - just some exceptional cables that I have been made aware of. Any of these cables will provide performance improvements over most commercially available "branded" products within a comparable price bracket. These cables are...
Hope that helps take some of the myth out of this hobby Regards - Steve |
@carlsbad Those tube amps can draw a lot of power don't they. I believe mine is 8 gauge, not sure. it says "8AG" idk what that is.
@audphile1 I've never heard the difference with cable break-in but I don't refute the idea. Mine is probably at 70 hrs. |
@williewonka Thanks for the plate of knowledge and the effort you gave. I've saved Audio Envy into my audio log book. |
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