Ching Cheng Power Cords

quoting Nonoise "I believe practically all manufacturers of high end gear, including Nelson Pass, put a basic power cord that meets all minimum safety requirements. It doesn't mean it's good enough."

Exactly true. And the argument that a hi-end manufacturer wouldn't include a power chord that would compromise the sound of their equipment is an old one which that particular crowd likes to use. You can experiment for yourself for not much cash. The VH Audio offerings are mostly under $200 depending on the length you need and they will satisfy most people.

The Ching Cheng power cords are not only less expensive than
the cheapest audiophile cords, they're also good enough
that Pass is willing to ship them out with $10,000 amps.
If they made equipment sound bad, that simply wouldn't be
the case.

Look at it this way too. If Pass decided the Nordost Odin PC sounded the best with those amps it would double the cost (11K for the Odin PC). Then that may not be the right cable to match with the rest of everyones system. Sales would plummet.

That said cables IMO should be the last tweak done to a system once you've settled on the best you can afford.

That said cables IMO should be the last tweak done to a system once you've settled on the best you can afford.

~~~

Thanks, that is exactly the point, and the tact that I'm currently pursuing. Go with something sufficient until the equipment is all settled down, and then when there's extra money and you need something to play with, experiment with cables.

And yes, I knew that I'd get the above arguments... clearly amp manufactures can't afford to also include exotic cords, but they're also motivated to ensure that what you open up out of the box sounds sufficiently good so that you don't regret the purchase.

Anyway, thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. I'll come back to the thread and do some experimentation next time dropping $300-400 doesn't feel like it's taking a chunk out of the monthly income (unfortunately I have mono-blocks).

Just thought I'd mention "The Absolute Power Cord Mk II" that GTT Audio & Video sells. I believe it's 8' long and sells for $45 plus shipping. I own some of the original ones that I purchased years ago and they were a lot of bang for the buck. I sent them out to be cryogenically treated, which improved them even more so after break in.
I don't know if these power cords are still available but if they are and a person wants to save some money and upgrade a stock power cord it is something to consider.

FYI:
I just found out the Absolute Power Cord MkII is no longer available. GTT said it will be replaced by the Absolut Power Cork MK III sometime in the future.