Do powercords make a difference in sound?


Do they make a difference by upgrading stock power cords in amps, ect versus aftermarket power cords? If so, can anyone advise a good bang for the buck upgrade?
chad329
Firstly, I am not trying to start a war with anyone. This is my opinion and I hope you respect my opinion and I do respect yours.

My whole premise is that more effort could be put into audio equipment power supplies by the manufacturers to save a comsumer money in not having to spend megabucks on expensive aftermarket power cords.

I have no doubt at all that you all hear differences with different power cords. My thing is that if the power supplies were designed properly the need for fancy power cords would cease to exist provided the power cord could provide the proper current.

After a lot of practical experience, I have come to the conclusion that the effects of the following plague audio reproduction in the respect to the deliverence of AC power to audio equipment:

1.The rejection and reduction of internal radio frequency interference (RFI) and noise already present on the mains line.

2.Immunity to and rejection of additional external RFI, EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) and noise.

3.Low impedance and high current capacity, so as not to current limit any equipment.

Each of these problems could easily be addressed in the power supply of a piece of gear.

I am an engineer by trade and I have designed and built quite a bit of audio equipment including their power supplies as a hobby. My power supplies are always designed to combat the above. I am also somewhat of a diciple of Nelson Pass and his SUSY or X designs and frequent his forum on DIYaudio.

I have listened to a number of high end power cords but have chosen to build my own. I am always a fan of using the best parts I could (wire, and connectors) to build a power cord just the same as using the best components I could when building an amp or premap or my turntable.

I hope I have answered everyones questions. I don't want to write a book here. Again, I do not dispute that people hear differences. I think those differences can be minimized by better power supply design.
Liguy, I sought no war either, and I totally agree that better power supplies can minimize differences, but that is not the real issue. Are there still differences? I hear them even with some very substantial power supplies.

My real question was how do you find a worthy power cord, given your beliefs. You answered that. Thank you.
Thank you for understanding my position. For a while it felt like I was under attack for having a different opinion when in fact I always maintained that power cords do make a difference in systems with poorly designed power supplies.

The sad part is that there are some high end companies that do not put very much thought in power supply design. I wonder how many companies actually use inductors in their power amplifier power supplies or how many use regulated supplies beyond a three terminal regulator in their preamps or build in EMI and RFI filters beyond a capacitor or leave out a filter to keep DC off the input of a power transformer to eliminate transformer hum? It is certainly food for thought on why power cords make a difference or sound different on different equipment.
hi liguy:

since you are an engineer, how would you test your hypoethsis that well-designed power cords are less sensitive to power cords ?

if you could devise a rigorous experimental design i might make tou a wager that the affect of differences in the sound of a stereo as power cords vary is independent of power supply.

keep in mind there are many variables which are involved in the fabrication of power cords. in your experienece, have you used gold, totanium, palladium, and other "exotic metals ? have you used a variety of iec connectors and plugs ?, have you used a variety of dielectric materials ?

all i am suggesting is the range of parts contained within a power cord could affect the sound of a stereo system , despite the best efforts of power supply design.

i will be convinced of your hypothesis when i hear the results.
oops, typo--i meant well designed power suuplies--my bad.

i meant to say how do you test the hypothesis that well designed power supplies are insensitive to power cords ?