power cords behave like other "cable", materials used create values of certain parameters, which affect frequency response. in other words, a power cord can affect the spectral balance and complement or reinforce colorations in the rest of your system.
Power cords: does SS vs tubes drive a difference
I've not payed a lot of attention to power cords other than acknowledging they can help, the only one I had until a few weeks ago are the entry level PS Audio Jewel cables. After reading some reviews on how the Wireworld cables help filter noise,improve low volume reproduction I acquired their entry level product, the Stratus 7 and started doing my usual A/B swapping to see whether it made a difference and where it best fit in my system. What I observed was the following
1) the PS Audio Jewel cables were markedly better for high frequency articulation, dynamics and bass with tube preamp, tube integrated amplifier and tube headphone amplifier. The Stratus behaved like the problems I got from having a noise filter between wall socket and gear, snare drums were inarticulate and low bass muffled.
2) The Stratus used with the Oppo 103 or the Metrum Octave cleaned up "grunge" in massed voices providing clearer articulation in choral works like 'Carmina Burana'. I did not detect any differences in dynamics and bass between the two cables used with digital gear.
My end conclusion out of this was that tube amps are fairly wall noise insensitive but need minimal interference with current draw. Digital source gear on the other hand appears to care far less about current draw and far more about noise from the AC source.
Can't draw any conclusions about SS amplification since I don't have it.
Does this match your experience? I am going to pursue new power cables along the lines of the Stratus for CD Player and DAC, wondering if there are any other contenders out there whose design betters the Stratus 7 synergy for digital gear at an entry level price?
1) the PS Audio Jewel cables were markedly better for high frequency articulation, dynamics and bass with tube preamp, tube integrated amplifier and tube headphone amplifier. The Stratus behaved like the problems I got from having a noise filter between wall socket and gear, snare drums were inarticulate and low bass muffled.
2) The Stratus used with the Oppo 103 or the Metrum Octave cleaned up "grunge" in massed voices providing clearer articulation in choral works like 'Carmina Burana'. I did not detect any differences in dynamics and bass between the two cables used with digital gear.
My end conclusion out of this was that tube amps are fairly wall noise insensitive but need minimal interference with current draw. Digital source gear on the other hand appears to care far less about current draw and far more about noise from the AC source.
Can't draw any conclusions about SS amplification since I don't have it.
Does this match your experience? I am going to pursue new power cables along the lines of the Stratus for CD Player and DAC, wondering if there are any other contenders out there whose design betters the Stratus 7 synergy for digital gear at an entry level price?
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