The best Neutral Power cord ?

I'd be interested to know how a power cord can be other than neutral. Are there bright power cords? Dark ones? The only difference I've noticed, as an improvement, is hearing more of what I take to be the recorded musical signal coming through the speakers. But what could "neutral" mean? I know what it means for interconnect and speaker cables, but .....

Hi Tom_nice, PCs do have a sound like ICs and speaker cable. For example the Shunyata Black Mamba is a bit dark and sweet. The PS audio lab cable will sound neutral in comparison to the BM. The FIM PC will sound more neutral than the lab cable if that makes any since. I understand using the term neutral but I don't remember walking out of a concert and saying to myself that the performance sure sounded neutral tonight. I guess I look at PCs the same way as I do all wire. They all have a sound. Some sound better than others. Unfortunatly it seems the more you are willing to spend the better the PC will sound. I suppose when they make a PC that does not have a sound then it can be called neutral. I hope I have helped more than confused.

Nice post Brulee. And I really liked your comment "the performance sure sounded neutral tonight"-- that's a great perspective. I've had excellent results with Syn. Res. Master Couplers on all components-- availabe used for $160 to 180. I also like the Cardas Golden which is a little darker, richer. Based on Brulee's brief description, I'd like to try the Shunyata Black Mamba as I prefer music with a dark and sweet bias (if we admit there is always a bias?). Cheers. Craig.

I too wonder whether neutral is really the best term. To me the issue is that power cords do something to reduce the grain structure that mains-borne noise imposes on our music, and also alter the grain structure. When the grain structure finds harmonics with the music it accentuates that part of the spectrum - which in turn causes a sense of brightness, darkness, harshness or sweetness. I have played around with power cable design and construction a bit and suspect that this is what is happening. First issue is to reduce the grain, second issue is to get a grain structure that interferes with the music least. I respectfully disagree with Brulee - I regularly go to our local concert hall and lament how it destroys the vibrancy of violin and brass tone, and go to my local jazz haunt and have a very slight cringe at the relatively bright acoustics, yet welcome the fact that it contributes to capturing the energy of the performers.

There is a DIY Bob Crump power cord for sale at the Audio Asylum Auction. Looks like the current bid is .05 so that should be in your budget :)