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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
1,484 posts
 
Horchai, click on my post links above ^^
lacee
811 posts
 
I just did that.
I changed the old IEC on my Acoustat tube servo amps for the top Furutech ones.

Not an easy job, some widening of the opening and some innovative(glue/sealant)mounting of the Furutech iec, but well worth the cost and effort.

Everytime I do something to upgrade the electrical pathway to my components it always improves the claity of the sound.

I didn't get more or deeper bass after this upgrade, but I do notice more inner details such as cymbal shimmer and better defined background voices/instruments.The timing of the system, if you are into that, also picks up,the music doesn't plod along anymore.Like taking away a beaver dam blocking the flow of a river.

I can't state it enough, everything you do to improve the quality of the electricity from the panel to the component,will improve the sound of that component.

The quality of the products you use do matter.
Furutech hasn't disappointed me yet or make me regret the cost.
Try the GtX receptacle at the end of a 20 amp dedicated line.
Then add some Furutech electrical ends,to some quality Furutech wire and plug into a Furutech quality IEC.

Look at this as a component upgrade.
You may not feel the need to swap out gear as much.
rockyboy
335 posts
 
My 2 cents. We have to remember that this is a hobby (and an expensive one). For most of us, we don't have "needs"; we have "wants". Fact - some wire can sound better than others. Fact - it can be ridiculously expensive. Fact - we don't need it; what we currently have probably sounds pretty darn good. But if we have the extra money, would it be fun to "improve" our sytem? - yes. I look at it this way, as long as you're paying your bills, keeping food on the table, providing for your family, etc., buy the better _______ (fill in the blank), provided you can afford it and have fun with it.
But the reality is, there's the law of diminishing returns in this hobby. At a certain point it costs a lot to reap a small gain in a system (wire being a good example). Again, it's a hobby; enjoy it while you can.
lacee
811 posts
 
But you don't need to spend the big bucks to make an improvement.
Everyone goes into sticker shock, and gives up too soon.

If you can't afford the pricey stuff,you most certainly can afford a few bucks and DIY.

For the cost of a couple of good connectors,under a hundred bucks ,I think most folks in this hobby can afford that amount.

It's a shame that a few dollars can deprive someone of enjoying the hobby even more than they are now.

That's the cost of a couple 200 gram re-issues.

Less than some folks spend on tube rolling,certainly less than investing in new interconnects or speaker wires.
Yet drawing a line in the sand when it comes to power cords is still an issue.

The older I get, the less time I have to enjoy my music and the system that brings it to me.
So I try and make the best of that time,listening to music with the least amount of compromises.

A fact which you younger hobbyists will come to realize as the years go by.
donjr OP
1,335 posts
 
Hi everyone. I didn't realize this was still going. I did end up replacing the power cord on my CDP with a Audioquest NRG2 back in November and didn't notice any significant change if any at all. I was hoping for some eye opening experience like I had with the Rogue. The NRG4 is one of the most significant upgrades I've made.

Fuses might be my next investment and I may try the KT120's but I also have to swap out the top to my amp to fit the larger tube.

I can't believe I'm getting into tweaks. You have to be careful, but I can see where when you get to a certain point an upgrade shouldn't necessarily always be a component. I'm good with room treatments and speaker placement so this stuff is just fun and a non stressful way to make adjustments.

If you don't believe a power cord could possibly make any difference in your system, keep what you have and enjoy yourself. I would still be in your shoes if it wasn't for a close friend that I trusted who told me I would notice a big difference. If I had never done it I wouldn't know and I'd be just as happy as I am now, but with a little more money in my pocket. It's a hobby after all, and I'm glad i didn't choose rock or stamp collecting.
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