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Power Cords - Just Say Yes

I'm the biggest cable skeptic on the planet. I've never been able to tell the difference between one speaker cable over the other. I've never a/b tested because I just can't handle that sort of thing when all I want to do is listen to music. The power cord however is a whole different beast. I know. I just replaced a 18/3 that was powering my Rogue Cronus Magnum for two years with an Audioquest NRG4. I know some people aren't fans of AQ but that's what my local guy sells and I support him 100%. He sold me a broken in demo which is exactly what I wanted. I didn't do an a/b test and I didn't have to. I pulled the old one out and tossed it in the copper recycling pile and replaced it with the AQ. I fired up my amp this morning and let her warm up. I pulled out Sylvain Luc & Bireli Agrene's 'Duet' and hit the play button on the remote. Right off the bat I had to blink my eyes to make sure I was actually in my house. Everything tightened up with a dead silent background. I feel like a fool for waiting so long to come around on this one. I'm still skeptical of whether or not I will notice a difference when I replace the power cord to my CDP, but if you tell me I'll notice I might believe you. Either way, that's my next investment.
donjr
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,483 posts
 
I said "can make more or less of a difference" not will make.

My experience (and others whom I know) dictates what I said and I stand by it. YMMV.
lacee
811 posts
 
An upgraded power cord can make "less of a difference"?

In my experience and in every system I've heard one used,there was always a difference for the positive.

There will always be a difference, how can there not?

Every power cord , stock, DIY or expensive name brand has a different contruction and has been used for different periods of time,which could be beneficial or detrimental ,depending on which side of the burn in/worn out side of the fence you're perched on.

I suppose you can make the same statement with all things in audio?

So why bother with tube rolling or capapcitor upgrades if doing so will only make more or less of a difference?

If what you have been using only makes "less of a difference", then perhaps you should try a little harder and broaden your search.

The good stuff is out there.

And besides just being different, what you'll hear will be an improvement.

My experience,and that of all "others whom I know" who have done the same.

Peace on earth my friend.
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,483 posts
 
I am onto good stuff, such as Duelund Cast caps, they make bigger differences, you should try them if you can.

I'm cabled out with everything else and I've run the gamut with high $$ to DIY PC's.

What I mean by more or less is, anything "above" a stock cord as far as sound quality is concerned.
csmgolf
897 posts
 
I think what Rx8man is saying is that the same power cord used on 2 different components may not yield the same improvement from component A to component B. Nowhere in his statement did he say that there is no improvement. My experience mirrors Rx8man's. Trust me, it is not because I am not using or trying aftermarket power cables. IME some components are not affected as much as others by upgrading the power cables, though the sound is improved. I also think your statements are far more alike than different. YMMV.
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,483 posts
 
Thanks Csmgolf, I pressed 1 for English but it didn't work well enough. YMMV.
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