2. cables
  3. 1129663995

What Bryston says about power cord...

for their amps and preamps...

It's the email response I got after inquiring about power cord I lost while moving.

"In general, Bryston has seen no reason to use anything other than a high-quality AWG 14 cord with an IEC connector and three-prong plug. We can supply these (which are original equipment) for $15 each + a small shipping charge.

Some customers seem absolutely determined to spend insane amounts of money on "special" power cords; after spending that money, can their assessment of what they gained be trusted?

If you can't find AWG 14 standard cords in your area, contact us to order them."

Also, REL manual says 'Only use the power cord supplied'.

When you buy a power cord for a equipment, do you actually check with the equipment manufacturer first? or just do it.

Following was my email question,
-----------------------------------
Hi

I'm using 3B SST and 5B ST for stereo and HT.

While moving, I lost the power cords supplied by
Bryston, so I'm currently using some cheap unknown
power cords. I was thinking about getting some nice
aftermarket power cords, so I didn't bother to find it
hard.

I know from the manual that you recommend not using
power line conditioners, but what about power cords?

What do you reccomend?

The one I'm considering is PS Audio Prelude.
http://www.psaudio.com/products/xstream_power_prelude.asp

Will using good after market power cords imporve or
reduce the amp performance?

Is the power cord supplied by Bryston supposed to
perform the best for the amp? Should I try to get
power cords from Bryston if they are lost?

Thanks.
eandylee
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I believe conrad johnson makes the same comments concerning power cords (use the one supplied). I have upgraded the power cords on my cj amp and pre-amp and have heard no disernable difference in sound. I also upgraded the power cord on my cd player (scd-1) and felt it substantially lowered the noise floor on that component.

Chuck
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
Audiogon is the only place I know of where the majority seem to encourage spending money on fancy power cords (even when you can hear a difference it is rarely an improvement). It is your money however....
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Being as how conditioners have already been brought up;here is my nickel's worth. I owned the CJ Prem 5 monos. Had them a year before I tried the Audio Magic conditioner--This is both amps into one A M unit-- It was like my amps were on steroids. (Read,more dynamic etc.)More recently I bought the DeHavilland Aeries g. monos. I listened for 3/4 weeks before trying a conditioner--(a no,no,says the factory) I swear it was like I had just upgraded to twice as good a pre,or something similar. This was now an Adept Response conditioner. When I talked to my dealer and Kara--they hated me.This was a difference Hellen Keller could have heard.(Sorry, I have to give an "over the top" reference.)to make my point.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,216 posts
 
It seems popular opinion favors ignoring what the manufacturers recommend for their products. That being the case, why are people buying products from manufacturers who can't hear well enough to setup their products to sound their best?
danlib1
819 posts
 
All cabling, including power cords, can change the sound to some degree. Making improvements however involves experimentation. After skeptical experimentation you may find the results are better than you'd imagine.

System synergies, expectations, hype, all have an impact on your perception. This said, I challenge anyone within driving distance of my home to swing by and tell me my aftermarket cords don't sound WAY better than the stock items.

Folks who TRULY hear no differences when cabling is changed can probably save themselves a lot of cash in this hobby.
More to discover