It seems that this thread has wandered from a discussion on receptacles to a general discussion on power cables and whether they actually change audio quality.
So, here's my anecdote. A couple of years ago I bought a Wadia 301, and the seller threw in an Acoustic Zen Tsunami power cord instead of the stock cord. I was not a believer in power cords being able to make a difference, because, as has been pointed out, they are not in the signal path, but I used the Tsunami because "it was there."
I eventually sold the 301, but kept the Tsunami, and got a Wadia 861 w/ GNSC's Statement upgrade. Again, I used the tsunami because "it was there."
After a few months, I bought a new rack for my equipment, and after setting everything up, I listened to some CDs, and immediately noticed the sound quality was thinner, there was little bass impact, the soundstage was a bit unfocused. I thought that I made a huge mistake with my rack "upgrade." After fiddling with all sorts of things, I noticed that I had swapped the power cords on the Wadia and my phono stage, so that the Tsunami was not on the Wadia.
I figured that I'd swap it back, since nothing else was helping. Lo and behold, the Wadia came back to life with all the depth and air and focus that it had before.
I did not believe in power cord differences, and was not looking for power cord differences....In fact I did not even realize I had changed power cords at first, but just knew something had screwed up my sound. But, I discoverd that having a better power cord on the Wadia does in fact make a difference.
I can't explain why....but I can tell you the difference is not subtle.
FWIW.
So, here's my anecdote. A couple of years ago I bought a Wadia 301, and the seller threw in an Acoustic Zen Tsunami power cord instead of the stock cord. I was not a believer in power cords being able to make a difference, because, as has been pointed out, they are not in the signal path, but I used the Tsunami because "it was there."
I eventually sold the 301, but kept the Tsunami, and got a Wadia 861 w/ GNSC's Statement upgrade. Again, I used the tsunami because "it was there."
After a few months, I bought a new rack for my equipment, and after setting everything up, I listened to some CDs, and immediately noticed the sound quality was thinner, there was little bass impact, the soundstage was a bit unfocused. I thought that I made a huge mistake with my rack "upgrade." After fiddling with all sorts of things, I noticed that I had swapped the power cords on the Wadia and my phono stage, so that the Tsunami was not on the Wadia.
I figured that I'd swap it back, since nothing else was helping. Lo and behold, the Wadia came back to life with all the depth and air and focus that it had before.
I did not believe in power cord differences, and was not looking for power cord differences....In fact I did not even realize I had changed power cords at first, but just knew something had screwed up my sound. But, I discoverd that having a better power cord on the Wadia does in fact make a difference.
I can't explain why....but I can tell you the difference is not subtle.
FWIW.