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Still mystified by mega expensive power cords

AC travels miles from the substation, enters my house, goes into a panel, then runs to my hifi equipment. Once inside the equipment it goes through whatever wiring the manufacturer used. I don't understand how the few feet from the outlet to the back of the gear can make some of the dramatic changes claim (low end goes down another octave, deeper wider soundstage, etc). My thought is that as long as the power cord is shielded so that it's not working like an antenna, properly grounded, and of sufficient guage so that you're not loosing juice to heat, and has contacts that make a solid connection, any power cable should sound like the next, especially since the AC coming in is rectified and smoothed.

I'm not looking for flames, but for those that believe in power cables, enlighten me. Or said another way, can that $11,000 plus power cable I saw today possiblet do more than fatten the manufacturer's wallet?
zavato
zavato's avatar
zavato OP
1,415 posts
 
I've read plenty and heard plenty. I remain mystified though. Delivering 120v, 20 amps isn't that tough. Tight connections, adequate AWG, ground and shield. Back in the day when I used to change my own oil I believe I would have bought a length of belden, some good connectors and went to work. I suspect that's exactly what any number of purveyors of high priced power cords do. And they add a techflex cover too.

Maybe I am in business! OPM Cable and Wire in now born!
french_fries
815 posts
 
If you have a power amp that needs considerable current to do its job, the power cord should be of a decent quality to match- IMHO $500-$1K is enough money to do the job properly. As for source components, with the exception of tube preamps and/or other pieces using a bit more than the usual amount of current, the cord should be well made, especially the terminations. Flexibility is a big plus when trying to hook up everything behind a rack system or cabinet.
In regards to extremely expensive power cords, if there is something else i need to know about (of a scientific nature), i would like to be educated further so i "can get excited" over them as well.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,645 posts
 
Well you should be equally mystified why the capacitor, tranny, connector or wire or resistor etc...in your gear would make any difference! Same exact question should plague and not plague you for consistency sake.

Goodness, what can a few feet of wire or a passive part inside our gear do after all those miles and miles of power from the station to the house and then inside our house? Ha!

What about IC's and speaker cable? What can they do after all that spider web of power lines into and in our homes?

Well the simple answer to your question and all like is this. Gear and wire is designed to fix or maximize our music system because of all that comes ahead of it! You need a good power cord because of the very fact that miles and miles of stuff before it needs help to play the best sounding music possible in your home. Is that not the very definition of our need for high end gear and cables and conditioners etc...When you question the power cord you really question all of Hi Fidelity . No kidding.

Power supplies in our gear and on and on are designed and needed to help sort out and maximize the very thing that mystifies you.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
So here's the drill. Put on Jennifer Warnes' Famous Blue Raincoat and listen. Swap in expensive power cord and listen to FBR again with attention to minute changes. Swap back in original PC and listen again to confirm differences.
I can't think of a way to make the exciting experience music provides more boring. Think I'll join Elizabeth in that nap.
rja's avatar
rja
2,384 posts
 
I agree 100% with Grannyring. Instead of posting this thread you would be better served by trying a variety of PCs in you system. You are free to come to any conclusion you wish but it should be "a posteriori" rather than mere speculation.
I will agree that $11,000 might be a "bit" more than a well engineered PC should cost, unless it can cook gourmet meals and pour a nice cocktail.
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