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Do powercords make a difference? A Test.

Well, I had this crazy idea that I could record the noise coming out of my speakers to evaluate different power cords in terms of noise reduction. Really simple and really stupid actually. I mean, if one powercord has more noise than another then maybe there's a difference.

I know a lot of people swear by the differences they can actually hear when adding an aftermarket powercord. And perhaps that's true, for some people. I have a hard time really telling the difference, though.

So here's what I did. And like I said it's really simple and really stupid!

I have a high end microphone and a USB preamp. I positioned the microphone tip like a half inch from the right channel tweeter. I then hooked up a basic powercord to my amp with no source components powered on. My DAC goes to a passive pre-amp and then from there to the amp. So I just kept my DAC powered down - no big deal, at least I think.

All I did was turn on the amp and record for about 5 seconds. I did this several times with multiple combinations. I tested a PS Audio Lab Cable, a Pangea AC-9, and the basic free cord we all have stored on a shelf somewhere.

So, what did I find? To my surprise you can actually hear the difference. But get this, the cheap power cord and the Pangea AC-9 are almost identical! I was not expecting that. And the PS Audio Lab Cable is by far the least noisy of what I've got.

I know this is not the typical way these cords are measured but how else can one really know what works and what doesn't? It's all about noise right? And the idea is to have less noise. Isn't that right?

Anyone else try this?
robpriore
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
I like the way you think; however, in theory a significant part of how a power cord can perform given the power demands of the music. You may be onto something for sources and such, but you are missing a big part of the picture for amplifiers.

I can hear my Apple AirPort Extreme through my tweeters when using my tube amp. Are you certain that nothing else was effecting you tests?
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
I think you should patent the idea and sell it as an audiophile tweak for several hundred dollars. Come up with a catchy name and you may well be able to make enough to retire early.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I liked that approach. You can also analyse plots visually if there's a software to it.
I don't deal with aftermarket powercords because I simply believe that it's a marketting scam more than science or research and prices are not justified regardless of weather there's a difference or not.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,907 posts
 
Blue Circle audio has been doing something similar for years for their power conditioners. There's a youtube video where they demonstrate the effectiveness of their power conditioners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Noc2OA-xWCM.

It's conceivable that one can take that "noise sniffer" and plug it into various power cords to hear which one "sounds" best but I doubt that any power cord, by itself, can sound as clean as a power conditoner. In fact, the better cords just may sound worse. It would be nice if someone tried it out.

All the best,
Nonoise
hifiharv
351 posts
 
It certainly is not just about the noise. Power cables have an effect on other aspects of the sound as well. Not to belittle your experiment... it's very interesting. But, you are only comparing one criteria by which we judge cables. I'd gladly take a little noise along with a great sounding cable, rather than a quiet cable with lesser sound.
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