power cord too short? what now?

Metro04, FWIW I'm severely challenged when it comes to figuring out how long a PC should be. If one assumes that adding a particular PC improves the sound, say a six ft length, would a nine foot length sound better, or worse. Why? How about a 12 ft length. Would that be better or worse? Why? Assuming the PC is the same guage as the romex in the walls and the current is not limited by the PC wouldn't it be acting as some sort of filter for RFI etc and benefit by being as long as possible. I wonder how one determines the optimum length in the first place. Oh well, lots of questions - I'm sure there are a lot of answers. I'm just a Newbee. :-)

Newbee,

A power cord can be any length providing the conductors and plugs are rated for the current requirements. All "unshielded" wiring is susceptible to RFI and EMI influences. Shielded PC's ONLY minimize EMI (AC hum) into close proximity high signal gain interconnect cables, which most decent IC's should eliminate themselves (ie; 100% shielded vs braided only). Keep in mind that all "exposed" Romex house wiring, from each wall outlet, is "unshielded" back to the breaker box. Now, if your house wiring is ran through grounded metal cunduit, then that's different, right? So, what sonic attributes can a short shielded "grounded" PC cable offer to footage of non-shielded cable runs? That's where all the debatable controversy begins.

I'm from the camp that's doesn't believe "Audiophile" PC's can offer any improvements over "stock" cords, EXCEPT for fully shielded scenerios as mentioned above. Exotic conductors, dielectrics, and layout construction offer nothing over the remaining non-audiophile Romex wiring, standard outlet composition, breakers, etc. If you won't believe me, than obtain the proper test equipment and have it verified. Look at each and every "Audiophile" concern at the outlet, then the output of the boutique cord(s). As long as the equipment is getting it's proper "clean" voltage supply, that's it!

Look, get a range of cables on loan (speaker, PC, IC's, etc). "Stock" and otherwise. Since you should know your system's sound at this point, have a friend perform blind testing on you. Let them deliberately fool you by periods of never exchanging "stock" cabling. If you can't pick the high dollar cable(s) every time, there's your answer. This goes for even the most hideously expensive systems. Ignore $$$ ego, and prove it to yourselves...

Metro04, in case you haven't figured it out I happen to agree with you. I've tried out different cables to contrast to the heavy guage Belden which I typically use and on those few occasions when I thought I heard a difference I did not hear a corresponding change when I removed the cable under test and went back to the old Belden. But then again, my equipment is not revealing enuf, my hearing is poor, and my attention span is nil. What would you expect. :-)

One possible thing to do is if you like your power cords and don't want to chg just for the sake of getting longer etc...then investigate power conditioners which I think you don't in your system...many will argue they improve sound quality (I do) and u can use them btwn the outlet and our gear so that a defacto extension occurs. Of course, you will have to experiment with various power conditioners first and trust your own ears.

Newbee,

Read "Pabelson's" thread on the "Do you respect others views?". He's not alone with his posted point of view, but always nice to hear from someone objective.

Oh, and refreshing to hear someone convey honesty about themselves, like yourself. You and others just enjoy the hobby, if that's what it is classified as. I wonder if fishermen bicker so much about their gear?