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

@zlone Depends on how your system is balanced (lean, warm, bright?), sound characteristics you’re looking for and budget. Not to high jack this thread, may be start a new discussion? Or pm me. 

Should have called the cable company.    Try before you buy!

                                              EXACTLY!

        There are also a number of other cable manufacturers and purveyors that allow a listening period and return policy, if you are dissatisfied/unimpressed. 
         ie:  Synergistic Research has offered a liberal audition period since the early Eighties.      Matter of fact: they offered to send their entire line of interconnects, for one to audition/experiment with, before they made their choice and purchase decision.

                                               And (again):

          Anyone that feels compelled to harp on not hearing any differences, is obviously too obtuse to understand the term "variables" (as frequently mentioned) and worthy of disregard.  

          My only goal in these threads has ever been to encourage those with a mind to experiment with their systems, based on the latest (20th/21st Century's) findings of ACTUAL Physics/science and ignore the Cargo Cult's incessant runway building (objections, convolutions, deflections and obfuscations).

                                                Happy listening!

@audphile1 I had a Pass XP-12 preamp and now running XP-22. Power cords make a difference on these preamps as well. 

I am about to start breaking in a new XP-12 and I will start with the stock cord, can you recommend some cords I should consider if I choose to upgrade?

should called the cable company, try before you buy !

@roxy1927

I have several Shunyata products in my system and every one of them works as claimed by the manufacturer at every price level. You would do well staying with Shunyata. The difference in SQ will be appreciated more and more as the power cord breaks in. May be subtle at first but after 400 hours, switch out the new for the old and you will be very pleasantly surprised. Enjoy!

Are you guys even paying attention??!

He bought a several thousand dollar power cord to replace a $500 dollar one and heard no difference between the two. That is the premise of the thread, NOT he bought a $500 power cord and heard no difference between that and a stock one.

All this demonstrates is that you are a sensible person who doesn’t automatically assume that because he paid $500 for a power cord it sounds better. Congratulations on having such good sense. The power cord mania is pure nonsense. I bought fancy power cords for all my components a few years ago and ended up selling them all because they made no difference in sound. They looked great, but I wasn’t about to turn my units backwards so I could admire them.

@squared80 this is not entirely true. First, often supplied power cables are poor quality. Cost cutting. Pass cables are pretty good actually, properly designed. Hospitals use medical grade connectors - so they care about better power connection, right?

There is indeed a LOT of snake oil. But there are also poorly designed power supplies…

Nelson has an excellent writing on how much Class A amp must weigh. And if weigh less, you are getting scammed. Because amo must have proper power transformers and headsinks and they weigh a lot.

@squared80  (et al)-

Enjoy your snake oil. Anyone who says high priced power cords or speaker wire changes the sound is lying, ignorant, or a victim of confirmation bias.

            Another rerun, since so many of you are a waste of keystrokes:

Cargo cult science is a pseudoscientific method of research that favors evidence that confirms an assumed hypothesis. In contrast with the scientific method, there is no vigorous effort to disprove or delimit the hypothesis. The term cargo cult science was first used by physicist Richard Feynman during his 1974 commencement address at the California Institute of Technology.[1]

Cargo cults are religious practices that have appeared in many traditional tribal societies in the wake of interaction with technologically advanced cultures.

     Do a bit of research and you'll learn those primitives were limited in their understanding of what they saw with their eyes, based on their prior experience, education and BIASES.

                                                A rewind:

                 It isn't that the Denyin'tologists are ignorant.

               It's they're knowing* so much, that's WRONG.

                       *heart of the Dunning-Kruger Effect

                                              OR, two:

     The Church of the Naysayer Doctrine (like every other faith-based, religious cult) has as many dopes as it does Popes.   

     Bring up anything resembling SCIENCE/PHYSICS, dated later than the 1800’s and they become apoplectic, not having the formal education to comprehend the concepts, or- possible ramifications.    THAT would be hilarious, were it not so pathetic!        

           Gimme That Old Time Religion, Gimme That Old Time Religion, etc.

        At the very first mention of something as simple as Wave Function (a BASIC tenet of Quantum Mechanics), the Cargo Cult will label you a KOOK.

        But remember: they can only view/understand you, based on their limited experience, education and BIASES.

