2. cables
  3. 1351961132

Power Cords - Just Say Yes

I'm the biggest cable skeptic on the planet. I've never been able to tell the difference between one speaker cable over the other. I've never a/b tested because I just can't handle that sort of thing when all I want to do is listen to music. The power cord however is a whole different beast. I know. I just replaced a 18/3 that was powering my Rogue Cronus Magnum for two years with an Audioquest NRG4. I know some people aren't fans of AQ but that's what my local guy sells and I support him 100%. He sold me a broken in demo which is exactly what I wanted. I didn't do an a/b test and I didn't have to. I pulled the old one out and tossed it in the copper recycling pile and replaced it with the AQ. I fired up my amp this morning and let her warm up. I pulled out Sylvain Luc & Bireli Agrene's 'Duet' and hit the play button on the remote. Right off the bat I had to blink my eyes to make sure I was actually in my house. Everything tightened up with a dead silent background. I feel like a fool for waiting so long to come around on this one. I'm still skeptical of whether or not I will notice a difference when I replace the power cord to my CDP, but if you tell me I'll notice I might believe you. Either way, that's my next investment.
donjr

Showing 3 responses by akg_ca

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,335 posts
 
AMEN to the improvements invoked by swapping in quality power cords.

(1) Please note that some power chords (and particularly the plugs in those cords) work better than others with the particular kit you are running: it requires some swap-in/swap-out auditioning to see which works best for you.

(2) Dedicated power lines with quality hospital grade plugs (or better) will give you as much a further improvement as the new power cords themselves.

(3) Point (1) is echoed with a further quantum leap improvement for getting "right" quality speaker cables and ICs tailored to your system. To only go #(1) and #(2) on the upgrade path without invoking #(3) is a significant restriction/omission resulting in only a nominal first step in the sonic improvement journey.
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,335 posts
 
Polk432 ....

Not wishing to sensationalize the obvious or trivialize the important.... but does this upgrade pathg also involve a pathway (now or later) for swapping in quality audiophile grade wall power plugs and/or a dedicated power line?

The effects of these other tweaks individually and together -- as prominent as to the insertion of a quality power chord -- are not subtle.

I've used HUBBELL hospital grade wall plugs as well as eventually migrating up to the goldplated all-Cu FURUTECHs. The improvements from the HUBBELLs to the FURUTECHs are incremental and "bang-fer-yer-buck" depends on how revealing your system is.

I would start with the HUBBELLs or equivalents: they are the inexpensive and logical first step minimum "ying and yang" extension to the insertion of any upgraded new power cord.
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,335 posts
 
Your insurance company, for starters.

In the event of ANY mishap, a departure from building code (particularly where it is an override instead of a mistake) will likely void your insurance coverage.

Not Recommended IMO' when a properly grounded dedicated line to a quality hospital grade wall plug at a minimum, (with an option of migrating up to gold plated all Cu models) will get what you want.

There is a reason why they use these are required in hospitals: to eliminate the risk of a spark or arc when you plug something in.
More to discover