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Power Cords Snake Oil ??

Having been a long time audiophile living with countless high end compnents I have to wonder about the theory and practicality of high end power cords.

I have yet to hear the difference a power cord makes. Ive owned, synergistic, Shunyata, BMI and cardas. I in no way can detect any sonic signature or change. Give me a pair of interconnects and I imeadiately notice a difference somewhere in the sonic spectrum. Not the PC though. I have accomplished 4 blind tests with my friends. 3 out of the 4 they did not know their cord was replaced. All 4 were using a stock factory supplied cord. Each of the 4 tests were done on different components. Amp, CDP, Preamp & dac.

My electrical backround tells me that provided you supply the component with its required voltage bet 110vac or 220/240vac its happy. Now, change the incoming frequency from 60hz to say 53hz and watch how quickly your soundstage collapses.! This is often the case during the summer months when home air conditioners are in use and the utility company power output is taxed to the max. A really good power conditioner should however take care of the frequency fluctuations. But 110vac is still 110vac regardless of the conductor it passes through as long as its remains 110vac when it reaches the intended circuit. Does your 8k amp or preamp know the difference of the path the voltage took to reach it ? Many an audiophile will use a dedicated 20amp circut for their equipment.That is a good idea as voltage & frequency fluctuations will occur in the home circuit to to other loads on the main breaker panel but again, A power cord simply is the means of transporting the voltage from the wall to the component. IF there is a clean 110vac @ 60hz at the wall socket, no matter what the medium is to go from the socket to the component, it will still be 110vac @60hz.

Could somebody expand on this a bit more. I just dont understand it. ??
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lacee
811 posts
 
I wonder if the people who can't hear improvements, be it power cords, fuses, wires etc,really take the effort to really listen and evaluate the sound of their systems?

I'll bet they are passive listeners, sometimes called music lovers, but aren't we all in this hobby because of the music?

Ah yes, but some folks are content to just plug it in to the wall with whatever came in the box and listen to music as sonic wallpaper while they pay attention to other things.

If that is the type of music lover that you are, then yes of course none of this aftermarket stuff is relevant to you.
I can see why you would rather spend your hard earned money on more music, which of course you will only be listening to in the background.

Some of us, for whatever reasons, tend to push the envelope.
Some folks like to modify their cars and tweak up performance , while others are content to just get to work and get back home safe and sound.

I think the group who are after upgraded performance get where the other side is coming from, they've been there.

The other side ,however, hasn't been anywhere different than where they've been since day one.

I'm certain that this is the group that will never be swayed or converted.

It's just not in their genes.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
"I wonder if the people who can't hear improvements, be it power cords, fuses, wires etc,really take the effort to really listen and evaluate the sound of their systems?"

This applys to me. You miss all the music listening for wire. A lot of good detailed explainations, but they failed to explain how it all impacts the SOUND that reaches your ears. The effect of All phenomena in nature cannot be heard by human beings! I cannot believe this is so hard to comprehend.
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
Lacee - don't forget that the differences they may fail to detect also depends on the other cables in their systems which may or may not allow them to hear a difference.

If either the speaker cables or interconnects are not of sufficient quality or gauge, they will not hear any improvement.

I have very good 10 gauge speaker cables and phono interconnects with balanced conductors and directional screens. They make a huge difference to the complete sound and allowed me to hear improvements

But you are correct in that people listen for different things - e.g. I listen to the musical phrasing, not the actual words.
pierre620
1 posts
 
The armonico Power Cord from Fono Acustica is changing the view many people have about power cords in general. I have witness how this PC truly transform the sound of a system for the better regardless of what other cables are being used in a system. I also witness how this PC has changed the minds of many none believers, while I do agree that there are lot snake oil products in the market the armonico PC is worth to try.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
Hmmm...first post by Pierre620. I suspect a shill.
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