         They have overlooked the fact that, if not for the hypotheses/theories and experimentation, regarding Quantum Mechanics: a plethora of modern conveniences, medical devices and the gear they so love, would not exist.

          Had scientists, chemists and inventors shared the doctrines of the Cargo Cult (Denyin'tologists), there would be no semiconductors, computer chips, LASERs, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging devices (MRIs).

                                         Solid State amps?

                                     OOPS (back to tubes)!

                                        Your Smart Phone?

                                        FA'GET ABOUT IT!

                                         Your car's GPS?

                                                NOPE!

    Then too: some may be willfully ignorant and just enjoy being contentious.

                        Others: obtuse, uneducated*, misinformed?

      *Typically, from what's been exhibited here: H.S. STEM, if that, would be a safe inference.

      Either way: the result, when the Cult begins its rhetoric, is a classic demo of the Dunning- Kruger Effect.

                                          But, I digress: 

       Bring up those pesky details, regarding the likes of QED, Dielectric Absorption, Poynting's theorem and possible application/effects, relative to frequency, that our musical signals are carried via photon or wave, outside the conductor and you're a KOOK?

         Again: the Cargo Cult can only understand anyone with an actual background, experience and education in Physics/QED, based on THEIR own beliefs, education, experience and biases

                                      Remember this?.

     One anecdote  that some may find interesting: their walks in the woods and how his father would encourage him to look beyond the fact that something in nature exists, into why and how.

     It saddened him that while attending college, during a visit home and one of their walks: his dad asked what he was learning in college.

     At that moment, Feynman realized: if he tried to explain what he was learning, there was no way his dad could understand.                               

                            It wasn't an insult or condescension.

                                                Just reality.

                                    Oh well: let 'em go build a runway!

                                                    references:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applications_of_quantum_mechanics#:~:text=Examples%20include%20lasers%2C%20electron%20microscopes,systems%2C%20computer%20and%20telecommunication%20devices.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chadorzel/2015/08/13/what-has-quantum-mechanics-ever-done-for-us/?sh=37c459944046

https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/quantum-101/quantum-applications-today

          But: I'm a kook, because I believe in the SCIENCE, from which all that sprang?

     https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/five-practical-uses-spooky-quantum-mechanics-180953494/

           Einstein got that last one wrong (Quantum Entanglement), BUT- I still wish he'd been alive, when the Hubble Telescope proved, what he considered his, "greatest blunder" (his inability to bring symmetry to his field equation, without lambda).

  https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200507/history.cfm#:~:text=Einstein's%20original%20equations%20had%20been,how%20the%20universe%20will%20end.                                            How about that?

Another example of a hypothesis/theory, with no way to EXPERIMENT/MEASURE, what you're sure must be there, in some detectable way, or another.

                                               Just for fun:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/6-times-quantum-physics-blew-our-minds-in-2022/

                                            Happy listening!

 

 

Enjoy your snake oil. Anyone who says high priced power cords or speaker wire changes the sound is lying, ignorant,or a victim of confirmation bias.

@rodman99999 My ed is in applied math, signal processing and hobby is DYI audio. I don't specialize in avionics, it is just I tend to look up what is used in real advanced cases. Just to be sure there is no Barnum... I've seen "big box" fancy looking gear, but when opened it was basically empty inside with 3"x3" poorly soldered board and unshielded power supply. But it costed $$$. So I always check the engineering side.

There is a list of MILSPEC cables that list material, shielding, etc. So it is handy to check if that exotic metals cable wrapped in Japanese silk is truly necessary :-) 

 

roxy1927 OP

119 posts

05-11-2024 at 03:15pm 

Well then Pass is a well known and admired popular brand in the audiophile world. I would like to know if others have used up market cords with Pass and found they did improve the sound.
 

I have owned the following Pass amps: X250.5, XA30.8, X260.8 mono blocks (my current amps). I’ve also experimented with several power cables. I heard the difference every time. The change isn’t always positive. But it’s there and is audible. 
I had Pass XP-12 preamp and now running XP-22. Power cords make a difference on these preamps as well. 
 

As a matter of fact, I’ve not yet owned a component that didn’t react to power cord changes. 

@mikhailark -

...selected to deliver power in environment full of RF interference and when performance may literally mean life or death. They would perform well in a less hostile conditions :-)

     No doubt: they're selected to dependably deliver DC voltages, under those conditions.

