Do powercords make a difference in sound?

To the OP: Powercords do have noticeable and reliable effects: they noticeably and reliably start threads just like this one!

Although I won't presume to say what you *should* do, I'll presume to say what you *will* do. If you stay in the hobby, you'll fool around with powercords, simply because it's fun to play, and wire is a comparatively low cost way to do so: much easier to get a $300 PC past the home administration than a $3000 amp.

The wire skeptics have all played with powercords (if they haven't, they shouldn't be posting about powercords). Why shouldn't you have fun too?

Enjoy!

John

To answer the original question: based on my experience, and assuming the proper gauge for each application, *some* competently constructed power cables can affect the sound by:

a) lowering noise (line, RFI, etc); and
b) reducing impedance from the wall to the power supply vs other cables (thus improving impulse response, where required).

The audible effects can vary based on the resolution of the connecting component and the quality of its power supply, as well as affect the sound of components not necessarily directly connected with said cords (because said competently constructed cords radiate less noise, especially at the basic frequency of 50-60Hz; components that benefit so indirectly are usually phono stages)

hi rrog:

when something sounds good, where audiophiles are involved, there is usually some disagreement. what constitutes "good" sound is subjective, so, i repeat, undeniable and opinion are oxymorons.

I guess I've always had equipment with good power supplies.

It is really ridiculous when the
"disbelievers" start speaking like politicians who have been asked a direct question then never actually address an applicable answer.
Here it is folks, it is undeniable, it is not opinion, it is not subject to interpretation...
A well designed aftermarket powercord when compared to a typical stock powercord [in an adequately resolving system which many/most of us already have ] can be readily distinguished from the stock cable repeatedly and consistently in blind testing over and over again. I have made this claim on previous threads about this and will re-state it again: thousands of audiophiles do this all the time...it is what helps them choose WHICH aftermarket cable they are going to spend their hard earned money ON...
This is a fact. Repeatedly choosing the correct cable 100% of the time (as I can in my system) is proof that powercords are audibly different from each other.
Period. Argument over.