Power Cord Question

Can these 3-prong power cords be used to plug into the rear of components having only 2-prong connectors in the rear without hurting anything or degrading the sound?

If the power cord female IEC connector fits the male connector on the equipment, go for it. Depending on the make-up of the power cord, that will determine the sound change of the equipment it will be used on for better or worse. As for the safety equipment grounding conductor, with-in the cord, it will work slightly as a shield beings it is connected only by the plug and wall receptacle it is plugged into.

My NAD C372 integrated amp has a two prong receptacle on the rear panel but the new power cords use a three prong female ends, thus my question. I find it strange that my audio components use detachable power cords with two prong receptacles: NAD C372 intagrated-amp, Marantz CC4001 CD changer and OPPO DV980H, but my LG LCD TV uses a three prong receptacle for its detachable power cord.

Many manufactures of audio equipment are building their equipment this way. Because of potential ground loop hum problems manufactures are using double insulated AC power wiring instead of having to use the safety equipment grounding method.

With doubled insulated AC power wiring the metal case of the equipment is floating and does not need the use of the safety equipment ground. Jmho eventually all audio equipment will be built this way.

07-25-08: Darkkeys
Jea48 writes: Many manufactures of audio equipment are building their equipment this way. Because of potential ground loop hum problems manufactures are using double insulated AC power wiring instead of having to use the safety equipment grounding method.

With doubled insulated AC power wiring the metal case of the equipment is floating and does not need the use of the safety equipment ground. Jmho eventually all audio equipment will be built this way. ************

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Based on the above explanation is there any reason to go beyond the manufacturers specs by replacing the power cord with another companies power cord in the pursuit of better sound?

Yes..... Many manufactures seem to cut corners when it comes to the power cord. If you check the stock pc it should give you the wire size. Example 18/2, 16/2, maybe 14/2 awg. The first number, before the /, is the wire size number in awg. The number after the / is for the number of conductors within the cable.
I would be surprised if the Amp's pc is bigger than 16/2. (The lower the wire number size, the larger the conductor.
#14 awg is larger than #16 awg.)

When you tried the new aftermarket pcs I am not surprised they did not sound good right out of the box. As others have said you need to burn them in.

Something else, as a rule shielded pc cables will degrade the sound of a Power Amp. For an Amp a heavier wire gauge non shielded cable usually works best.

Shielded pc cables are better suited for digital equipment. The reason being they will reject EMI and RFI noise.
And that works both ways. Interring as well as exiting the digital equipment.

Power cords
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