Longer Power Cords Sound better?

Hi Zaikesman,

Caelin's recommendation of no shorter than a 1 meter length has to do as much with practicality than anything else. Although shorther than three feet essentially just adds connecting points and puts you kissing distance from your Romex--so what's the point of a nice PC, then?

Often times the IEC of a component is inverted (upside down). If you say, order a two foot length measuring fom IEC to the wall. You get the cord, then realize than you have to turn or invert it to match the outlet in the wall, guess what, it's too short. That, and the loss of resale value and in our opinion, a performance loss, are the reasons I warn customers that want a one-meter or shorter power cord.

Regarding Guido's reference to a 30 foot power cord we made: Astoria Studios (Pink Floyd) requested a 6ft Anaconda to try with their Studer Master Deck. We supplied a 6ft length for eval. hey were skeptical that it would make _any_ difference because all the power supplies of their electronics were heavily modified by Tim Diparavacini.

They had to wheel the Studer deck across the floor for the eval because the 6ft length of the power cord was far too short. Based on listening results, they ordered a 30 foot Anaconda to allow the distance required for the Studer's normal place on the floor.

Soon after recieving the 30 footer (we took pics before shipping as its the longest we've made), the studio manager called us to ask what the new, incredible model was as it was light years better than what we had sent for test. We explained why the difference existed and they understood. Since then, they have been our greatest protagonists in the pro realm and ordered more than $150k worth of product. Anectodal, sure. However, in such a high rez application, it speaks loudly to our point. Wont be true of all PC's likely, but it is with ours.

YMMV

Grant: Discretion's often the better part of valor, and you're nothing if not valiant, but I'll bet you a Helix no one here owns a cord less than 3 ft. long unless they DIY'ed it -- probably for the reason you mention -- however the question here is about sound and longer cords, not what's the shortest cord that won't fail to make the connection. I'll agree it makes sense that if a particular cord doesn't do beneficial things for the sound at 3 ft., then going to 8 ft. probably won't be an improvement -- another "it should go without saying" point.

LOL, I guess I left you scratching your head eh?
You understand my position clearly on points D and E of your post. Let me clarify the rest: For A), I said electrical measurements would show a shorter cord to be better. Meaning better performance in regards to inductance and capacitance. Those may not be the only factors that affect PC performance, but they are indeed measureable, while others are not. For B), we can't currently find measurements to support the audible changes we 'believers' hear. Meaning you can't use a Db meter, frequency analyzer, etc. to 'see' proof of differences. For C), listening may well reveal that a PC sounds best (to you) in a longer length, given your personal preferences and system-specific sonics. But as I said in D), if that is the case, then you've got the wrong (less than optimum) PC. Chances are a different PC of shorter length (and probably of different gauge), will accomplish the same sonic change you preferred, plus may do so with improved dynamics. (Whether such a PC product is currently available on the market may limit your choice). As for E), some of the more exotic explanations for why PC's affect changes on audio gear, while they might be perfectly plausible, can't be proven with measurements, so they are, for the time being at least, just theories to support what might be causing the changes we hear.
As for point F) of your post, I'm sorry if I left you with that impression, it certainly wasn't my intent. I was merely suggesting a method that might make it easier for you to hear the differences between 2 otherwise identical cables.
I'd also like to add that I think Shunyata makes excellent PC's, and that their efforts to improve upon PC performance are greatly appreciated by 'true believers' such as myself. The very fact that they are one of the very few cable companies to use cryogenics tells me all I need to know about the quality of their products, and the sincerity of their efforts.
Maybe next someone could start a thread asking if cryoing PC's makes them sound better?
(The answer, IMO, is a resounding yes)

Zaikesman,

The post you refer to is circa 2000 and was not an "article", but just a posted response to an antagonistic diatribe from a someone that was casting stones at anything that related to power products.

Caelin stated his opinion in response to several people that were calling all power products BS. It wasn't intended to be any complete answer to the question in this thread. Sorry, I don't see any cop out there, we're talking _six_ years ago and an unrelated thread and generally, unrelated questions.

The term "Cop Out" as you used it, is grossly unwarranted in this circumstance, and brings my knee up a bit, maybe my fault, but it is grossly misapplied.

You want to debate physics, science and power cord length or anything else power related? e-mail me and I'll send you Caelin's contact info, or contact me, I promise not to "cop out".

There's no "cop out" here Zaikesman. I get tired of such snide comments from anomymous posters that have nothing to lose in name calling and defaming any company they choose. The term "cop out" tipped me over, and it was unfair to use it in this context. Of course\ this is just IMO---feel free to judge my affiliation since I'm the marketing and sales director for Shunyata.

Compared to what get's propogated on these forums as legitimate info that is actually baseless speculation, covert marketing, nonsense technobabble, or chest puffing, Caelin's circa 2000 respose to antagonists posts is a--" cop out"? I beg to differ.

You claiming that bothers me. You're judging a "post" from six years ago that was not intended to answer anything in this thread. Your use of the term "cop out" simply doesn't fit, and I'm asking you to take it back. Reference us any which way you want, we're no "cop outs."

We're much more accessible for judgement than the moniker "Zaikesman" or any of the other "moniker" or fake name on this site. Shouldn't that make people act more responsibly in their comments/attacks on companies that can't hide their names? I guess not.

YMMV.

Regards,

Grant

Sorry Zaikesman,

I stayed up far too late last night and was feeling punchy after spending too many hours composing new web content.

I overreacted to your cop-out comment and replied with a vigor I should reserve for more important things.

Funny, to wake up with a fresh mind one day, and be surprised at what you wrote with a sleepy, work addled mind the night before.

My apologies.

Grant

Tplavas: Cryogenics? More fodder for lots of circular argument. I'll stear clear of that one. :-)