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How can power cords make a difference?

I am trying to understand why power cords can make a difference.

It makes sense to me that interconnects and speaker cables make a difference. They are dealing with a complex signal that contains numerous frequencies at various phases and amplitudes. Any change in these parameters should affect the sound.

A power cord is ideally dealing with only a single frequency. If the explanation is RF rejection, then an AC regeneration device like PS Audio’s should make these cords unnecessary. I suppose it could be the capacitance of these cables offering some power factor correction since the transformer is an inductive load.

The purpose of my post is not to start a war between the “I hear what I hear so it must be so” camp and the “you’re crazy and wasting your money,” advocates. I am looking for reasons. I am hoping that someone can offer some valid scientific explanations or point me toward sources of this information. Thanks.
bruce1483

Showing 3 responses by gregm

gregm
3,411 posts
 
R-kiwi, to follow up. I too have experienced numerous occasions of third parties commenting on audible difference --so, what can I say? I am suggestible, granted. What about the other persons?

Which brings me to the title question in this thread which, I think, hasn't been fully answered. I know of only one public acceptance of "differences" in conductors, both analogue & digital -- and explanation. This was made by the French PPC (I posted about that in another thread, a while back).
gregm
3,411 posts
 
Mmccoy, an inexpensive test worked for me: buy a piece of heavy gauge double insulation cord (flexible, of a kind used in industrial applications) an IEC and a wall plug. Make a pc out of it (you may connect the shielding on the wall socket end and leave bare on the other, if you wish). Connect this cord to a piece in your chain that would easily reveal differences (if any are perceived) with stock cord -- say, the pre. Give your new pc time to settle in the system, "burn in" if you will.

The excercise will cost little and, if rejected from audio, the cord can be used happily for other household items.

Cheers!
gregm
3,411 posts
 
Personal experience leads me to conclude that ALL components, including conductors (PC & others) contribute a sonic signature. We could say that we all wish the system's sonic result should exceed the sum of the parts. IMO PCs fall into the same category. However, our perception of sonic results (better, worse, etc) depend upon,
a) system
b) how we want to hear reproduced music, as Detlof noted in another thread.

As Redkiwi notes above, the name of the game is *reproduction*, a simulation of reality -- the simulation that best "moves" us into being virtually there. Virtually.

PC vs. price: A $3k /1,5 m PC performed poorly (for the price) in my modest system. Pls note, modest (in a more revealing system?). The same manufacturer's $8K / 1,5m (!!) PC blew three of us out of the room.
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