Do they make a difference by upgrading stock power cords in amps, ect versus aftermarket power cords? If so, can anyone advise a good bang for the buck upgrade?
A word of caution with the newer Volex 14/3 or Volex 17604 power cords. I purchased a pair of Volex 17604s a couple of months ago and just noticed recently that the ones I had purchased look a lot like the stock power cords that came with various amps I had bought previously. The markings on both cords said Baohing and some other specs the only difference being the female and male ends on the Volex cords had Volex on them. When I compared the ends visually they looked of the same quality. So if you want to try something different then stock in the real budget price range may be look elsewhere then Volex.
I was able to find Hospital Grade 14 AWG power cords with purple ends that looks like the Iron Lung Jellyfish Power Cord for a lot cheaper. About $17 shipped per cord. I don't know if they are that much better than stock but they definitely didn't degrade the sound from the system I put them in.
This is the answer to your question: There are 2 widely disparate "camps" about whether power cords can make a noticeable change in the sound of your system (assuming adequate gauges/capacity for the accompanying component) There are those who swear up and down that there is NO WAY in the world there will be any noticeable difference and you can not convince these people otherwise...no matter how much anyone tries to prove to them it IS so... Then there is the opposite camp who are absolutely convinced, with no doubt in mind because they have purposely proven to themselves over and over by trusting their own ears, that aftermarket powercords obviously make a considerable difference and marked improvement in their systems because THEY TRUST THEIR EARS. I suggest you listen to NO ONE but YOUR OWN EARS, but please, do yourself a favor and TRY IT. Then decide. PS And keep in mind, the entire aftermarket cable industry exists because people CAN hear improvements and if they COULDN'T hear the difference it would go by the way of the Tice Clock (It's a DoDo bird from years ago) Good luck! Try it!!
ah, another philosphical discussion. it has no conclusion. it generates heat but very little light.
i t does not matter what component you discuss, be self reliant, do your own research and answer your own question. it has been said many times. use your ears thay are a useful appendage, especially in audio where the mouth sometimes can get oneself into trouble.
some questions don't have to be asked.
sometimes it is wiser to conceal ignorance. there are exceptions, of course, and health is the paramount one.
Yes. I never thought it could make a difference untill I tried one in my system. I now have after market power cords on all my equipment, and yes I'm crazy and like to try almost every tweak that I hear about, but if you add up all the little tweaks one does to their system it starts to make a big difference Sometimes a huge difference sometime small. Noticed a big improvment on power amps the most. Joe
I asked this question because my system sounded like their was a blanket over it and I just couldn't figure it out. I had narrowed it down to my IC's or maybe I needed to swap power cords or something (although I have always used stock). Changed my IC's and it DID make a difference in overall sound. Not night and day, but their certainly was a difference and now the sound isn't muffled.
I've never put much thought into the power cord dilemma, but this muffled sound had me down to two possible problems. I never believed too much into IC's either, but I was proved wrong. That got me thinking, maybe there is something to all of this????
assuming this is not a gag of some sort, i for one was IMPRESSED with the quality of the power cords that came with the equipment i bought. and those are the ones i used for MANY years while changing other things around. i always used a power conditioner to protect from surges and that piece supposedly removed some noise from the line to begin with. i also invested $50 for a sturdy power outlet to prevent plugs from drooping too much from the wall. the conditions warranting a really heavy-duty esoteric power cord seem to be limited to situations that i personally can't easily imagine. but i did eventually buy a chunky cord for my monoblocks when i couldn't get both of them attached to the same outlet- I had to hook them up 1st to a power strip and then the aftermarket cord went into the wall. a dealer then told me that the arrangement was "restricting power" (he had other ideas to make a sale no doubt), and to this day i have happily ignored that advice. can PC's make a difference? i have some really nice gear but i would say after a lot of years and a lot of listening that i am still not one to ask. but i admit i picked up a few PC's later on that were on sale. but i am only "praying" that they strip some low level noise out of the sonic picture. P.S.- a very high-end manufacturer's representative told me that their (amplifier) was tested for sound and performance with the power cord that came in the box, and that all of the specifications were met. he said that if they encountered a problem they pulled the AMPLIFIER apart to find out what needed improvement. i don't know what other proof one would need since their claims of sonic excellence were extremely high (and reviews of their equipment further confirmed those results).