     Personally: power cables designed to conduct (perhaps: purify) AC voltages, or: ICs designed for the highly complex musical signals I enjoy, are my preference.

      When it comes to performance, in life and death situations; it's been my experience: firearms are much more dependable.       

      Out of curiosity: what brand of fighter jet cabling have you found to use in your system?

       How did you do your research, or: have you schooling in Avionics?

New video -- 2 Power cords sound test

1) click 3:51. This opens YT window.

2) In YT, make a small YT window (narrow & tall, right half screen) to see the video screen and 2 time stamps (3:51, 9:37 in description) are in the same screen.

3) Listen at least 1 minute each and repeat.

Just relax and feel what comes to your ears when you click.

** Please visit my room (#272) at THE Show 2024, OC. Costa Mesa audio show on June 7-9. Alex/WTA

@rodman99999 - this is exactly what I mean. There is little critical audio listening in the fighter plane, but i am sure quality cables are selected to deliver power in environment full of RF interference and when performance may literally mean life or death. They would perform well in a less hostile conditions :-)

 

@mikhailark -

     I'm fairly certain; very little critical audio listening goes on in fighter planes.

     However: here's something that NASA selected, to conduct power, for their portable LASERs.

 

           https://homeaudio.analysis.plus/faq-items/letter-from-nasa/                            

 

@eurorack of course if you change from a substandard, “crud” power cord to something that’s half decent you should notice a difference. That’s obvious. Crap is gonna limit anything in this world - power cords or not.

What we discussing in this thread is if there’s a difference between a $100 power cord and a $500 power cord and a $4000 power cord.

 

That’s very different from the experience and situation you are referring to, I think.

I own Pass phono stage, headphone amp. Used to own several power amps, starting from Aleph. I use fairly simple cables, properly shielded, soldered and have sufficient capability to deliver appropriate current without picking up additional RF interference. In $100 price range.

I generally think “what would be used in a fighter plane electric power delivery system”…

I prefer my Pass XA160.8 (as well as my previous Pass X250.8) with Cerious Matrix and Lumniscate  power cords. According to Stereophile (and others) Pass Labs uses Silent Source power cords and cables to voice their products and present them at audio shows...

The there is always the option of changing the amp. That will surely change the sound of the power cord. 💡

Well then Pass is a well known and admired popular brand in the audiophile world. I would like to know if others have used up market cords with Pass and found they did improve the sound.

Or does everybody who buys Pass use the stock cord?

I would appreciate if Pass owners and there must be a number of you would respond and let me know what results you’ve found.

 

Power cords can make a huge difference. This difference can be on par with buying a new amp (component upgrade). But unfortunately, cost does not aways dictate compatibility or performance with your gear. You just have to go with trial and error. Its just like buying interconnects, again, trial and error, system dependent. 

@roxy1927 power cord change from original one one of respectful manufacturers, shouldn't make any listenable difference, assuming original cable is healthy. Many used separates are sold with random, no-one knows, power cords, and in that case, replacing it makes sense.

Imagine power supply that works like this. You charge big battery from mains, disconnect it and then use to power your amp with clean DC, disconnected from mains. No noise from electrical lines.

So ideal power supply should work exactly like this, rejecting noise and interference. Amp schematics and parts placement may be more or less sensitive to what comes from the AC mains.

Different amps have different designs and different power supplies. Thus some are more sensitive to power cables and some less. Perhaps yours is in the “less” category.

Maybe you could just fill in the blank as it suits you?

"I find that you only hear a difference in _______  if you really think you will."

 

I find that you only hear a difference in power cords if you really think you will.

The improvements are all in your head . You spend a lot and expect a lot. Power is    power. In M.O. any decent manufacturer of good equipment would consider a minimal investment in power cords good business. This would be easy and inexpensive way to improve their sound quality. While I've seen sound improvements in speaker and interconnect wires without spending Ks. I don't believe a heavier power cable would make much of a difference. Look more to overloaded outlets change 15amp to 20amp circuit breakers Of course this is Only M.O.

My First experience with power cords was back in the early 90's Being in the electrical field I was sceptical at the same time open minded because all wire is not created equally. The Store had the exact same system as mine, Amp speakers and CD player. And they swapped out a $350 Nordost Blue haven cord and I could hear a difference in the store. They gave me the power cable to try in my home and I was shocked to hear the difference. I was not really into audiophile if you will, just enjoyed music at that time. the components were in the wrong part of the room and no treatment, due to being married and she had top have the house look a certain way. Blah Blah Blah.

