A stupid question(s) about power cords

My mistake on the rhodium mix up--I am more than half blind and I am also computer-retarded and I did not note that rhodium is only an available option as is gold for plating.

@gs5556  , thank you for that explanation!  That makes total sense when it is explained that way.  

I'll thank you again on this thread, @audphile1  !  I was just about to post a topic on "digital" inquiring about about a good match with the SA10.    I'll research the Nordost Heimdall 2.  My SA10 is in front of a Cary SLP 05 which is in front of a Cary V12.  I love the detail, but if it warmed up a bit it wouldn't bother me.  The salesman at MD who sold me the SA10 told me it would really benefit from a better power cord, but I halfway didn't take that completely seriously, as that's what salesmen are paid to say, but I've always wondered about it.

@immatthewj just sold SA10 few months ago. Nordost Heimdall 2 was a nice match with it. Opened up the top end a bit and improved clarity. Give it a shot.

@audphile1 , I found that cord on MD (I think MD has a 15% off sale going on right now) and I am assuming you had a 3 pole cord?And as an aside, I just got done reading a SA10 horror story that you were a participant of in the digital forum. One of the takeaways from that thread (there were many) was that you are not a big fan of the SA10. I was impressed with the sonic presentation of mine; however, with that typed, I don’t have a lot to compare with--it was my first SACDP (SACD really impresses me) and prior to that I was listening to three pieces of 1990s digital separates that I am sure are, digitally speaking, obsolete,

@audphile1  , I think I'll do that tomorrow if that 15% off is still good (I just got the "limited time" email from them today)..  As far as the SA10, I have the feeling that you are travelling in a different league than I am, so that being typed, it is probably easier to impress me.  Thanks for the input--itis appreciated.

No... Even if the 3 wire power cord is an OEM power cord the placement of the safety equipment grounding conductor between the Hot and Neutral current carrying conductors is in what is called the null zone. The electromagnetic fields in the null zone cancel each other out.

 

As for this:

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?

I don't think I've even seen a so called polarized audio grade two pole male plug.

Lots of two pole grounding type male plugs though. (Cost, price = demand.)

@jea48  , thank you for your thorough answer to the question.

I truly wanted to make fun of you but you know way more about power cords than I ever will. Nerd.

@grislybutter , If that’s to me, I actually know almost nothing at all about power cords and that’s why I am so hesitant to take the plunge. But as far as making fun . . . I did preface the thread by inviting ridicule, so I have it coming. I am glad I checked with you before I took the wet towels down from behind my speakers.

Ridiculing, belittling are almost inevitable, given the vast differences in knowledge

Unfortunately that leaves me little to make fun of, but I still try :)

@grislybutter , that should make me fair game for you. But not to worry--I actually do have a sense of humor.

humor is not a widely understood concept here.

@mrdecibel  , this one?

@mrdecibel  , it must be this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Audiophile-IEC320-C15-Connector-Subwoofer-Turntable/dp/B09L4R1FJ3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2W2HPCRAOPMBH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yq2OsR1i_pBcUO6FyZGwiGHp52t-8IjaP1U3v0YUT1xzAYbbEPOK5x8qhLmmOsFjl-Z2DJsNdlSUWyoVOoaYn1u32MHKA2tUo3w5tW0PVyuK9cLSNb7zvg4eLppUNi5-jGBDadC1Birw6Lkh3Xk7GNeDX9zUztnMFjeQyDFBzTBDgr2A-upK0GsS-KLT9_q6-SmQAB9m2Y2Cdx0R1J3JO7w_4qrGU2SsqpVCnb77YWk.JSnQznc2uY7p66Q6BE2E844paAgTOpVyCBoCPNkfO_E&dib_tag=se&keywords=10%2Bawg%2Baudiophile%2Bpower%2Bcord%2Bpreffair&qid=1715202016&sprefix=%2Caps%2C245&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Rhodium is a touch brighter at the very top, vs copper. Copper is smoother, possibly the safer bet.

@mrdecibel I appreciate your time and help.  But I am a bit confused (as per usual).  The last one I selected that you said was the one I was looking for is Rhodium plated and there are gold plated options; if Rhodium is a bit brighter, wouldn't one want to steer towards another option?  Just asking. . . .

ALSO:  as far as the shell, would plastic be less apt to conduct RF?

I’m pretty sure Marantz knows how to wire their equipment before sending it to US.

@hasmarto , I was not saying that they didn't.  I was just asking if there was a downside to having an equipment ground wire connected to the neutral bus bar if that neutral ground wire was not needed (as it would not be connected to the component).  I didn't feel that this should be an issue, but who knows--I have been wrong before about stuff I was reasonably confident about.  That's why I asked.

@mrdecibel  , it has got to be this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Audiophile-IEC320-C15-Connector-Subwoofer-Turntable/dp/B09L4YB1JZ?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

Rhodium is a touch brighter at the very top, vs copper. Pick your poison.

@mrdecibel  , is that the main difference between all of those 10 gauge Preffair power cords?  Rhodium versus copper?

@mrdecibel  , this one?

