New expensive power cord for amp and no change in sound?

I've found that items further up the chain can respond to better power cords while not so much on power amps. Can you get a refund? 

Did you put the old one back in to see if you notice a change?

Play a few specific tracks that you know well, understand what you are listening to, and then do as dill suggested. Power cord differences are very easy to hear through my system, used anywhere in the chain. 

Trust your ears. If you didn’t notice a change then your original pc was not a weak link. You should be able to return minus a restocking fee. 
 

With regards to evaluation methods, @dill has sound advice. I’m assuming you did not rush to judgement..

What happened when you swapped the two cords, placing the pre cord in the power amp and the power cord in the pre?

Take a break for a few hours, then listen for any changes.

It’s worth a try, right?

I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell ya.

Another possibility is that the power supply of your amp is so well designed that it doesn't need the extra "help" provided by an expensive power cable.  Conversely, your preamp's supply may have benefited from a different power cable.

I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell ya.

Looks like you got the ’snake oil answer’ whether you wanted it or not.

Going back to your first power cable upgrade on that amp (which I assume was the $500 cable you referenced), did you discern a difference?

And is the newly upgraded power cable you are auditioning on the power amp the same power cable you have on the preamp? If not, it would be interesting to find out what you hear if you put that new upgraded power cable on the preamp, instead of the amp.

I don’t think your thread will be deleted if you mention the well reviewed power cord. 
I assume the amp is Pass X250.8?

So what is the power cord that made no difference after several weeks?

FYI…I’m running Audience Forte f3 power cords on my X260.8 mono amps and even though they’re not expensive at all (nowhere near $500), I heard the improvement over stock cords. 

 After a couple of weeks of daily use I hear no change in the sound quality from a $500 cord. I don’t want to name it for fear of getting my thread deleted. You would know it or at least be aware of the company. Did I throw away several thousand dollars?

. . . and am I misunderstanding you? It reads to me as if you once replaced the OEM cord with a $500 cord and then recently replaced the $500 cord with one costing way more than that?  Or have I got that wrong, and the upgrade that you just made that you are hearing no difference with is the $500 cord?

"the amp’s manufacturer said don’t bother. "

If anyone should know, it's the manufacturer?

an amp I bought 2 years ago came with an expensive power cord (as a gift - the seller was getting rid of everything). I hear no difference whatsoever between it and regular power cords. I assume it depends on the components, if my amp and speakers were in the same class as the cord, I might hear the difference. 

If power cords really made a big difference wouldn't component manufacturers be putting better stock cords on?  Are there any component manufacturers that put anything other than standard plastic covered cords in the box?  

"I hear no change in the sound quality from a $500 cord"

"Did I throw away several thousand dollars?"

How does one throw away several thousands on a $500 cord? 

If you can't hear the differences, it's either 

1. You lack the critical ear to discern subtle differences

2. Your setup is not resolving enough

3. Your new cord is very similar to your previous

If you think it's 1, count your blessing and just enjoy the music. 

1. Without knowing what your amp actually is and the rest of your system, it's impossible to help you or answer your question.

2. If you deem a $500 power cord expensive, it's pretty safe to say your system is fairly entry level. In that case, don't worry about cables for now, try to maximize your component synergy and speaker setup first. Chances are your system are not resolving enough and well setup enough to tell the difference in what would be mostly a side-grade in cables.

3. Speaker setup can make your system sound 2x as good for free. Read Master Set speaker placement and follow those steps.

4. The proper steps to evaluate any component, especially cables is to drop them in the system, let them play for a few days continuously, then just listen to your system as usual for about a week or two. Then put your old cord back after a few weeks, that's the moment you will hear the changes that have been made.

"If power cords really made a big difference wouldn't component manufacturers be putting better stock cords on? "

- I am not sure many say they make a "big difference" and component builders are well aware of the aftermarket cable industry. Knowing that, the manufacturer's are only supplying stock cords as every customer might prefer to choose their own preferred brand & model. Plus, they would only pass on the added cost to the customer and they are saving money by including only a stock cord.

Bottom line: If you try it and you don't hear a difference, good for you. If you try it and hear a difference, good for you. No two systems are the same, no two people hear the same. There is no right or wrong. Kinda sucks for the "snake oil" crowd ...

"I hear no change in the sound quality from a $500 cord"

"Did I throw away several thousand dollars?"

How does one throw away several thousands on a $500 cord? 

@tony1954  , I was wondering the same thing, but I am thinking that maybe OP had a $500 power cord on it and then upgraded to a more expensive one that cost several thousand?

If power cords really made a big difference wouldn't component manufacturers be putting better stock cords on?  Are there any component manufacturers that put anything other than standard plastic covered cords in the box?  

