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Power Cords - Shielding or No Shielding

I have been researching power cords (PC) this past week and I must say, I find this far more frustrating than researching any other part of the audio system.

It may be a false hope, but I desire to purchase a "generic", if you will, PC that works well everywhere, I can't say now what piece of gear it will be on and even if I did, that piece may change at some point. I suspect some will say that just like other gear plan on changing as necessary; I am hoping not to do so. Anyway, I am getting off topic.

Most PC's I read about have shielding, but Audience claims on their Web site that they do not use any on their PowerChord stating, "The powerChord by audience is not shielded. We have found that shielding power cords can be sonically detrimental." More can be read here.

What is the collective thought on this?

As if the cost of interconnects and speaker cables weren't out of control (IMO), PC's are right there with them. I have already doubled the price I started out to spend and it's going up!
brianmgrarcom
buscis2's avatar
buscis2
468 posts
 
Brian, welcome to the somewhat confusing world of cabling. I think much of the confusion is actually introduced by the manufacturers themselves. If you compare let's say, 10 different cables, by 10 different manufacturers, they will all have their own "proprietary" way of doing things. A lot of these "proprietary" ways are actually procedures that almost all manufacturers are using.

As you read about shielding, you must first determine the reasons said manufacturers are shielding. Some manufacturers shield for RFI/EMI rejection, some shield for field suppression (an electrical field created by a conductor passing current). And Yes, if shielding is improperly utilized, it can make for a sonically "dead" sounding cable.

There are very few manufacturers providing sensible reasoning as to why their design/manufacturing procedures work. They just simply state that they do in fact work and provide the "best sound". What the hell does that mean?

I come from an engineering background. It is very hard to sell me on how things work. I need to know why. It's a personal issue I've learned to live with. I'm going to refer you to a site that I have referred many people to. I am referring you for one reason, and one reason only. It makes sense.

This is my own personal disclaimer: I am not referring you because of any specific brand. I am referring you because the reading although somewhat brief, is quite interesting. It is probably one of the only manufacturers that cuts through some of the crap. I'm sure that there are certain manufacturers that would prefer not to have this type of information disclosed.

I hope this helps and provides some additional insight.

http://www.latinternational.com/index.php/page-10020.html

audio_profiler
13 posts
 
You will find that most power cords are shielded. Their are quite a few well priced cords on audiogon, diy that they will even assemble for you. If you want a cord for your cd/dvd, one of the most liked seems to be the JPS digital and if you do asearch on these you will find out why. They sell very fast when offered on the used market. If you want to step up from the diy cords that I mentioned, I think that you will find there is a big jump in price for a small gain. Be very cautious, because I see alot of mid priced cords that are made of cheap materials or not the best design, but they still charge the mid prices. Just do a search, because there are a lot of good power cords at all price levels.
brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
Thanks Buscis2, actually, I have owned a couple LAT AC2 power cords and I have read the info Lou has posted.

Audio_profiler, I thought heavily about the JPS Digital AC, in fact I posted a wanted ad, received a reply but let it go. My reasoning was two fold, I really want a cable that will work well "anywhere" and I after reading a couple reviews on it, it seems it works VERY well on a DAC but wasn't so hot on a transport, suspecting maybe to much filtering, I believe; this left me with "questions". That said, I am sure it does do a very good job in the right circumstances.
davehrab's avatar
davehrab
380 posts
 
Many cables and cable mfger's design their cables for specific application. How many times have you read that a cable worked great on a DAC, but wasn't as impressive when used on a amp or P/conditioner

Low level and digital componets would have slightly different requirements than high current (amps) and power conditioners. Low level and digital componets seem to like shielded cables that are very linear. They seem to like very stable (linear), noise free, current. Amps and P/Conditioners on the other hand are less fussy about shielding and seem to like larger gauges to bring in more current. The power supplies in Amps (if properly designed)with bipass caps or filters, and their rectifying circuts can handle the on line noise better, so may require less shielding. P/conditioner by design are supposed to be able to eliminate most on line noise. Funny thing, how many times have you read about a P/Conditioner being improved by the power cord feeding it.

Just check out some of the PC cord mfger's, Elrod has a EPS2 for low level and a EPS3 for high current, JPS has various models and some specific for digital(probably has a small shunt filter from the neutral to ground) Shunyata and CH Venhaus also make application specific cables and check out Wolff Cables who makes a different source and gain cable with a carbon shield.

One other cable mfger I would like to mention is Essential Sound Products. Their cables work equally well on source and high current (one cable fits all) and this has been commented on in a number of reviews in the past.

Do you still have that silver and black 1957 corvette???

HTH Dave
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