As you go door to door around the neighborhood talking to people, you get answers like:
Yes. A lot. They are part of our family. He/she is my best friend.
A little. I seem to be a little happier and my blood pressure has dropped.
Not so much. But I do sleep better at night knowing it will bark if anyone comes around.
No difference. How could a dog possibly make a difference in your life. I have no desire to try.
No difference, part II. I had a dog and now I don't. Don't feel any different.
Absolutely no. I've read on the internet that they kill people. You'd have to be really stupid to get one.
I *suppose* you could substitute cable for dog. (ya think).
That was Zen, this is now. Yeah, pc's "can" make a difference. I hear it on some equipment. Didn't believe they could for a long time then I got a dog, I mean pc. The first few actually hurt the sound compared to stock, then found some that helped a little.
Bang for the buck: Volex 14/3 around $10. Pangea at 50 on up.
From his other threads, I don't think this guy is a "troll." I see that word thrown in quickly as a "knee-jerk" reaction to any thread that asks a simplistic and covered question. It's pejorative and I dislike it. Yes, he could review the archives for answers, but quite possibly the archives are a bit daunting for a newbie.
I never give the standard slap down of " search the archives", but I'm tempted to here. This thread is just the latest in a long line of incendiary conversations about power cords. Though I'm sure you're hopeful, I am certain you will not uncover any opinion that's not been expressed before, ad nauseum.
Listen with the stock power cords in place to determine a base line performance of your system. Get a feel for the sound of your system first. I would say you should spend at least 1 or 2 months. Then try inexpensive aftermarket cords preferably those you can try on a 30 day money back. Compare the sound of your system with a new cord (one at at time) and see how the sound compares with all stock cords. Common wisdom says to put the highest quality cord on your source, so you may want to start there. Cords make a difference, but it is not always a "good difference." Finding synergy with power cords gets tedious. In the end, you may end up liking the sound of your system better with the stock cords. It's not unheard of. Also, your system needs to be resolving enough or you may not be able to hear any change from one cord change to another.
If you are starting a system just use the stock ones. The short answer is if the system warrants it and the power cord is the short comming I dont know why but it made a difference in my system. But I think there are so many variable with power cords.
If in doubt, try it out! These have a 30 day, money back, satisfaction guarantee: (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-9670-shunyata-venom-3-power-cable.aspx) If you can't hear a difference, between them and your stock cords; count your blessings! You stand to save a lot of money, on upgrades, down the road.
Hi guys!!! I'm still here too (Or should I say "Hearing" too). No one wants to kick a sleeping junkyard dog so we're not going to run with this again but you've already heard good advice: dial in your components with each other first; become very familiar with what it sounds like with stock cords and then, if you want to open up a new avenue of tweaking the sound you can start playing with aftermarket powercords. Check out all the related threads for much more "vigorous discussion" on this...because you're playing with matches at the gas station right now. All I will say is trust your own ears and NO ONE ELSE'S opinion via these forums (on this particular topic). Good luck and happy Lissn'n
By all accounts PCs are largely component specific. While I have tried my hand at them with various items in my stereo, they have yet to make a particularly meaningful improvement. If you pose a more specific question, people with the same electronics as you may have a PC brand/model suggestion.
I have 3 Transparent ref. powerlink's mm2, and short answer...yes. The source and pre-amp had HUGE improvements in dynamics. Improvements on the amp was VERY disappointing, it did remove some haze and improve the sound a little but not sure worth it. oh well.
Trust me check the archives to research this topic. It has been debated for years and will continue to be debated but there have been lots of threads about tihs.
Also to add onto what Metralla said. Definitely get your components straightened out and in your system. I then say listen to it all with the stock power cords for a long time. Once you are familiar with everything soundwise then go for aftermarket power cords.
Looking at the 3 other threads you have started, it appears you still are sorting out what you need for the major components. I'd stay the course if I were you, and revisit after-market power cords down the track.
Throw a really attractive lure into the depths and lets see what we can catch. The joys of trolling. Seriously, if this a legitimate topic of interest, consult the archives of this forum and other sites. This subject has been covered, debated, and fought over at enormous lengths.
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