Question for Atma-sphere, will expensive power cables improve your amplifiers?


The reason I am asking is I feel manufacturers of high quality components include all that is ever needed, power cable wise. Sure, some people buy power cables because they need special lengths or have some out of the ordinary "noise" issues that need extra insulation. Some even like the visual aspect of the aftermarket cables. I’m just curious why many spend thousands of dollars on such when the manufacturer has taken the power cable into account when producing the product. I cannot see a High-quality audiophile component maker (especially some that sell volume) pass on a few dollars for a better sounding power cable if indeed the cable improved their product. I cannot see a person buying that $7000 amp is not going to balk if the product was introduced at  $7100 (with the better cable). 

I wonder if Luxman, Accuphase, McIntosh, Gryphon...you name it "dressed" their power cables up to look like expensive aftermarket cables, owners would be so quick to "upgrade"?

I’d be curious to hear Ralph’s opinion on the subject

aberyclark

Showing 3 responses by 61falcon

Some of the power cables I've seen pictures of are really thick and exotic looking. What could those manufacturers be doing in those designs? Are they adding capacitance or inductance that affects sound? I think most posts on this thread are just concerned with voltage drop so if you have proper gauge, that shouldn't be an issue. Most of my big class A/B amplifiers draw well under 6 amps so 14 gauge, 6' power cord should cover my needs.

Some years ago, I had a Bryston 4BSST2 amplifier that would occasionally go out on a safety fault. I contacted Bryston technical support and the first concern they had is if I was using a non-OEM power cord. They explained that some of the "hopped up" cords could cause that condition and really frowned on the after market cords. It turned out to be a ground loop but I found the manufacturer's concern interesting.

No, they did not explain exactly how it would cause that. They did ask for a good description of the cord and wanted to ensure it was a Bryston OEM cord. That's why I was wondering what the exotic cords to to the AC signal that could create an issue e.g. greater capacitance or maybe a lot of inductance?

I'm not atmosphere, but I'll take a stab @immatthewj question:

Standed wire in cords allows it to be flexible cord. If you used one solid strand of copper, it would be inflexible and prone to damaged if flexed too much. single strand in the walls is fine because it is a permanent installation and not subject to flexing.