Prioritizing Power Cable Upgrades by System Component.

If you have not done any upgrades yet, start with W Audio power cables that you can get for about $50 each on Amazon and then pick up a true audiophile cable brand and try it in different places in your system.  A W Audio power cable made a significant improvement on my integrated.  I can't say that it did anything for either my DAC or power conditioner, but I have not spent a lot of time trying to isolate it one way or the other.  I've a lower level audiophile that isn't after improvements that I have to repeatedly A/B to identify a different or preference.  The W Audio power cord was a clear improvement for my Pathos Classic One MKIII that I recognized immediately.  It was significant enough that it started me down the path of exploring cables a bit when I had mostly been a cable agnostic before.

I have upgraded power cables a couple times. About 25 years ago and over the last couple years. Having just made the final decision on the most important component in my system, the amp… I am done for a while. See my User ID for my systems.

So, make sure you got your speaker cables and interconnects dialed in. I think I would then go for the amp… that was by far the biggest difference in no small way for me. You want a high current design. 

it depends on your equipment but think on the order of 10% the value of your component. My amp, for instance cost $22K, and I tested power cords from $800 to $3500… I found that a $1,800 was jaw dropping lay good. You cannot choose exclusively by price. But if you have a $5K component look at the $500 range… and even better look in that range used from UsedCables. 
 

Power cables typically are the last, but really important change that can make a big difference.

on another thread one member here made a good point

the influence of the power cable is inversely proportional to the quality and sophistication of the built in power filtering and power supply of any component... i think there is wisdom in this... and i would say, over time, units like pass labs --  which has exceptional power supply and filtering design -- reacts minimally to aftermarket power cables

once again I'm going to disagree with a lot of members here but there are members here who agree with me.  Some are actually on the other side of my belief here.   I will say that I've got a much better understanding of the phsics behind electricity than just about everyone here.  But a lot of people say that there are many things in audio that are not explainable by physics and you just have to trust your ears.  I'm more a science guy.  The beauty is that everyone makes their own decision.

I would never install an amp without an upgraded power cable.  Many amps now don't come with a power cable because the throwaway cable isn't appropriate.  (I have a new amp on order and the literature says that.)  But you can buy a cable that will get you 99% on ebay for $50.  

Other components probably aren't going to benefit from an upgraded cable because they do not have spikes in their power damand. 

Jerry

@carlsbad So, in terms of priority, are you saying power amp first?

then what? how would you prioritize?

@imaninatural  Yes power amp first.  Then I would make sure all my other cords are at least 14 gauge.  A name brand (Tripp lite) 14 ga power cord on Amazon is $11.  So in my system the DAC is the most important component sound wise.   My system generally only had 3 components in the signal path and one is digital so dont really affected by power cord:  streamer, DAC, integrated amp.  So on both my amp and DAC I have a nice power cord with good copper wire and good conductors.  I"m planning to make a new cord soon with braided 10 awg quality wire braided  and shielded. The shield is more to protect the signal cables in the vicinity.  But I'm saying this knowing that others strongly disagree with me.  Listen to both halves of the discussion. 

I really don't know what kind of power supply is in a turntable now so someone else will hae to discuss that. 

Oh yeah--powered speakers.  Give them a 10 awg power cord too.  Especially subwoofers.  they need lots of power.

Jerry

There is so much more to power cables than just the gauge of the wire. Carlsbad, you are so far off, your reply was foolish. 1st, the owner needs to check with the component manufacturer to see what the minimum amp rating is required before any assumptions. 14ga for an amp but 10ga for a speaker? You don’t know what you are talking about. I know of amps that require 20 amp cables and 14ga isn’t going to work. I also know many speaker and subwoofer companies that use smaller than 10ga wire for their power cords. My cable to my power amp is rated for 30 amps.

There is much more to wire than just the gauge: copper/silver, multi strand/solid, shielded/not, sheathing used, and especially termination connectors.

After doing my own testing over 15 years ago, every component in my audio systems has an after market power cable. I have a few thousand dollars worth of a couple cables in a box (due to changing of equipment) just in case I buy a new audio component.

I try to keep my system simple. 

Star configuration outlet for All your electronic, and this is Best direct from the wall if possible. 

Start with your power distributør if you not have wall outlet star configuration. Your outlet distributor should then be a star configuration. 

Then Source, i have a cd transport and a DAC. The DAC is the most importent of the TWO but Source first. 

My integrated amp next. If i have had pre+amp combo, then the pre first and amp. second. 

Then my speakers (Quad)

This is my experience. 

Source first, if you have preamp and amp components consider the preamp as a source. 

@imaninatural 

In my opinion the answer is - it depends. 
A power cord upgrade on DAC can make just as significant improvement as the right power cord would on the amplifier.
If your system is able to resolve the differences a power cord upgrades make I’d say DAC, pre-amp or amp…doesn’t really matter where you start however the subwoofer would be last on the list. 