Fast forward To new upgraded audio gear, and the Wireworld dealer gave me 3 power cords to take home. After a week of listening trying all three, I chose the one in the middle at that time it suited the room and the gear I had. This is where my cable obsession took off. As well the room got re-arranged, and the gear found its new home in the room. Room treatment started as well, and then I upgraded all the cables to Silver eclipse 8 and never regretted it for a moment. I found that once you hit a certain price point in Gear, there is a noticeable difference in cables.

You said “Yes my amp is a stereo Pass 250.8 and the manufacturer said don’t bother”

So, Nelson Pass then properly designed the amp and its power supply. I am not surprised you don’t hear any differences. Why not listen to one of the best engineers?

Depending on the manufacturer a couple of weeks may not be enough break in time.  For example, my experience with Morrow Audio cables take at least 300 hours to break in.  In my experience power cords can have a significant impact depending on the resolving power of your system. Get yourself a break in file on repeat and give it some time. 

           For anyone ACTUALLY interested in doing some study, another rewind:

        Anyone needing a rationale for experimenting with new cables in their system and/or feeling dissuaded by the Church of Denyin'tology's antiquated electrical doctrines: take heart!

        Many new electrical facts have been established in the past 100 years, that support audible differences, between various cables, fuses, etc.

         I couldn't find anything like, "Updated Electrical Theory For Idiots", but- did manage to find something resembling a cartoon, that even a child could follow.  It neither mentions AC/sinusoidal waves in wires, nor does it go into the photon propagation of electromagnetic waves.   It does, however, emphasize/demonstrate how Electrical Theory has progressed, since the 1800s:

              (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGJqykotjog)

        These next two presuppose a certain amount of knowledge, in the field of modern Electrical Theory.    Click, "more" in the first link's third answer, to get its entirety.    Note how it mentions the OLD, "... commonly held misconception that the flow of electricity through a wire resembles a tube filled with ping pong balls...", to which the Denyin'tologists fervently adhere: 

https://www.quora.com/Are-photons-involved-in-all-forms-of-electricity-for-example-when-it-flows-through-wires?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google_rich_qa&utm_campaign=google_rich_qa

                                            and:

        https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=2348

        It's an established (measured) fact that an electromagnetic wave's propagation and speed, are dependent on the materials, of which the transmission line (cable) are made (ie: Dielectric Constant/permittivity).     The better (lower) the Dielectric Constant the better the flow and the longer it takes for that material to become polarized.     One reason anything that comprises an RLC circuit (ie: capacitors, cables, PC boards), takes time to, "form", or, "break/burn-in".*      

          *Something that makes the Denyin'tologists apoplectic.

   https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2019-dielectric-constant-of-pcb-substrate-materials-and-signa....

https://unlcms.unl.edu/cas/physics/tsymbal/teaching/EM-914/section5-Guided_Waves.pdf

          Even the most inane (regarding the Sciences) must admit; braiding and twisting wires eliminates/reduces EMI interference.              
          That must lend credence to various cable geometries.

          That better dielectrics enhance the propagation of electromagnetic waves (ie: your music signal), lends the same credence to choosing cables with better materials (ie: Polypropylene, Teflon, air, etc).

           Of course: anything the Church of Denyin'tology's popes can't fathom, they'll summarily dismiss.

     

         As simple a device as a fuse is: it still carries a sinusoidal signal/voltage, ALWAYS from source to load.

                                                 NOT back and forth!

         Also (as mentioned above): any fuse acts as an RLC circuit, the 'C' of which will be determined by properties of its wave guide's/ conductor's surroundings (ie: glass, air, bee's wax, ceramic, end cap materials, etc).

          Any commonly drawn wire will exhibit a chevron pattern in its crystal lattice, so: why not "directionality" and why OHNO Continuous Cast, single crystal wire sounds better, to so many?

 

                   Stated above are scientifically tested, measured and proven facts. 

                                  There is no "contest", or "dispute" involved.

 

         The OP mentions Maxwell, but: obviously they have no understanding of his theory and possible ramifications as regards the above.

