I need advice for power cords

andrei_nz134 posts03-05-2020 9:56pmDude, these are the basics. 1. You need sufficient gauge. 2. Good quality termination (ie strong set-screw contact). 3 Decent materials. Copper or silver (don't get distracted by 'nines' or other snake oil). 4. They really should be flexible. There is truly no excuse for for the inflexible cables.

I just saw cables that have all types of materials used in construction, they are not flexible, they are expensive, they work VERY well.

What is "nines"? Like dressed to the nines?

If you think about WHY cable is flexible, it is because of the LOOSE weave, size of the conductor and the flexibility of the jacket(s).

Why should it be flexible, like in car audio, WHY. The conductors are large, and very flexible. ALU clad wire, most of it.  Other than easy install, there is no reason. Home is another, WHY? Again it doesn't have to be.  I've seen a few systems hardwired with LONG runs. Amazing sound, solid conductor silver wire (romex like), and valve amps..

Buy some Marinco or Wattgate IEC plugs.

Buy some TechFlex sleeving and 3M heatshrink.

Go to Home Depot, Lowes or the Big Box store or your choice and buy some 12/3 SJOOW wire:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-250-ft-12-3-300-Volt-CU-Black-Flexible-Portable-Power-SJOOW-Cord-55808745/205562565

https://www.hawkusa.com/manufacturers/marinco/connectors/320iec15?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhojzBRC3ARIsAGtNtHXBudF2V7uqDjuwceKHbTNQZWXiZt8mYrbYxMnpmQ834rDB5XT8BMYaAkLbEALw_wcB

These are fine too:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand-Pass-and-Seymour-20-Amp-250-Volt-Plug-PS5466XCCV4/202664478

Assemble.

There you go...now you have cords that equal the best wiring you have in your house that feeds your gear (12 AWG Romex if you are lucky into a 20Amp circuit; you may only have 14AWG into a 15 Amp circuit). Numbers I referenceed are for USA wiring. International 220V wiring may vary, but nevertheless the concept is similar: The fallacy that a magical cord in the last 6 to 10 feet from your wall outlet to your gear will make an audible difference is...snake oil. Make your component cords the same AWG as your circuit and you have done the best you can.

Now I'm really going to start a fight.  These are fine too if you don't want to build anything.  These likely will equal or exceed your building's wiring capability.  No expensive cable will sound any better than these.  The laws of physics defy anything to the contrary unless you are no-kidding running a 10 gauge or larger circuit to your gear:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PWIECB10--daddario-planet-waves-iec-to-nema-plug-power-cable-10-feet?mrkgadid=3336040252&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=0&mrkgcat=accessories&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700046934850275&dsproductgroupid=681239669995&product_id=PWIECB10&lid=92700046934850275&ds_s_kwgid=58700005287207515&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=%7Bproduct_store_id%7D&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&locationid=%7Bloc_phyiscal_ms%7D&creative=342707492128&targetid=pla-681239669995&campaignid=1465808365&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhojzBRC3ARIsAGtNtHWdWXJZvOr21sD0D75pd6kkcdS78yoYVtyrqjTBrDOjrZt1jCvDmq0aAu4iEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also...your best bet is to spend your money on a dedicated circuit for your audio gear - that will get noisy things like fluoresecent lights and vacuum cleaners and hairdryers off your "audio only" circuits. Also consider a power conditioner that will kill any line noise and break ground loops. I run PanaMax.

# 1 Priority - “FIX” YOUR ROOM

Any high quality Green Dot Hospital grade cord will do a very good job. The Pangea's are also a great bang for the buck. With power cords you start running into the law of diminishing returns very quickly...

My 30 buck Jelly Fish Green Dot is way better then the $200 Patrick Cullen AC cable it replaced....

Also what is everything plugged into. Upgrading Hubble outlets to Hospital grade or better is also a huge help.

You can always go Battery power/DC if you really want to spend money....