2. cables
  3. 193538-10803

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
kennyc
1,748 posts
 

If you’re trying to determine “value”, you’ll never get there.

This high-end audio hobby is a small niche market. To cover time, effort, costs included R&D, markups are required.

In this copycat world, cable manufacturers do not give away their secret sauce to their competitors. We consumers are left in the dark also.

So all we have is understanding up to a point, then must evaluate increased sonics at a price - an often fuzzy subjective process.

Finally, seems most have benefited from upgrading their power cables, at least to the next level costing <1k.  Maybe try one on loan for free, or buy used and if unsatisfactory sell it afterwards.  Be very cautious to avoid buying “fake” used cables. 

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,061 posts
 

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

@aberyclark Power cords affect the sound of an amp due to Voltage drop across the power cord. Due to the power draw of our tube amp power cords can affect them quite a lot but not so much for our class D where the power draw at idle is insignificant. If you were pushing that amp hard all the time then the power cord would make a difference in theory; so far we've no feedback on that at all.

 

 

jimmiejamie's avatar
jimmiejamie
15 posts
 

yes ! cables  make  huge  difference. i  have  parasound a21+  ive  replaced standard power  cord  with Nordost, "heimdal"  power  cord. also  use  Nordost rca "heimdal"  between naim pre amp,  and  power amp  , best  thing  is  to  ask your local  dealer  for  an in home  ''try  before  you  buy '' .  most  dealers  will accommodate  you,   good  luck 

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,194 posts
 

A better question may be "why do the manufacturers of a $7,000 amplifier even bother to include a power cable", given that it will be immediately replaced?

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,061 posts
 

A better question may be "why do the manufacturers of a $7,000 amplifier even bother to include a power cable", given that it will be immediately replaced?

@tony1954 Because the customer has to be able to plug it in right away. Even though they may never use the stock cord, if you were a manufacturer and didn't include it you'd hear about it right away.

More to discover