How can power cords make a difference?

I will try to help you Fpeel, but have no more real understanding than you of what is going on. Mmccoy, the scepticism in your question seems to spring from an assumption that the only purpose of a power cord is to transfer volts and current from the wall to the component. If that were so then I reckon I would be with you on this one, and a few years ago felt the same way. In much playing with power cords I have come to believe that you can tailor the sound to some degree with use of different geometry (at least) and seems to be through manipulating resonance of some sort. I have first-hand experience of making power cords perform this trick. Secondly, cable geometry and shielding can reduce noise. I theorise that we are talking about harmonics in the audio band, caused by high frequency noise getting onto the line. Neither the harmonic issue or the RF or EMI noise issue are controversial, but it appears that the nay-sayers believe that the components' power supplies will do this job much better than a few feet of cable will and so disbelieve that it happens. In the end, you need to listen to a few power cords and decide for yourself whether or not there is a difference. The majority of nay-sayers on this site with respect to this subject do not appear to have done that.

You hit the nail on the head redkiwi (re: my assumption that the only purpose of a power cord is to transfer volts and current from the wall to the component). I certainly don't mean to appear snide whatsoever, but what other purpose does a power cord serve?

Thus my unsophisticated observation that beyond gauge and mechanical connection, everything else might be, umm... great marketing?

Beyond that, I could definately see how noise shielding might be beneficial even tho, as others apparently have before me, my own 'logic' surmises the components power supply should rectify (no pun intended) any potential problems in this area. And I would think certainly so if the component is considered high end, audiophile quality.

Unfortunately it's a moot point for me. At 53 yoa I doubt my poor ol ears could discern what would have to be very subtle differences in sound quality. I just wanted to better understand how/why someone would pay up to $2K for a power cable.

In any case, whether real or perceived, I envy you and others that CAN hear a difference in reproduced music simply by changing a power cord.

Mmccoy, an inexpensive test worked for me: buy a piece of heavy gauge double insulation cord (flexible, of a kind used in industrial applications) an IEC and a wall plug. Make a pc out of it (you may connect the shielding on the wall socket end and leave bare on the other, if you wish). Connect this cord to a piece in your chain that would easily reveal differences (if any are perceived) with stock cord -- say, the pre. Give your new pc time to settle in the system, "burn in" if you will.

The excercise will cost little and, if rejected from audio, the cord can be used happily for other household items.

Cheers!

Mmccoy. I cannot help thinking you are falling into a trap that many or perhaps all of us have fallen into from time to time, and that some here seem to be utterly captured by. It is important in any endeavour like ours to have some basis for guessing which direction might lead to progress with enjoying reproduced music. This means we naturally develop theories. The trap I refer to is believing that our prevailing theories are sufficient and complete that we need to do no more than deduce knowledge from them. My experience does not support your deductions that power supplies render power cord quality as redundant, nor your conclusions that the sound difference must be small, nor the conclusion that at 53 you would not hear the difference.

In the end you must decide whether the many here that agree with me have sufficient credibility with you to cause you to try some decent power cords. I was sceptical when I first tried a decent power cord but was open minded enough to give it a try and just listen - in my case, not expecting to hear anything at all different. What I have found is that the difference between different power cords is very similar to the difference between speaker cables in my system. Depending on your perspective this is either a lot, not much, or nothing at all. For me, it is a lot.

Therefore I am happy to spend a similar amount on power cords as I have spent on my speaker cables. If you think I am just deluded by marketing, then I would add that the first decent power cord I tried, was before I ever saw any advertisement or review or recommendation for esoteric power cords. My local dealer simply handed two to me and said "try these and tell me what you think". Believe me, I have tried lots of his suggestions and returned the kit later and told him what a load of junk they were.

Red & Greg, two excellent posts. I have an even more severe test for you Mmccoy. Take solid core 14/2 or 12/2 Romex and attach the appropriate male/female IEC ends, and compare that to your stock 16/2 or 16/3 stranded PC. You should immidiately hear some pretty big differences in sound. Usually, brighter, glassier and harder than the stock cord. Of, course this is also bad sound, but should be sufficient enough for anyone to hear, and therefore know this is a real occurence. Perhaps Red or Greg have also tried this in the past. The PC that showed me the light, was manufactured by the now defunct, DISCRETE TECHNOLOGY company. When the stock PCs on QUAD ESL-63s were replaced with this, the speaker became a legend to my ears, back in 1985 or so..........Frank