TLS49 - My interest in checking out power cords is too potentially improve the sound of my system, but the driving force that motivates me is curiosity to find out if I can actually hear a difference in my system rather than any unhappiness with the current sound. |
Mceljo, then just get a power cord and see what happens. It may or may not make a difference. My point is that dedicated lines will definitely make a difference, and with dedicated lines, the power cord has a much greater probability to make a difference, and that difference itself to be greater.
As I said, good luck.
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An interesting tidbit - I brought over my 'audiophile' power cords and interconnects to a friends house who had a system composed of equipment you could get at a typical electronics chain (e.g. BestBuy) and we could barely discern any sound quality difference. In my system I can hear distinct differences with any power cord / interconnect I try. I was pretty surprised, but I can now understand when I read posts from people that say they hear no difference. |
Dave33 - Could you post any specifics on the system that he had? I would be curious to know what speakers, receiver, etc. were in play. |
One key thing about "listening" to changes brought on by inserting different power cords in a resolving system: when you first connect a power cord, the sound of the system will change over time, and it will change several times. The changes in sound can be subtle or more pronounced. This is the "break in" process. After trying many aftermarket power cords on different components over the years, this is my experience. If you're simply trying power cords for a few hours and then removing them, you will not hear the final sound of the system. Again, this is my experience. It may not be your experience. For me, the terms "settling in" and "breaking in" of cables exists. In my opinion, you cannot properly judge a power cord's affect until quite a few hours and days have occurred with that power cord connected. Or, you can run a new power cord connected to some other device (ie. refrigerator, computer, humidifier) before inserting it in your system to break it in. (also called "burn in.") Anymore, I typically don't have the patience for this and simply connect a new power cord to the component and play the system. |
Foster_9 - Do you really believe that you can remember what your system sounded like with the previous power cord installed after many hours of break-in on the new one? I hope you at least swap back for a after the break-in to the original cord otherwise I'd say you are fooling yourself. It is simply not possible to accurately remember the "micro details" after a long period of time, it is hard enough with an instant A/B comparison. |
Mc-now you're arguing with folks expressing their experiences? Many people here have provided what you asked for. Now it's time for you to go play with some power cords. Oh, and don't forget to tell us your experiences. I hope you find they make no difference for you. It would save us another useless thread. |
In auditioning cables, I've gotten into the habit of taking extensive notes on specific tracks. This mitigates the effects of memory and wishful thinking. Not foolproof to be sure, but better than pretending that one's memory alone is sufficient. |
Banquo- I have often taken notes when trying out power cords on a new (used) piece. I have about 6 power cords not in use and upon getting new gear I may use 4 or 5 of them trying to find a good match. I rarely buy new power cords. Mceljo, it comes down to knowing the sound of your system, recordings, and room very well and then you are not just depending on your memory to know what a power cord change is doing to the sound. |
Regarding the last few posts, an additional point that will be obvious to some but I nevertheless think warrants mention in this kind of discussion, is the possibility that things other than the performance of the power cord may change during the breakin period.
Examples being changes in AC line voltage or AC line noise characteristics, and ongoing breakin or aging of system components. Tubed components perhaps being particularly susceptible to the latter possibility, at some stages of their life-cycle. Also, the possibility that cartridge suspensions or speaker drivers may be in different states of flexibility due to differences in usage patterns that occur from time to time. (While I haven't particularly noticed that kind of effect with my speakers or with the cartridges I have used, it certainly occurs to a huge degree with my Stax electrostatic headphones). And, also, the possibility that the components in the system may be in unequal states of warmup during the various stages of the comparison, given especially that some folks believe that solid state components can take 24 hours or more to reach a stable warmup state.
As I see it, without a very disciplined methodology it's especially easy in audio to attribute a perceived change to the wrong variable.
Regards,
-- Al |
Power cords do make a difference. Some is comparable to a component upgrade. |
Power cords do make a difference. Some is comparable to a component upgrade. |
Mt10425 - You are correct that I'm questioning the validity of making a comparison between what I heard today after several hundred hours of listening to what I remember hearing previously. The responses from Banquo363 and Foster_9 provide a level credibility to their comparisons as they are attempting to take some objective data.
I'm stated that I'm a generally a skeptic when it comes to power cables but I'm open to the idea that the improvements could be real. Part of the process for me is to try and sift through the many responses and try to make sense of it. I know from my experience that on some days my system seems to sound better than others and I suspect the differences could be attributed to a variety of things ranging from where I'm sitting, to changes in the accoustics in the room from things being moved slightly, to neighbors making toast next door and messing up my power, to my mood. I can't objectively distinguish any constants so it would be virtually impossible for me to think that I have enough control over the many variable that effect how I experience my system to make any comparision that was separated by any length of time.
I've seen measured data showing how much room accoustics can change the audio response by simply moving a couple of inches. I've also experience how different my system sounds if I sit in a different spot. I realize that a lot of the people on this site have a much more controlled listening environment than I do, but things like this do make me interested to know more when certain types of statements are made. |
Mc-I would understand your question if someone let cables play on their own for a hundred hours then started listening. Memory might play some games. However, as I continuously listen through the break-in changes, I certainly can make sound distinctions. I also (probably with everyone else), have days when external power factors make things sound worse. I usually start thinking about resetting my speakers or tweak something. After checking the speakers with my laser pointer, I leave everything alone and in the evening (when less folks are on the grid) it sounds fine again. I hope you try some Cullen P/Cs for selfish reasons. They look interesting to me and I'd be intrigued by your observations. Good luck. |
IMO amps go directly into wall. Digital and phono pre amps seem to benefit the most with PCs. I had an eye opening experience trying Anticable's new Reference Level 3 cord. It made a significant improvement to the sound/music. |
The power cord has made more of an improvement in my system than any other cable. $150 power cords made little improvements. I bought a BMI HH5 power cord and was stunned. There wasn't a doubt for a second at that point what really well made power cables are capable of. |
