... abit confused: how does a power cord affect the presentation of sound...


Hello to all...

I was shifting around components in my system, trying to squeeze out better controlled bass, more definition within the soundstage, and better define the "voice/midrange" presentation...

I presently have a tube preamp (hardwired with a wall wart) into an HT Receiver; source is a Marantz SA-8001 CD Player

Swapped out a Yamaha HTR -5550 (hardwired) for a Parasound HCA-750A (which needs a power cord).

CD Player is powered with a PS Audio Statement SC power cord, so I went in my closet and pulled out another PS AUDIO Statement SC power cord, hooked it up and expect to give it at least 5 days continuous re-break-in before serious listening.

Took a minute to lookup reviews about this power cord - and I read some rather confusing reviews: some luved 'um, some liked 'um, but some thought them " ...slow... " (?), and giving a veiled presentation...

I'm gonna listen and decide myself - but I'm abit confused: how does a power cord affect the presentation of sound - I know that interconnects and speaker cables would/could/Do affect sound presentation - but how could a power cord?

Explanation/thoughts please...
insearchofprat

Showing 8 responses by jderimig

The best power cord is NO power cord.  Why adulterate that painstakingly selected Romex 14-2 cable and the two Siemens circuit breakers that supply that pure pristine electrical power to your outlet? Just remove the outlet and continue with a short run of Home Depot Romex directly to the power switch of your components.  Or just buy the plug and IEC jacks and construct your own power cable out of that magical Romex cable?  Keep it pure fellas.
^But in your home you probably have 15’ to 40’ of 14 gauge from your electrical box to your outlet. 2’ of 2 gauge from the wall to your amp is doesn’t make up for that 14 ga run.  Its ridiculous actually.
" The designer of a truly great amp does not use a crappy power cord to save a very few dollars, a practice that would make his amp sound worse so that you buy something else. These cords thrive on the placebo effect, i.e. The more it costs, the better it must be. "
I think this is true.
LOLZ noise floor -175dbz.   What do you think the noise floor is in your listening room (house) with everything off?
>Measurements do not tell the whole story. Play A note with a cheap >violin the meter will show 440Hz. Play the same note with a Stradivarius >the same meter will also show 440Hz.
>Verdict? Trust you ears.

The dominant frequency of both will be 440hz but the spectrum of frequencies will be totally different and absolutely measureable.
Sound is totally an interpretation by the brain. 100% abstract. Pressure waves are real.
Like sound, time is totally created by the brain, its not real, it is man made. Clocks are real, time isn’t.

Music is the brains interpretation of pressure waves and time. Total fugazi by the brain.

Drugs have a greater effect on SQ than cables. Same chemistry is at work in your brain when you know you have switched or paid $$$ for new wires.  Its a natural human chemical defense mechanism to justify your bias.