How may a simple "Power Cable" change, improve an audio system?

Jolly - here are some of the basic technical aspects that produces a power cable that outperforms more basic power cables

The connector...
- I prefer silver plated copper over every other type of plating because the silver is the best conductor and silver plate can be applied directly to the copper. Other plating materials do not conduct as well as silver and they nearly always requires a different "substrate" plating material for the finished plating metal to achieve a solid plating finish

- Good IEC connectors grip better and provide a better mechanical connection. Good quality mains connectors have very flat pins, which fit exceptionally well in a high quality outlet

The "quality wire"...
- OFC, Continuous cast copper, silver plated copper will always outperform the lower grade copper in "standard" type power cables WRT dynamics.
- thicker gauge conductors are "generally" better than thinner gauge - because they have less resistance and higher current handling capacity

Cable geometry...
- Advanced cable geometries Like braiding, ribbon and Helix geometries help reduce/eliminate the noise "generated" within a standard geometry power cable and as a result allow the peek power demands made by the amp to be accommodated more readily and with less distortion - resulting in faster dynamics and better clarity
- having a larger gauge neutral conductor actually improves cable performance and sometimes result in more clarity and larger image - but this depends on the design of the amp - some amp designs do not respond well to quality power cables, but most Audiophile quality amps will achieve significant improvements

The type of insulation used on each conductor makes a considerable difference to cable performance - e.g. Teflon is better than PVC - a cable has capacitance and more capacitance a cables generates more noise, but this also depends on cable geometry.

Those are just a few aspects of cable design. - they apply to ALL cables not just power cables

I have heard improvements in systems ranging from a $350 Mini System, up to a $50k Ayre system all due to quality power cables

If you are not hearing any difference it could be due to the many other factors that should be dealt with long before pursuing a better power cable, simply because you will not hear any benefits if the rest of your system and room treatments are not the best they can be.

CABLE GEOMETRY: It may seem like a BIG BOTTLE of snake oil to some, but over the last 5 years, a handful of DIYers have co-developed some different "approachs" WRT cable geometry and achieved significant benefits in sound quality

As to WHY? - think about the impacts to the circuit
- when a large transient signal is encountered the power supply in the amp must have the "capacity" to fulfill that transient otherwise there is a slight voltage drop and the performance of the amp is degraded (i.e. distorted), so clarity is impacted
- A better quality power cable will reduce the amount of degradation because it is faster to respond to demands from the amps power supply
- Since there are two amps in a stereo system, we assume that both amps suffer the same degradation, but they do not - this results in image and spatial degradations.

Now think about noise in the power cable
- yes the 50/60Hz power supply is rectified to a DC current, but noise from the cable is still present
- That noise gets into the DC supply
- any noise in the DC supply will degrade amplifier performance (distortion)

These are just a few aspects of the impact of using power cables not really designed for audio use.

Historically, audiophiles have spend large sums of money on amps with huge power supplies that can better deal with transient demands, but today, power cables can augment the performance of budget audio systems to very high levels of audio quality

If you have a question - then ask away.

But if you feel this is all SNAKE OIL, then I will simply leave you to your opinion

But I hope you found this post helpful/insightful

Regards - Steve

Jolly - WRT 

Like the 1:6 ratio used for interconnects.

At first I had no idea what you referring too, so I googled it :-)

The results found indicate you may be referring to the

"Ratio of price for interconnects compared to equipment" - an example is posted on  Hifiwigwam correct?

https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/134964-ratio-of-price-for-interconnects-to-equipment/

Deciding how much to spend on cables based on the total outlay for ones system is NOT a wise, or more importantly, an effective approach to buying cables. But everyone has to start somewhere and electing to spend a little more on cables based on system cost "should" get better performance than simply using the cables included with components. 

Given that people tend to prefer an easy answer to a question, rather than delve into the many theories & facts floating around out there on the web, the 1:6 ratio is that easy answer. But it has no real merit

I do believe that Capacitance, but more importantly, the dielectric material used for insulation (which effects capacitance), plays a far greater role in cable performance than most people believe. 

E.G. - I recently have been trying wires with different type of insulation
- I have found cotton/oil insulation (like that found on Duelund wire) is superior to teflon 
- But the most stunning improvements of the many permutations I have tried, were achieved by using wooden beads as the insulator on the signal wire of my Helix interconnects.

Given that the dielectric constant of soft wood is around 1.5, compared to Teflon's 2.1 - and based on my own observations of the exact same cable performing significantly better with the wooden beads, compared to Teflon insulation -  I now believe that capacitance can be used as an indicator of cable performance. Not from a tonal perspective, but more from the perspective f the clarity and dynamics aspects.

Unfortunately, manufacturers have a tendency to omit many electrical attributes that pertain to their cables - and I do not understand why - perhaps they know something

I do believe Cable Geometry also plays a significant role in cable performance - again this is due to my own observations while  implementing different geometries with great success, such as tight twisted pairs, braiding, and the most successful - a HELIX design that winds the neutral wire around the signal wire.  

Hope that helps - the  "Chocalatier" :-)

Regards - Steve




  

@ypingping - re:...

I ask you before why your favorite KLEI use Neutrik XLRs for new cable and these are brass based with nickel

To start with - they are NOT my favourite XLR’s
- since I have no components with XLR I have not had time to fully research them, but...
- I am aware of some great silver plated copper XLR connectors
- here’s one
https://www.takefiveaudio.com/products/602-xhadow-male-xlr-deep-cryo-treated/

FOR THE RECORD: as stated in responses to your previous "mis-informed posts" - I CAN confirm that the Neutrik XLR plugs made specifically for KLE Innovations are not simply brass base with nickel plating.
- But I have been asked not to divulge the materials - so it remains "a mystery" until such a time when KLE Innovations decides to disclose it.

So as usual - your are misinformed OR you simply like to "get your jollies" by continueing to spread FUD - i.e. Fear Uncertainty and Doubt, about KLE Innovations products as you have done in the past.

Signing off - Steve