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Power Cables and Wall Sockets

Without knowing for certain, it seems to me that power cables can only be as good as the in-home wiring coming to the wall socket. Is it possible that those who use expensive cables have improved the wiring to the socket? Or is the power from most wall sockets normally excellent, but is limited by conventional power cables?

imaninatural

Showing 1 response by williewonka

williewonka
3,110 posts
 

@imaninatural - regarding yout original post

it seems to me that power cables can only be as good as the in-home wiring coming to the wall socket. Is it possible that those who use expensive cables have improved the wiring to the socket?

Having a dedicated line is beneficial, but it is not the whole story, i.e. in order to achieve benefits from using a quiality power cables.

Here’s how it was explained to me

  • at each connection point in a "power supply line" you have a voltage
    • so at the breaker panel you have 120v
    • the attached outlet socket also has 120v
    • the component end of the power cables has a 120v
    • but here’s where it gets interesting...
      • provided the voltage i.e. AT THE POINTS OF CONNECTION, is stable, the energy transfered is subject only to the "properties" of the attached wiring
      • so the "quality" of the energy conveyed to the component by the attached power cable is subject to the quality of the wire and connectors used in that power cable
  • this occurs at EVERY point of connection within a power supply line
  • granted, there may be some transfer of noise, but that tends to be a result of interference or distortions imposed on the 120v sine wave. In which case it’s the voltage that is actually no longer "stable"

So while installing a dedicated line will have benefits - a good power cable on a component will ALWAYS prove to be benefical regadrless of the quality of the in-wall wiring

What to look for in order to enhance a power supply line (i.e. other than a dedicated line)

  • good outlet sockets
    • I use MRI grade hospital outlets
      • they clamp like a vice, which is very important
      • they are better at preventing arcing
      • there are no ferrous metals used
  • quality power distribution bars (if needed)
    • like those from Furutech
  • quality power cables that use
    • UP-OCC wire - this improves dynamic performance
    • Silver plated copper connectors - improves details
    • insulation with low Dielectric Constant - improves clarity

I, and others have observed improved in sound quality on systems costing from $200 to over $70k just by upgrading the quality of the power cables and all of them attached to generic house wiring.

Take a look at Zavfino power cables

So how much benefit will a power cable provide?

  • Power Amps tend to have a very robust internal power supply
    • so they have a tendency of not showing as much of an improvement as Source components do
    • they generally require higher quality power cables
  • Source components (i.e. those built to a budget ) will generally exhibit noticeble improvements
    • because the designer tends to "skimp" on their internal power supplies - e.g. those using...
      • wall wart power supplies
      • the use of USB power
      • poor transformer design
      • small two pin plugs

Regards - Steve

 

 

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