Power Cables

@mikhailark 

I am a technical person, and I agree, I cannot think of how a power cord would affect the digital output stream from a dedicated streamer. But at least we agreed earlier that a power cord can make a difference where analog is involved, so they can make a difference. However for pure digital, without any idea how a power cord could affect it, but know they can have an affect on other components, I think we have to look at empirical evidence.

I started thinking about my Innuos Zenith streamer, and its predecessor an Aurender N10. Both products touted their power supplies. I pulled up the Innuos page for the Innuos Zenith, the very first sentence reads:

"Pushing our popular ZENith even further, the advanced MK3 includes a Triple-Linear PSU with Mundorf CAPS and custom-treated SSD. Ideal for audiophiles who want a smoother, more relaxed sound with a wider soundstage"

So the experts at Innuos say that clean power matters. And if clean power matters, then it seems that a power cord could affect the performance of a streamer, even though it is just twiddling bits. Do we know how or why, nope. But empirically the evidence inherent in the design of the Innuos gear and other streamers, and the educated opinions of experts in this forum, seem to say that it matters.

Logically a power cord cannot make a difference in this case, but the empirical evidence says otherwise.

@zlone - Agreed about analog. "Experts" at company that sells you things? Mmmmm - no :-)

Proper statement is here - and this is actually really good network switch etc. BUT as actual DAC engineer from Denafrips says - you don't need one.

Just finished burning in my IceAge Frankencable power cord with a little over 50 hours. 
 

Results

On my Aurender N20 it significantly improves the overall sound and presentation of my system. Smooths out the highs making them even more refined but the biggest improvement was soundstage in both width and depth. An excellent result. 
 

My MSB DAC has two power supplies. One for the digital conversion and one for the analog output. There was a similar improvement when the cable was connected to the digital power supply and a less noticeable improvement on the analog supply but still an improvement. 
 

On my Accuphase P-4600 amplifier there was no improvement in fact it slightly compressed the image. As I may have mentioned Accuphase strongly recommends  that you use the supplied cable only. So I have not found a cable that is more compatible. 
 

So  the Frankencable is on the Streamer and I ordered two more for the DAC. 

Thanks for your thoughts, and congrats!

@jfrmusic good deal! I recommend you try one of these on the amp despite the Accuphase claim. I haven’t yet come across an amplifier that didn’t benefit from a good power cord.