@lalitk Thanks for your comment. I am not averse to trying better cords, and if I can hear it with the Audience, then it may be even more apparent when I'm in my new space. That space has 5 dedicated lines and a dedicated sub-panel.
Can a better power cable make a difference if NOT plugged directly into an outlet?
I am curious about improving my sound with power cable upgrades.
At present, I'm using a setup which Almarg (RIP) used and which he recommended to me:
Wall outlet (hospital plug)
Audience Adept Response-ar2p power conditioner
Wiremold strip w/ Shunyata defender
I use Pangea AC 9 SE and AC14 SE cords, at present.
This setup has been quiet and hum free.
Still I'm curious about whether better power cables might make some improvements, here or there.
The question is, whether any improvements a power cable could bring would be blunted or nullified by the setup I'm presently using.
Any thoughts?
Those who say power cables never matter, please go watch a cute cat video instead of posting here, please.
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My biggest concern with power cables is that they be shielded due to all the digital stuff I have running around my rack. In this case, yes, a shielded cable after the conditioner can ensure the power stays clean after it leaves. My Furman filters down to around 3 kHz due to series mode filtering. After power leaves it can be polluted again by HDMI, Ethernet, Wifi, etc. So, I invest in shielding but not brands. That is, I will make my own shielded power cables, but I won't invest hundreds of dollars from an audiophile brand. Shielded power cables can be had inexpensively. |
@erik_squires Thanks -- that makes a lot of sense. Saving money by attacking the problem with the greatest impact (if it works) breaks the stranglehold of marketing pseudo-scientific doublespeak. |
+1 great post. I agree.
Certainly one can try experimenting with material for isolation. But reputable companies have done this for you with every aspect of the cord. The current Storm line do AudioQuest is an example of this. The fittings are so tight I have to hold my mono blocks when plugging in. The improvement in sound from my amps was simply stunning. I also recommend changing one cord at a time. Experiment with the amp cords first. While every component gets an improvement, the amp is likely the biggest difference and most obvious in the change you can expect for a power cord. Even if you think you would never spend as much as an Audio Quest Hurricane, I recommend you try one. It will set the bar for what a high quality power cord can do. Definitely plug the amps directly into the direct lines. |
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