@jon5f52  , this might be an apples to oranges comparison, but not way long ago someone asked the same thing about tubes--to paraphrase, "Why don't manufacturers send out their stuff with high dollar tubes?"  And almost everyone will concede that different tubes do sound different.  So I'd almost think that instead of sending an amp out with a real expensive power cord to add to the msrp, they let the consumer pick & choose how much $ to spend to tailor his or her sound to his or her liking.

If you deem a $500 power cord , it's pretty safe to say your system is fairly entry level

It's safe to say you have a warped sense of priorities.

@immatthewj To me that bumps up against the problem of why does different have to cost so much.  I understand people like to switch tubes and compare.  When it turns into you need to try this simple mechanical device that just happens to cost $4,000 I lose interest.  It feels too much like exploiting OCD, which we all have at least a little.

There are amps that are not reacting to any power cord switching  , regardless of the price. I have couple of amps that did this to me.Though that was 20 yrs ago.Maybe my listening skills is not yet there to figure out the change.

@immatthewj To me that bumps up against the problem of why does different have to cost so much.  I understand people like to switch tubes and compare.  When it turns into you need to try this simple mechanical device that just happens to cost $4,000 I lose interest.  It feels too much like exploiting OCD, which we all have at least a little.

@jon_5912  , I guess it all comes down to what you get for your 4k and whether or not what you get is worth 4k to you.  In this case, I think OP is saying he cannot hear ANY difference between $500 and "several k.".  But perhaps in other applications the consumer might hear a difference.  You asked why the manufacturers are not putting high dollar cords on their stuff that they send out if it makes a difference, and I simply think that they do not want to raise the msrp that much on an upgrade that not everyone thinks is important and wants to pay a lot for.

A few thoughts:

1. Can you return it?
2. Is it the same cord as on your preamp?  Have you swapped cords on the pre-amp and amp as an experiment
3. I don't view it as you threw money away if you are enjoying music and the process.  If you can't return it, perhaps you can sell it or even let a friend experiment to gauge their experience.  (I'm making the assumption, you are disappointed but still have a lot of things to be grateful for!)

Without the components and names of the power cords involved this is not a useful thread. I can’t imagine a thread being deleted by naming the components involved. That is the basic function of this forum.

@roxy1927

When I got the Hegel H390 broken in, I I bought the best Pangea high current cord and heard nothing different. I bought several Audience F3 cables and heard no difference. I bought AQ NRD4 (?) cables and heard no change. I have bought a few others also under $500 and have heard no difference.

I have a friend who is going to loan me some Clarus Crimson and Aqua power cords as well as some XLR’s to try. I’ll let you know if they sound different.

immatthewj I'm incapable of believing the high dollar amount is necessary.  I assume they could get 90% of the high dollar benefit for 10% of the cost.  

@immatthewj ,

Wrong roxie...

@immatthewj ,

Wrong roxie...

OOPS!!  Thanks, @thecarpathian  .  I'll fix it.

2. If you deem a $500 power cord expensive, it's pretty safe to say your system is fairly entry level.

@roxy1927   , did you upgrade FROM a $500 cord, or did you upgrade TO a $500 cord?

Yes my amp is a stereo Pass 250.8 and the manufacturer said don’t bother. I originally had a $500 going into the Pass and replaced it with the expensive cord. I don’t think my system is entry level. Maybe mid. I am going to place the expensive cord in various components such as my Dac and transport(both Ayon. I bought into the never ending advertising but people had positive things to say and I'm very happy having purchased them) to see if it makes a difference there. And though I may not have the most discerning of ears I like what the Shunyata sigma did for my ARC pre. Can I tell you what it did exactly? I don’t know really. But I liked it. I know lame. But maybe it gave it a bit more punch. It made me like it the component even more. I’m sorry but I’m not an experienced audio critic who can describe nuances. But with the expensive cord into the Pass as they say I felt(heard)nothing.

@roxy1927  , thanks for clarifying; I thought I knew what you meant but I wasn't positive.

When you got the Pass did it have the OEM cord, or did you have the $500 cord already installed when you got it?

If it came with the OEM cord I am really curious as to how much difference you heard when you put the $500 cord on it?

Can I tell you what it did exactly? I don’t know really. But I liked it. I know lame.

Actually I can relate to feeling that way about an upgrade.

The fact that you are not hearing that with the 'several k' power cord kind of makes me think you were not hearing confirmation bias with the previous upgrade you referred to.

I'm going out on a limb and saying you didn't hear any difference because there WAS no difference! Sigh...so much money wasted on silly  aftermarket cords.

immatthewj I’m incapable of believing the high dollar amount is necessary. I assume they could get 90% of the high dollar benefit for 10% of the cost.

@jon_5912 , well, that is your prerogative. I don’t personally have enough experience with the subject to say I believe it or that I don’t believe it. People that strike me as credible have told me in private conversations that they have heard significant improvements when they have used fuses that cost more than $100. I have always been a bit skeptical, but I have no experience with those fuses so I refrain from commenting on that subject also.

