2. cables
  3. 1256217831

Power Cables which take the soundstage back

Hello,
I have almost always focused on ICs and Spk Cables...but I always knew that Power chords also make a good difference. This is the first time I am venturing seriously into power chords. I am not looking for anything fancy. Primarily I see power chords should be doing the following:

a) Clean up the background noise (because of better shielding etc) which a stock chord would not be doing a good job at.

b) Provide good current capabilities which enables to make music denser, tones get more body and especially bass gets meatier and tighter (the last one normally happens more often)

These are primarily two things I am looking at.
I have tried some power chords in the near past and I have observed one common pattern:

1. Power chords which tighten up the bass (in comparison to stock chords) also bring the images a bit forward.

2. Some Power chords do a good job of taking the soundstage further back...I dont know how and why but I have seen it happening. Some of them end up presenting a bit loose bass in the process (only some of them)

So, for me at this point, a power chord which can take the soundstage back (without introducing anomalies like loose bass) would be a wonderful addition. Thats a very critical requirement for me. I am sure you guys would have experienced power chords which do such things. I am not intending to shell out more than $200 (new or used) at this point. Kindly suggest.
pani
shellie
110 posts
 
Are you / he listening for us all or is there room for those of us who have heard "expensive" powercords make a positive difference in our "expensive" systems? What if we also feel these positive differences were well worth the price? Are we allowed to listen and trust our senses or are we to trust in something/someone else?

Please let me know what we "should" do, oh and thanks in advance.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
You might consider a MAC (My Audio Cables) HC Sound Pipe. Reasonably priced (<$200). Can't say it will do all you are looking for in your system, but it is in line with your budget. I did hear a difference when I replaced the stock power cord on my amp with one of these. Greater transparency and more high end. Led to some repositioning of my speakers as a result, so I don't think it was merely placebo. Link here http://www.myaudiocables.com/
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
It's your money, and you can certainly spend it on whatever you wish.

The contention of a large percentage of the respondents on this string is that if the power is conditioned prior to going to the amplifier or other main transformer circuit, as long as there is an ample flow of electrons, no power cord is going to effect the sound. Therefore, you are better spending the extra money on better source/preamp/amplification than a "Magic" power cord.

This is one subject that gets a lot of people on here worked up, because exotic power cords more than anything else are percieved to have a placebo effect. In other words, the science says it's a bunch of BS. There is no signal being transmitted over a power cord so how could it effect the sound? As long as there is continuous and sufficient flow of electrons to the gear, there should be no effect. The power supply of the gear is what can effect the sound.

That said, I think most on here would not dispute that you can get improvement in sound with an aftermarket power cord that has better contact, a large wire, and shielding, but that after the first level of upgrade (Signal Cable for sake of arguement) there is no appreciable improvment.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,686 posts
 
Shellie...My comments are a "tongue in cheek" attempt to bring a little humor to this thread.Humor is a good thing,more folks should try it.No one,especially me, is trying to tell you what to do or what you hear.I am in no way trying to chastise or belittle anyone's choice of equipment they have or want to have.I say "to each his/her own".Now if you will excuse me,I have a new set of valhalla ic's waiting to be connected to my sony 300 disc juke box!!!! Ta-ta.
hifitime
715 posts
 
Shellie, try a outboard D/A converter on your Sony 300 disc player,and it might start sounding like music.No power cord could change it.That wouldn't be a waste of money.You could use it on other sources too.I have tried numerous cords that friends bought and tried out.They all sold them.I heard them on systems that priced out at $250,000,maybe more.The dealers even will tell you once they get to know you,they sell them to customers that insist they are better.They have to have them there for appearance.They will go along with what the customer wants to stay in business.The one will tell the customer,"we think it sounds better".If they tell the customer what they really think,that may make the customer walk out door.They have to play the game.They said they have a good profit margin on them too.
More to discover