Power cords: does length matter?

@ditusa Thanks for the link. Regarding length, I find that 5 ft is exactly 1.5 meters which some say is the optimum length for a power cable. I also find that 2 meters is 6.5 ft. I own two manufacturer-supplied cables which are very rugged and stiff [I’m assuming due to their shielding], they each measure 9 ft 10” (+/- 1.0”). I think they each came with used McIntosh equipment purchases. I find them a bit too long. They may be stiff because of the use of heavier gauge conductors.

I wish I could tell if a cable is shielded or not. I’m sure I’ve employed at least a few computer grade (16 AWG, unshielded) power cords in my system. I also wish I could tell what the conductor’s gauge is without opening it up to find out. I already make my own interconnects [Mogami fan here], now I guess I’ll have to add a new wing to make power cords —any length I want!

@immatthewj Good luck on your quest.

So, basically, dealer (Nordost) said "2m works the best for it to really filter." As much as I like the optimal design, I just think whoever states the "fact" he think it is also bears the burden of proof.

I really do not want to get into the "both cords must be same length for time alignment" statement he also made subsequently. Not even worth the time to comment.

Absolutely. Two meters is preferred. I experimented with an Audio Quest Hurricane one meter and two meter power cord on my Audio Research Reference 160s. The two meter power cord provided much better sound, doing more of what the one meter did. The rule of thumb is all cords should be two meter.

When I brought this observation up to my dealer, he said, “Yep, longer length, more power conditioning.”

@tattooedtrackman 

So, did you have two 1m and two 2m power cords and compare them? Because I can’t imagine anyone would be able to tell the difference between a blended soundstage and different length cords. But I have no doubt the difference would be very obvious on your system between two 1m Dragons and two 2m Dragons.

And people do not find the sound difference bet. 1m and 2m pc is simply because their system is not revealing enough, right?  Learn something new every day!

The proof I would like to see if how much difference in noise filtering capability can actually be measured due to that 1 m difference.