  

          Anyone that feels compelled to harp on not hearing any differences, is obviously too obtuse to understand the term "variables" (as frequently mentioned) and worthy of disregard.

  

          My only goal in these threads has ever been to encourage those with a mind to experiment with their systems, based on the latest (20th/21st Century's) findings of ACTUAL Physics/science and ignore the Cargo Cult's incessant runway building (objections, convolutions, deflections and obfuscations).

 

                                                       Happy listening!

     Back in March 2022: a thread about power cords and break/burn-in was started.

     I hate to type, so: I'm going to copy/paste some of my speculations.

     That a highly complex musical signal, MIGHT affect Poynting vectors and signal speeds*, in interconnects, in a much more profound manner than a simple AC (ie: a fixed 60/50 Hz) signal, in a PC, seems likely (at least) to me, as; in EVERY formula regarding *those two, a signal's frequency (frequencies) always factors in greatly.

     Further: the above and what I'll c/p (seems to me) lends credence to how the application of a stronger, DC voltage/field, outside a dielectric (ala Synergistic MPC and Audioquest DBS systems), might stabilize those vectors and signal speeds, PERHAPS eliminating some time smear and, "burn-in". 

rodman99999 5,456 posts 03-31-2022 at 12:13am    @holmz-       Bear with me a minute, in my folly, far as a possibility on why a power cord might make a difference.       Based on some of the theories on how electricity works, simplified:       The conductor acts as a waveguide for the signal/voltage.       Within the conductor: when excited by an AC current, electrons oscillate, generating photons/electromagnetic waves that travel, always from the source, to the load.        Keep in mind: all signals (ie: music, AC) are sinusoidal  waves        Those photons/electromagnetic waves travel through and outside the dielectric, which (according to it's permittivity/Poynting vectors) will have various effects on those waves.    One of the most obvious is the dielectric's effect on the speed of the signal.       The better designers of printed circuit boards, even take the above into account, when choosing materials for their products.        I posted a link on the first page that included data on the manufacture of semiconductor chips and what was observed when materials were cryo'd, during the process.     Short version: better contact/lowered resistance between layers.           Under the scanning microscope: much smoother surfaces observed.        I would hope, by now, it's a given that various cable constructions, twists, braids, etc, can make for a cleaner transmission of signals (ie: Litz, etc).                     Just seems to me (a hypothesis): given the above (some theories and some things established/measured/proven), it's not a big stretch to believe a power cord, built of the best conductor (ie: Ohno CC silver), wrapped in a very low dielectric coefficient dielectric (ie: Teflon), cryo'd for the smoothest transfer of those photons/magnetic waves and twisted in some crazy way, might not smooth out some of perturbations/noise, from the crap an AC waveform had to go through, back to it's generator.  (run-on, much?)        I haven't tested this, actually comparing two circuits, but: it wouldn't surprise me, if a power supply that used a choke, would be less affected by a better power cord, as the former can eliminate a lot of the high freq garbage, etc, that's either created by, or makes it through all the big converting/filtering stuff, in the power supply, before.        Never thought about PCs before the good stuff hit the market, but: the Physics/QED made sense.             I tried 'em, I like 'em and the science makes my head feel better.                               Don't care WHAT it does to anyone else's!

rodman99999 5,456 posts 03-31-2022 at 12:27am         OH, and: it takes some time for the dielectric to form, take a charge, polarize, or however one chooses to define the process, when a dielectric is subjected to electromagnetic waves, which affects the Poynting vectors, measurably/predictably.                                             The lower the material’s dielectric constant: the longer that takes.                                                               PC (interconnect/etc)  burn-in?    Maybe?

                                                                                         Happy listening! 

"Maybe I’m ignorant, but why would a power chord make a difference to sound?"

- If you are a scientist an EE or an electrician, please risk that overwhelming temptation to try to figure that out. It just gets in the way of enjoying the sound of your system. All of us hear things differently and our brains process them differently, it makes us all unique and similar at the same time. If you try it and can’t hear a difference, fine. If you can’t fine too. Listen to eurorack!

With my "Engineer" brain, I never believed any of this stuff about power cords sounding better/worse, or even different. Then, after chasing an intermittent problem/funny sound, for several months, in an Mc60, I became a believer. I had a cruddy power cord. Changing to a new "high current" cord, the problem immediately vanished and never returned in the 30 years I used that amp.