On a personal level, I find my system to be pleasing (to me); I realize it could sound a lot better, and I’d like it to sound a lot better, but there are (at least) a couple of other areas I’ feel I need to address before I get into playing with power cords and fuses, and, sadly, there was a price to be paid for retiring at the age I did, and that price is basically how much disposable income I have to put into my system. I recently made a couple of fairly significant upgrades that I probably couldn’t afford, and therefore I am probably not going to buy anything else for quite a while, and if and when I do, it probably will not be power cords or fuses . . . but, that doesn’t mean that I am not interested in what others find out along those lines.

Because regardless of what I type about abstaining from upgrades , I often change my mind.

I agree with some of above power amps in my experience display the least changes with power cords. Again this is my experience yours may be different. Also a $500 power cord should be no slouch. Lastly to me power cord differences fall on the subtle end of the spectrum.

I have found that some components, especially amps, respond to power cord changes much more than others. The same power cord might perform beautifully on one amp and make no discernible difference on another. I'm not sure I would have believed that had I not experienced it myself. 

I switched out my upgraded PC from stock that were Shunyata King Cobra  (2) last summer for the Audio quest Dragon HC (2) and I’ll tell u I could hear a big difference. More clarity. Bigger soundstage. More details with voices and instruments especially the plucking of guitar strings. Well worth the upgrade. Btw. Amps are ARC Ref 750s. 

Sounds like you’re $500 cord worked great with the Pass. Sorry you had to learn/ relearn that synergy, not price are more important and always listen to cables with a return policy.

@roxy1927

Since you mentioned Shunyata.. I believe that they have power systems which consists of power cables and a conditioner. I really never had much of an expectation of replacing one power cable at a time and noticing a difference, so I took the system approach of purchasing seven power cables and a conditioner with the ability to return everything. In short, I decided to keep the Shunyata products and beg for my next meal. Attention to power has made the biggest improvement to my system, which now runs off a 300ah battery.

There you have it.

"I bought into the never ending advertising but people had positive things to say..."

Also I would up upgraded all my PCs to 4 Audio quest HC and source Dragon PCs and another Audio quest Dragon HC PC for my Audio quest Niagara 5000. All previous PCs were Shunyata high end PCs. Every change that I made from the Shunyata to the AQ Dragons resulted in major sound improvements. Especially the ARC Ref 6SE pre an ARC Ref cd9. But I must also say that I do have a very resolving system. Even when I changed my XLR ICs from Straightwire Crescendos to AQ Thunderbirds XLRs (3) pairs , the difference was a major step up. Snake oil. ??? Hell no. 

secretguy

1,584 posts

05-07-2024 at 05:28am 

I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell ya.

This is the worst experience to get when you grab hold of a new power cord.

*S*  I'm in no particular hurry to enter into the "Oil or No?" fray today...
For that matter, no real plans other than those already in hand or in my face...*L*

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss....and the playlists and applied volume can keep me tentatively 'comfortably numb"....

(....I have given my amp..well, 'amps', since there's 6...a heavier pc that's been lurking in storage, and it's longer than the typicals...)

No pedigree, just mo' copper...

There’s only one truth about cables/ power cords it doesn’t make difference don’t waist your money on snake 🐍 oil 

spend your money on actual components instead 

Not always is a modification a good modification.

Hopefully, you can sell the expensive power cord and get most of your money back and be glad to have the cash to spend on something more beneficial. To my ears, upgraded power cords, and cables for that matter, have made a subtle but noticeable difference, certainly not a night and day improvement. I think we all hear a little differently and that doesn’t mean that others wouldn’t hear more of a difference or maybe none at all. I’ve tried out more expensive  switches in my system and I just don’t hear a difference between those and something cheap from Best Buy. Doesn’t mean that others Wouldn’t hear a difference and I don’t think it means that my system is not resolving. It’s just the way I hear it personally

I was glad not to spend the money which I would’ve done if I could hear a benefit. Folks who use their own experience to invalidate someone else’s are off base in my opinion. We all hear a little differently

It’s hard to hear the subtle difference sounds of power cords because 1 power cord changes 3~7% of whole sound (small portion). The form of different sounds might be different from your expectation and you should relax and look at whole package.

My system sounds very quiet and maybe you can pick up the sound difference easily from below video (JPS $700, Zentara $2200, WTv2 $1000, WTPC $2400).

To hear cable sounds,
1) click this 18:51 WTPC (This’ll open Youtube window).

2) In YT, make a small YT window (narrow & tall, Right half screen) to see the video screen and 2 time stamps (18:51,  4:45  in description) are in the same screen.

3) Click (18:51 WTPC) and listen 1 minute. Click (4:45JPS) and hear 1 min. And repeat to hear the sound difference. Just relax and watch the screen and listen to the vocal and sound-stage.

you get your thread deleted for mentioning a manufacturer? thats outrageous. are we supposed to speak in hand signals or toe taps under the ground, anagrams???