2. cables
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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 2 responses by alexatpos

alexatpos
1,236 posts
 

@aberyclark I 've had Krell Evo 302 with its stock 20A power cable, tried few others, the one from Krell was better and quite enough, imho. Burmester gives power cords with is components (which are also possible to buy separated) and again, they are hard to beat before Nordost Valhalla level. Needless to say, I keep Burmester power cords on my Burmester amp and player.

alexatpos
1,236 posts
 

I thought that (power) cables discussions (pro et contra) on audiophile forum are thing of ancient past. However, for anyone who has doubts, my advice would be to simply insert all Cardas power cords in his system and than change them with Nordost. If one could not hear the difference, its in a wrong hobby, or needs an urgent control of his ears

On the other hand, the ’proper’ question should be why and how the certain manufacturers had managed to make their power cables sound like the rest of their lines, meaning, ic and speaker cables. For example, if you take above mentioned Cardas or Nordost , you will notice that CGR or Nordost Valhalla power cords have the same sound signature as other cablles from that particular line..

So, imho, its obvious that manufacturers have the ways of ’tailoring’ the sound of cables. Would be very curious to know and understand process behind it

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