Power Cables and Wall Sockets

@clearthinker … “Like many others you say the last six feet of passive cable can make a big difference.  How?”

Like a lot of things in audio… my brain says it shouldn’t matter and when I make a change the sound difference is quite striking. So experience says with absolute certainty, it does.

I have read a lot about why. I remember there is a video… I think by the founder of Shunyata explaining how to look at power… not as hose from the generator but as a tap from a lake. I’ve read quit a bit… honestly I just am not that interested to know. I am sure lots of folks here can point to references.

My dealer dropped an AudioQuest Variable Power cord (~$1.5K) the other day. I replaced my Cardas Clear Beyond with it. Wow… a startling difference… quieter background improved details without any loss of warmth. This isn’t the one made for power amps… damn… looks like I am going to be buying a $5K power cord.

@ditusa ’

Very rational… makes sense… the only thing is. It is not true.

Thanks Mike. It was a pleasure meeting you. If you are game the pandemic has wound down enough for another visit. I’d be happy to have you over again. The Audio Quest amp power cord has really notably improved the imaging, depth, and taken away the rose cast. I am really happy that it is perfectly on target… finally. Also, I still have the Audio Research Ref mono blocks as well as my stereo ARC Ref 160s. John is leaving me the monoblocks for a while longer.

I am going to be very interested in hearing the results of your electrical investment… now that you went one more step with specialty in wall copper, as you know I went with standard contractor 10 gauge wire in the wall.

Sadly a $5K power cord can make an astonishing improvement. A couple of direct lines can make a real improvement. As someone mentioned… it is additive. Each step need justify its cost in sound quality improvement.

I think most people start by upgrading power cords first. Even if you have previous experience with power cords, I think there is a natural desire to reinforce / rediscover why they are worth it. Once you realize / remember how big a difference they make… it is easier to do something that cannot be returned and stays with the house. I recently got equipment that used 20 amp plugs on the component side… so I had to buy all new ones… oh, Yeah, they can make a big difference. I am still experimenting with my amp power cord.

Direct lines make a big difference… standard gauge or better. Two lines are preferred… a 10 gauge (or go wild) for the amp, the other for the rest of the components. By the way even with a direct line… my system sounds better with my power conditioner than without.

@clearthinker

I have swapped out power cords long ago to optimize them… but hadn’t touched them in a couple decades. When I did my last upgrade about a year and a half ago my new components used 20amp connectors to the components. All of my existing cords were 15a. So, I started with stock. Then my dealer lent my a bunch of Cardas. All my stuff is Audio Research. The DAC still had a 15a connector so I started there I had WireWorld, DH Labs, JPS, Cardas… hree different grades, and Transparent… and a couple more. The difference was pretty noticeable if you know what my system sounds like… particularly between the Cardas and others… Cardas wonderfully warm but lowering the details and tipping the balance too warm. The DH Labs and wire world were detailed but lost bass… Transparent just nailed it.. very detailed - natural sounding with great bass. The differences are fairly substantial. There was a clear winner… Transparent. I did this with each piece of equipment.

Then it came to my amp. This was much more problematic. The Transparent was just thinner (I was not using the cord made for amps… this might explain it)… but Cardas Clear Beyond was too warm… but the bass was outstanding… mesmerizing. I would occasionally switch to something else… but then have to go back to the Clear Beyond… but still not completely happy with the details… a bit too rosy.

Finally my dealer brought over a AudioQuest Hurricane. Wow… the difference is just plain huge. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to hear the difference (I have a non audiophile coming over this weekend to listen, we will see). Not quite a component level change… but close (much bigger than the switch to the REF 160 mono blocks from the REF 160 stereo unit)… but huge. The Hurricane increased drops the noice floor, solidifies images, and greatly defines the bass notes in space much better… all without overly warming the system and remaining natural.

My dealer dropped by to drop my TT off. Without explaining what I heard I had him listen to the Cardas then the AudioQuest. He then described what he heard…. And exactly described in virtually the same words what I had heard. A very big and profound difference all positive. In my system, the change bigger that the direct line I put in. The direct line made a large difference… this was bigger. They are additive so this is great. The direct line cost almost exactly what the power cord costs ~$1,700.

Anyway. I have not been dealing with every change sounding better, each being trade offs… but trying to get my amp (system) right… I am ecstatic to have found the right power cord for my amp. There is one AQ above the Hurricane… it has silver in it… I know that is going to give more details but will tip the balance to the treble. My experience definitely says I don’t need to try that one,

I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally found a solution for my amp. I have been struggling with this for a year. This power cord Is a very significant improvement for my system… a change in sound quality worth many times the cost. I originally thought it was a $5K power cord… I would have purchased it… it is worth the cost in my system… although I don’t have $5K to spend.

@clearthinker

Also. I have not played with the power cord for my turntable. My first reaction to changing power cords to a turntable is “how could that help”… but I know the only way to find out is try it. I have some other things I want to do to my system before fiddling with that.

About perceptions being psychological. They can be, mine are not. I am sure some folks are prone if new to the pursuit and inexperienced or overly emotional. I am very familiar with all the studies on preconditioning… etc.. my primary field of study outside of work has been metaphysics and epistemology… which has led to a study of consciousness and finally cognitive and developmental psychology… which oddly enough, in which my partner of 36 years has a Masters and PhD.

Anyway. I have spent many hundreds of hours observing and “measuring” the differences of different cables, interconnects, and cords. About twenty years ago I developed measures… different dimensions of how they effected sound… like tonal balance, micro details etc. I used a particular brand and model as a standard. Then rated them on scales of 1 to 10. Anyway… I really got in to it. I could come back months later an rate and hear exactly the same differences. Then occasionally some combination of equipment and cable or interconnect will have a huge effect. Anyway…. I can go on and on. If you don’t truly know your system and have not had a lot of experience and buy something well reviewed.. the confirmation bias and other bias’ can come into it. But, if you spend the time and are analytical you can easily dig below that level and make real comparisons of the actual sonic effects.

There is a hazard in drawing conclusions from composition of a component. Ultimately it is the overall design and components, and how they work together. The AudioQuest Hurricane is the best power cord I have heard. As Millercarbon points out…. It takes an lot of effort and experimentation to determine ideal configurations.

There are a couple ways at looking at the sound of PC, interconnects and cables. In general, and in a specific system. I have extensively used a dozen brands. You can bucket them into increasing quality… quieter, more dynamic… etc. So you go form ok to great… then there is how they do in your system. One might slightly tip the tonal balance and another not. So, to me the AudioQuest Hurricane is a very high performance power cord and it is also very suitable in my system.