Well, the one that I THOUGHT I had ordered was rhodium plated (2 meters).  However, when I checked on the 'my orders' on my Amazon account, I actually ordered gold plated (2 meters).  But I am okay with that because if anything I wouldn't mind if my system warmed up just a tad.  And no biggy, because for $50 I am willing to experiment a couple of times.

@audphile1 , I suppose that to be honest I do fit into a couple of the categories on the list. Although, with all things being relative, my equipment is probably okay, my room is small and acoustically untreated and I am near-field listening (unobstructed equilateral triangle) which I have read on this site may take the room somewhat out of the equation. And I suppose that it is possible that I either lack the ability to hear all sonic changes or I may lack the ability to realize that I am hearing all the differences.

However I would say that: I did make a couple of equipment upgrades in the last four years (the SA10 that was kind of the driver for this thread and a SLP-05) and I was able to hear the differences, particularly with the SLP-05. Also I will say that I have been rolling some pairs of 6SN7s in the balanced input sockets of the SLP-05 and when I put a real nice pair in there, I definitely do hear it. Also, with good source material in the SA10, the sonic effect works magic on me. As an example, last night I played three discs that I liked the music on: the Sony SBM (redbook) remaster of Born To Run sounded like nails on a chalkboard, the MFSL redbook of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road sounded better on certain tracks but overall not a whole lot better, but when I put the MFSL/SACD of Cowboy Junkies Whites Off Earth Now . . . as I typed--magic. I wish my oldy but moldys could sound that good.

So with that last paragraph typed, I am not completely devoid of the ability to hear, and I’ll just have to see/hear how it goes. I’d also say that way way back in the days when I upgraded speaker wires and interconnects, I do not remember being slapped in the face with an "OMG, that sounds better!" but I do know that I felt a contentment when I was listening that drove me to listen longer and more frequently. Of course, I have no doubt that my hearing was better back then.

By the way I had no intention to sound obnoxious or arrogant with that list I posted earlier.

@audphile1  , I didn't take it that way at all--those all seem to me to be legitimate reasons.  Especially as far as hearing goes.

I think that there are some subtle sonic changes that can occur without certain listeners (and I include myself) from consciously realizing that the changes are actually occurring.  But I also think that they add up and make for a more pleasurable listening experience, although some listeners (myself included) do not always immediately recognize why they are finding it more enjoyable.

I already know what the response to this theory is.  

@audphile1 , it is installed connecting my SA10 to the grid and I put 3.5 hours on it tonight.  (in truth, I unplugged my system after I finished up this evening, so is not presently connected.)   I am starting out dabbling my toes in the water with the Preffair. I actually went with the gold plated option, because if Rhodium does make it a tad brighter, that is the opposite way I want to go as my system stands now. I love that SLP-05, but it is definitely not what my idea of a warm preamp is. Which I am not saying is a bad thing, but, again, if anything , my system could sound a touch warmer without hurting my feelings or my ears.

Speaking of preamps, I am going to get one for that also. However, I am thinking maybe I should put the cord that I just bought on to the preamp and go with the carbon fiber version for the SA10? I remember reading a previous power cord thread, and it was suggested that digital might benefit from being shielded?

Thanks, @mrdecibel  , I was going to get back with you later on today and see what your opinion of that was.  As I typed a bit previously, I opted for gold plated as if I could get a bit more warmth going, I'd be happy.  So that settles it, I guess I am going to get another one, the same as this one I have now,  for my preamp.

I can do that, @audphile1  .  I guess  I was more interested in it's effect on the front end due to being based upon what the salesman from MD told me (when he was no doubt trying to sell a power cord as well as the CDP).  

And I had been wanting to ask you what your thoughts were on the filter selections with the SA 10?  I hate to admit it, but in the four years I have owned that component, I have never experimented--I have always left it in the 'default' setting.

(I seem to hate being contronted with choices and decisions.)  

@audphile1 and @mrdecibel

The room is near field and untreated eccept for the throw tugs I have covered the floor with. If the source material is good or better than good it will sing and the walls and speakers will disappear . . . a substandard source disc sounds horrible.

As far as bright, I wouldn’t call it that (except with certain discs); however, the SLP-05 replaced a modded SLP-90 which was a lot warmer. I got a lot more air and detail and a wider soundstage with more definition wit6h the SLP-05, but sometimes it seems on the cool side to me. I understand that an acoustically treated room would bring it to another level, but we just are not there yet.

Thanks @mrdecibel ; I will keep you posted. I had to unplug everything to facilitate other goings on in the room, but I am hoping to have everything hooked back up by tomorrow. Life if full of compromises. I do believe that an improvement could be made without me fully relaizing what the improvement tangibly is--just that my level of comfort and satisfaction has increased to an extent. Possibly or even probably a small extent. But small + small = slightly bigger than small. I don’t talk a lot about this, because it opens things up for nay-sayers. "What!? So you THINK there MIGHT be an improvement in your SQ, but you don’t know for sure what it is, and you don’t know for sure IF it is? Seriously??" But the thing is, I do not have the golden ear so I do not immediately recognize differences in SQ and what they are. But it’s my time and my dime and if I wasn’t okay with it I wouldn’t do it.