A stupid question(s) about power cords


As the title indicates, I admit that this is probably a stupid question. But since I don’t know (for sure) the answer, I am asking it anyway.

The recent power cord thread got me interested in a power cord upgrade (from the stock cord) on my Maranzt SA10 (SACDP). The power cord receptacle on that particular component does not have a male equipment ground pin--only the neutral and hot pins. Therefore the cord supplied by Maranzt is a two pole (if that is the right terminology) cord. But because I have done it this way before, I do know that it will accept a power cord with an equipment ground as well as a neutral and hot.

Question 1: I went to musicdirect and looked at some power cords and I saw one (an open box Audioquest NRG Z2) that they were calling a two pole cord. The end that plugs in to the component only has a neutral and a hot, but the other end, the end that plugs into the outlet in the wall, does have an equipment ground blade (so that end has three blades). Why would that be?

Question 2: (and this is the stupid one) if a power cord has an equipment ground pin plugged into the wall, even if it is not plugged into an eqipment ground in the component itself, that cord is still connected to the neutral bus bar in the panel, right? So that being the case, since the equipment ground wire in the cord is right next to the hot wire, is there a way unwanted stuff (rf or whatever, my understanding of this is quite limited) can that dirty up the power that is traveling on the hot wire  in the power cord?

I think that the answer to the last question is probably going to be ’no’? And if the answer is ’no’, that means that I really don’t need to shop for only two pole cords, right? And I see this as sort of important because if I buy a two pole cord, the ONLY component I can use it on/try it out on will be my SACDP--there will be no playing around with a two pole cord on my preamp or my amp.

And ALSO, if I don’t feel constrained to shopping ONLY for two pole cords, I would probably have more options to consider.

TIA for legitimate insight to this, and to all others, feel free to ridicule me and my question--I don’t mind.

 

 

 

immatthewj

Showing 5 responses by botrytis

@mrdecibel rhodium has 50% conductivity of copper and 70% conductivity of gold. So you are adding more resistance using rhodium as well as expense. Some rhodium compounds are highly toxic also.

Rhodium is the most expensive metal in the world currently. It is used in catalysis in the (converters in your car, albeit small amount) and in the petrochemical industry. Rhodium is currently 4750.00 USD per Oz.

Copper is the best metal for conduction of electricity. 

Realize that most commercial electrical lines, and high-power lines to your home are made of aluminum as it is cheaper.

@mrdecibel actually you are. Science doesn’t back nonsense. Cable break in is nonsense. Your ears get used to sound in that time - how can carrying electrons change? That would violate the laws of physics.

I find y'all entertaining. Please gone on - tell me I am wrong and how....

 

@audphile1 There is one big thing you missed in your list. Maybe there are no differences? That could be a possibility also.

That list was classic audiophile bullshit and arrogance.