Also, keep in mind that there are power cables that work better on DACs than they do on pre-amps or amps and vice versa. 

Just my $0.02. 
 

“the influence of the power cable is inversely proportional to the quality and sophistication of the built in power filtering and power supply of any component.”

That quote sounds good, makes sense. But my experience definitely does not confirm it, nor at first blush refute it. This would need to be backed up by lots of observations. I can think of lots of possible contra examples from my experience but most are confounded by some factor. But, better sounding equipment is much more sensitive to small differences… so I have my doubts… I would always test. 

OP, definitely power amp first with emphasis on current. Then (I think) source with emphasis on isolation… shielding. Then in between.

I'd probably agree with amp first, but then you only expose another weak link with each PC. In the end all equipment is important, but I guess you have to start somewhere, can only say I'm happy I'm done with it. I too keep previous upgrade cables, never know when they'll come in handy at some future date. But then I use this philosophy on everything in system, way too much audio stuff in house.

@carlsbad  - This sort of aligns with my experience of hearing a significant improvement with the $50ish W Audio power cable on my Pathos integrated amplifier, but not with my other components.

Power amp, pre-amp, electronic crosovers, then signal sources: tape decks, CD/DVD payers, tuners, etc. Get good speaker cables and interconnects before worrying about power cables. Big improvements don't have to be expensive. Amazon lists serious power cables from $40. A used cable will save you $$ and not need break in.

I would start with one known good cable from a reputable manufacturer rather than a throwaway that may or may not be the highest quality.  On the amp.  The difference you hear will probably motivate you to stay upmarket.  I didn’t spend a lot, Straightwire pro thunder for my amp was pretty affordable and I was able to  buy direct since there is no distributor in my state.  I A/B tested with computer cords, the difference made me a believer.

I found the biggest improvement was on the power amp. If you want to upgrade one PC at a time - which is the wise way to do it, start on the power amp. 

As you work through the components the improvement will become less and less, so I would suggest get a good cable with good current capacity. (Don't skimp) Also check with the manufacturer what lengths they recommend. I found with Wireworld cables the longer the better, but the opposite some others. 

I use an Acoustic Zen Tsumani "Plus  power cable with my CD player: an Ayre CX7 MP which is supposedly my best source as recommended by an audio specialist

. The other components are a Conrad Johnson PV14L SE pre-amp and a P.S. Audio S300 power amp both use Pangea quality power cords  The Acoustic Zen cord is at least 15 years old, also awkward and thick and difficult to plug into the Furman power line conditioner.  I might move it over to the power amp or want to replace it with something newer. 

Cheers to all; It's great to be back on these forums

sunnyjim.  

@imaninatural  - RE:...

For those that have upgraded power cables, how would you prioritize between the pre-amp (tube), power amp (ss) and powered sub...and possibly even the DAC? 

That depends an whether you want...

• immediate grattification...
  • then start with the source components and work backwards to the power amp
• get a sense of what your components are capable of
  • start with the amp and work forwards to the source components

Source components tend to show a significant improvement because their power suipplies are not as robust as those power supplies in the amp

• so the power cord on the amp really should be a top performing PC.

It is very impoertant to select good power cables - look for

• UP-OCC wires in theri construction - they provide excellent dynamic perofrmance
• advanced insulations - these lower the noise floor of the cables and promoted better clarity and imaging
• advacned cable geometry - again, helps lower the noise floor
• quality connectors - I use Sonar Quest silver plated solid copper mains and IEC connectors

If you are not into DIY take a look at these cable brands that adopt the above qualities 

• Audio Envy - great value aty a modest price
• Zavfino - great cable geometry, excellent perofrmance, but a little more pricey

Godo luck with your quest

If you are starting with just one upgraded power cord..

amplifier first if amp is plugged into wall. Then power conditioner for source components with the second power cord upgrade.
If you have everything plugged into power conditioner then power conditioner first, amp second. Preamp then dac then streamer. 
At some point, upgrade your outlets. 

 

I auditioned upgraded cables tehy were Shunyata Venom NR….  The impact was improved dynamics and details. And one of the sonic effects was the improved detail and control of lower frequencies - I think the cables reduced noise entering the compound thus creating a lower noise floor.
 

I started with source and there was a similar impact on my amps. I bought all at the same time. 

If you can audition- I’d be curious on your experience…enjoy the process. 

"amplifier first if amp is plugged into wall. Then power conditioner for source components with the second power cord upgrade."

audphil1...could’nt agree more after installing new "diy" cable for power conditioner.Have just cd plugged into...amp into wall.Man was an interesting listening night last night🔌🚀

Just keeps getting better...not only power conditioner,but what it does for cd player and its cable.That whole chain is upped the ante.