So yean. Power cords. Relevant.

I think you need to find a new alchemist.

Or a periodic table.

Maybe I'm ignorant, but why would a power chord make a difference to sound? Sure, if the original chord cannot handle the current demand, there would be a voltage drop in the power supply rail but that's only at very loud levels. For 99% of the time there would be zero difference.

                                                          Time for a rewind:

     "Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction."  (Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse , 1872) 

     "The abdomen, the chest, and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and humane surgeon,"  (Sir John Eric Ericksen, British surgeon, appointed Surgeon-Extraordinary to Queen Victoria 1873)

      "The super computer is technologically impossible.  It would take all of the water that flows over Niagara Falls to cool the heat generated by the number of vacuum tubes required." (Professor of Electrical Engineering, New York University)                        

      "There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom."  (Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923)

      "Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances." (Dr. Lee DeForest, Father of Radio & Grandfather of Television)

      "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible!" (Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895) 

      "The bomb will never go off.  I speak as an expert in explosives."  (Admiral William Leahy, re: US Atomic Bomb Project) 

     When the steam locomotive came on the scene; the best (scientific) minds proclaimed, "The human body cannot survive speeds in excess of 35MPH."

      Until recently (21st Century); and the advent of the relatively new science of Fluid Dynamics, the best (scientific) minds involved in Aerodynamics, could not fathom how a bumblebee stays aloft. 

     Often; Science has to catch up with the facts/phenomena of Nature and/or, "reality" (our universe). 

     I haven't been in school since the 60's, but- at Case Institute of Technology; the Physics Prof always emphasized what we were studying was, "Electrical THEORY."         He strongly made a point of the fact that no one had yet actually observed electrons (how they behave on the quantum level) and that only some things can really be called, "LAWS." (ie: Ohm, Kirchoff, Faraday)   

                                    PERHAPS: that's changed in recent years and I missed it?

 

Reality has a harsh way of crushing fantasies.

I think I've been honest in saying I put in an expensive AU power cord and did not hear a difference but I did with the Shunyata. When I have the time I will be experimenting with the AU power cord on different components. The AU gets great reviews and feedback.  Anybody else have experience with this pc?

@atmasphere Not buying it. The voltage drop across a few feet of power cable can't be more than a volt. This is insignificant compared to the normal variability of the supply fluctuations between 114 and 126 VAC.

The reason you can hear changes with power cords has to do with the AC line Voltage drop across the cord. More expensive cables tend to have less Voltage drop.

"Even $100 power cord is not necessary."

- Have you tried an after market cord?

"lordrootman"

We should agree to what "lordrootman" said/thought.

Even $100 power cord is not necessary.

I love to listen to music, not snake-oil like expensive gears.

When you put an expensive part to your audio system, your brain has already inclined to false sense, which mandates " the sound should be better now, yeah, better, ..." Very sad. Sad audiophiles. But,  happier snake-oil makers!

 

Many Years ago when CES was the place for high end audio, I got to meet Nelson Pass and asked him his opinion on power cords.

To the best of my recollection he told me he put a resistor in series with the AC inlet so that the power cord wouldn't matter.

 

My experience is that Power cords are the easiest to hear make a difference compared to other cable types, Digital cables next etc.

 

 

what were you really anticipating in the improvement?  You can get much better permanent improvements with upgrading power supply capacitors and resistors, AC filter chokes, etc.  A power cord cannot touch those kinds of upgrades.

 

Happy Listening.

"Power cords have no effect on audio quality."

- prove it ...

I would be curious if you did a blind test and could hear the difference.  

Power cords have no effect on audio quality.

My opinion, if you bought a quality product, the manufacturer has engineers that designed the power supply for the amp and know the maximum power draw the large electrolytic capacitors draw and the power supply maximum current in order to meet the designed specifications. My Primaluna came with a large gauge conducter. (Large diameter cord) I am sure the cable is copper, not gold or silver. I am not going to be judgemental in saying you wasted your money. I think if the $500 cable makes no improvement as claimed by the manufacturer, then they should honor a refund if they are a legitimate company. I feel bad for your situation and hope you can get satisfaction from the place that sold it or the company that made it.

The point is to improve the signal at any point in the chain before it reaches a component. So a better outlet and power cord makes perfect sense. This doesnt require much imagination.