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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
jylee OP
306 posts
 

09-19-08: Douglas_schroeder
Jylee, you are not crazy at all. You're quite sane.

Thanks. Just what I needed to hear after a few days of watching the roller coaster ride in the stock market. Now I'm going to pour myself a glass of wine put on some music.
newbee
4,794 posts
 
Douglas, Perhaps the roots of this correcpondence goes to our differing perception of the description of what I considered a dramatic difference between the sound of his system before he put in the new PC.

His description, to me, suggested that he heard sound sourced to or around the speakers with a weak center image and boomy bass. This description is quite similar to what occures when 2 speakers are wired out of phase - a sound which when heard by novices causes them to think they are hearing a huge soundstage and really don't note that they have lost all specificity until they hear a solo instrument/voice which should appear from the dead center.

When the wiring to each speaaker is connected correctly, what do you get, a strong center image, a sense of specificity, a sense of depth, easy location of instruments in space, the disappearing of the speakers as a direct source and a tighter bass.

Based on that senerio, and I think that is a reasonable interpertation of his comments, I said that PC's could not be responsible for the before and after effects he had experienced.

If I had thought the changes were minor, assuming a degree of hyperbole in his description, I would have bought into changes brought about by inhancing the resolution capabilities of the electronics and thus enhancing speaker performance. I apparently should not have taken him literally.

I've consistently said, and I continue to say, I was never disputing what wire can do, only when and how much.

FYI, most of my PC's are solid core heavy guage (at least 10ga) wire. I've been using them for years and I stopped doing A/B comparisons for years. I've been happy with what they do.

But I don't know why I feel I must say this, but I must. In my experience PC changes do not perform HUGE changes. They can enhance the performance of a well set up good quality system which benefits from what they have to offer. Thats my opinion. Jylee, and all others for that matter, are intitled to investigate these matters for themselves and reach what ever conclusion they wish. Nuf said I think.
jylee OP
306 posts
 
If I could add some clarification in the changes I made, I removed two PCs, one from a component not being used, and one from the MCH power amp responsible for powering the center and surrounds with MCH material. Then I moved the PC from the main amp to the component not being used, and added two new PCs for the main power amp, and MCH power amp.

When listening to stereo materials, the only change made to the setup is actually the PC to the main power amp. MCH power amp is not being used, and the unused component is, er, still unused.

Perhaps I wasn't being clear about the sound _before_ the change. I understand the effects of one speaker being wired out of phase. But my setup was not wired out of phase. I had a clear center image, but very WIDE soundstage. That was one of the things I liked about my setup, big and airy soundstage, which I thought has diminished after the PC change, which in turn surprised me quite a bit. As the soundstage shrunk, the focus seemed to have improved. The change I heard was not as drastic as correcting a speaker being wired out of phase, but pretty significant considering the only change made was to the power cord..
newbee
4,794 posts
 
Jylee, your clarification is appreciated in all respects. Clearly the addition of anything that improves resolution, whether its PC's, cables, IC's, electronics, or speakers, will give you a clearer view of what is in the recording. In your case it was via a PC. In my view a reasonable audiophile goal is to get a relatively accurate reproduction of what is in the recording. Reasonable but not end all for some folks. Many prefer different speakers which give up some degree of specificity to gain a sense of wholeness in the room (Panels and many electrostats, as well as Omni's can do this very well). Horses for courses. What ever sound picture/stage you want is available and they all have trade off. FWIW. Good luck.
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