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  3. 169085-1635

If Power Cords Don't Matter...

First of all, I don’t own any high-end power cords, mostly because I can’t fit them behind my rack. Second, I am not trying to stir up controversy, as you will see from my question. I understand that the people who believe power cords make no difference argue that once the power gets into the component, the AC is converted to DC and the power supply of the component takes over completely. I think I have that right for the most part. So it that’s true, and it probably is from a traditional EE standpoint, why is it that I have not heard anyone say that power conditioners make no difference? I am not aware of anyone with a decent system ever saying that a Niagara or Triton or Audience teflon conditioner didn’t affect their sound, for good or for bad. So if the EE theory is true, wouldn’t power conditioners make no difference either? I have an Audience AR6T for almost 10 years and I think it made a big difference. BTW - I am not talking about Power Plants, which deal with voltage stabilization, which is a different topic.  Obviously, if your AC voltage is way off, it's going to cause problems.  
chayro
william53b's avatar
william53b
211 posts
 
Actually you’re going to have to replace all of the wiring from the power station to your house because the polarity is off by 13.438°. Sorry.
avitacom
90 posts
 
These amplifiers also use filter capacitors and or chokes in their power supplies and the quality of those components is important also.
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Both make a big difference in any system on any quality of decent gear for many reasons, but the big one is natural tonality, free cords make the gear work but aftermarket cords make the gear shine.
pedroeb
493 posts
 
Maybe you should explain how voltage is analogous to physical water pressure.

Gravity and pumps create water pressure and it is held back by a valve. On the other hand electricity does not need to be held back as there is no "pressure". It does does not attempt or want to flow (i.e. no pressure) until a request is made by completing a circuit. A switch can camplete a circuit, but only if there is something connected to it. Unlike a valve, turning on a switch when there is nothing connected to it does not result in electricity flowing.

Their flow rates can be measured but in unconnected ways.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Yes, demand has to be created.  Presence of the voltage in closed circuit creates current, hence magnetic field around the wire.  Load creates electric filed between the wires.  Electric and magnetic fields are always perpendicular.  They are like XY plane with vector Z (Poynting vector) showing direction of energy flow.  With AC both electric and magnetic fields change direction simultaneously, but Poynting vector (direction) stays the same.  Current itself is just a flow of electric charge.  Same amount of electric charge that leaves the source - comes back.  Energy is delivered on the outside of the wire.
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