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Power cords and soundstage

So I made a couple of changes in my system yesterday. I've acquired new power cords, and replaced/rearranged the power cords for two of the amps.

By the way I consider myself as semi-skeptic and semi-believer of good cables. I've heard subtle difference and improvement on some of the cables. But in most cases either I can't reliably tell which is which, or if I can tell the difference it is very small. I don't own exotic cables. Some of the brands I own include Audioquest, Kimber, Analysis Plus, and a few home-brewed, but well received power cords.

When I changed the power cords yesterday I heard immediate, and distinct difference. I can't say whether I like or dislike the changes yet, but the change is unmistakable.

Even my wife, who is music enthusiast but indifferent when it comes to the system change, commented today and said she thought the center speaker is "too strong". I've then explained that there is no sound coming out from the center speaker with the CD that she was listening.

Some of the differences that I've heard with the new power cords are the following:

Bass: Immediately I heard and felt that the amount of bass from the main speakers were smaller. It is definitely less boomy, and became tighter. I'm afraid the bass doesn't extend as low as before. So I've gained some and lost some.

Focus: focus, soundstage, whatever you call it, has tightened up as well. The bright side of it is now the speakers have completely disappeared. However it doesn't sound as extended from left to right as before. And as my wife noticed the sound is seemingly coming out from the center speaker, although the center speaker is off. No, I didn't hit dolby pro logic button by mistake. The only speakers that are producing any SPL are left and right speakers. The instrument location is still clearly defined, but overall left right soundstage is now much smaller. Here again, I've gained some and lost some.

Depth: This is one area that clearly was improved. It may sound like a cliche, but the noise floor seemed to have decreased, there is more micro dynamics, and it sounds deeper.

Now I'm more confused than ever, and I'm questioning my sanity..
jylee
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Newbee, HUH? You said, "this weekend I made a change in my system which amounted to only removing/changing a source..." and you seem surprised that the sound was different. ONLY a source change? You talk as though swapping the source won't effect anything, and you're surprised that the cables sound different?

Changing the source is a potentially HUGE factor in changing the sound. Take cdp's, from one to the next there can be a big difference in presentation. It wasn't your cables which made the difference, if in fact you swapped sources, but the new source itself! Now, if you moved cables around and put them in new locations and kept the same source, there also could be a difference audible. But the way you stated it makes it sound like you dismiss the effect a different source has on the rig.

If you think different sources don't do much then it's no wonder you struggle with the idea that a cable can make a difference!
Post removed 
newbee
4,796 posts
 
Douglas, I think you misunderstand my post and what I was trying to accomplish, and read far to much into my statement about a personal experience in component/system adjustments. Different sources make a profound difference in systems as do different pre-amps, amps, and speakers, and in my case tube selection as well. The sonic possibilities of the many different combinations seem infinite. Sometimes it is sort of like a mule standing equal distance between multiple haystacks.

FWIW I have multiple sources (listed in my systems), including 3 digital sources, none of which have changed. I also have multiple amps that I combine with different sources for different sonic resons dependent on the musical experience I want to enjoy. What did change was my FM tuner, I replaced it with a different Tuner and an FM signal amplifier, and removed a CD Transport/Dac not listed in systems, along with a selector 'box' connecting the two to my system's preamp. In order to do this I had to move about other components which required some IC disconnections and subsequent reconnections (same IC's to thesame components. Same PC's to the same components. No changes. When I was done I 'thought' I detected a sonic change in my system that bridged all sources, so I must assume it was sourced to my amp or pre amp, and consisted of some increase in upper bass energy. And I assumed that it could have been due to IC/Cable/PC dressing. If there was in fact an increase or if it was just my imagination at work was not an issue for me as I found the change agreeable. It was a subtle, not a night and day, or live or die, experience.

BTW, I don't think I struggle much with the idea that wiring and its implementation CAN make a difference. However, when I decide to dedicate time changing my basic system's performance, I find I enjoy fine tuning and finding synergy thru tube rolling. You want to tune thru cables, PC's, and IC's that is fine with me. I've long ago investigated wiring and decided on IC's, PC's and Speaker cables appropriate to my my needs.

The original poster's observations of the differences in his system, before and after the insertion of a new PC, were IMHO, classically, the description of a system with phase 'issues' going to one without phase issues. My comments were meant to invite knowledgable audiophiles to comment about PC's and how the delivery of current to a component can alter phase relationships. That's all it amounts to. So far a couple have signed in on this issue.

Do you have any imput on THIS issue? Or do you just like to take pot shots at those you feel are putting down the effect of something you find important?
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Newbee, No pot shot intended at all. I was just incredulous over your post. You began with a put down of those who suggest there's large difference to be had via different PCs, and you ended with a nebulous description of changing a source, and then commenting on a possible perceived difference. Your more recent reply clarifies things nicely. I have no agenda against you. :)

I do not know if this link is directly applicable to audiophile power cords, but I did a search for "power cable invert phase" and found this:

http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/balanced/cable-balanced.html

It seems to suggest that polarity is often confused with phase.

It does not seem logical to me that phase can be inverted/influenced by a properly made standard power cable, and this article seems to support it. I am open to being educated on this by those more knowledgeable.

In all cordiality, I think you are wrong with the theory that power cords are influencing the phase, and that is causing the audible differences when different PC's are used. I would suggest the conductors, geometry and total gauge would be the primary causes to changes in performance.

When I conduct interviews with cable manufacturers, they never speak of phase in relation to their products. They discuss importance of the things I have mentioned.
newbee
4,796 posts
 
Douglas, Contrary to your impression, I also do not think PC's can alter phase and I was inviting observations from others. Sometimes my statements are more figurative, more open to interpertation, than to be taken literally. Sometimes intentionally so, for no purpose other than to stir up the gray matter a tad.

What I did was accept the validity of the posters observations AND the correctness in my associating the observations by him of differences in the before PC/after PC to phase (or even polarity as your post reminds me to say) issues.

I was, by my apparently inept analogy, trying to suggest that his experince might have origins in other things, albeit it to him it seemed like it was just the result of a PC change. And, I did not assume that his experience was caused by anything specific, especially wire dressing, but was merely tring to open the subject of cause and effect to him.

An interesting aside, no one yet has disagreed with my assumption that the issues involved were related to underlying phase/polarity issues?

FWIW, one of the things about audio consumerism that I dislike, and have to restrain myself from commenting on, is the profit based recommendations from some, who make 'grand' statements (IMO) about the effect of some products and tweaks often in totally inapplicable circumstances, and in disproportion to the needs of the user. (A 'Bose' system user will not benefit from 5K speaker cable, when some zip cord will do about as much as he could reasonably expect.) The power of suggestion is a not to be underrated as powerfully sales tool.
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