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Replacing stock cables: where to start

Hi, everyone. I've got stock cables on my Sony S9000ES CD player, Eastern Electric Minimax tube preamp and Bel Canto eVo 4 Gen II amp. They're connected with FIM Silver and Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects and Speltz speaker cables. I like the chemistry of that equipment and figured the next logical addition would be power cords. I've been told that the CD player would be the best place to start, then the preamp and then the amp. Any thoughts on that? Also, I was hoping to spend $175 or less on each cord (5-6 foot lengths). I'd appreciate any advice on which cords would work well with each piece. Thanks.
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Showing 3 responses by audphile1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 
Yep, I'd start with a source first. Get the best cable you can for it. Audience powerChord always worked well on any digital front end component I had. At your price point, for preamp check out Shunyata Diamondback and for amp Shunyata Copperhead. Also look into Virtual Dynamics, Acoustic Zen Tsunami Plus.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 
Jeff_jones, I use power line conditioner as well and the effect of power cords is obvious on the front end components.

There are few ways to compare components and wires. I find it most useful when I go back from a better/"upgrade" cable back to my current cable. For me, this is the most sober way to tell the difference. It is not when you go up, it is when you downgrade that you will feel the difference. I decide if it is worth it or not by what and how much I am missing from an "upgrade" cable and whether or not I can live without the things the upgrade brings.

If the upgrade is not worth it, then it is what it is.

Now let's get back to the original question of this thread, which you didn't address in your post at all.
Blind testing power cords and other cables has been chewed up and spit out on the audiogon and other forums enough times. Scientific test, measurements, all this BS has already been debated.

You hear what you hear. That's what counts. Your system, your ears.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 
Jeff_jones, I found that difference between power cords on a certain component depends on several things. Just to name a few:
1) the overall resolution of the system
2) the quality of power supply in a given component.
3) room acoustics(which also contributes to bullet #1)

also, just how much different a given power cord will sound from a stock cord on a given component also depends on what aftermarket power cord are we talking about.
Example: you will hear bigger improvement over a stock cord with, let's say, a Shunyata Anaconda Helix, than you would by comparing the stock cord to Zu Bok.

Difference between power cords could be as obvious as between interconnects. Things like bass, midrange, instrument separation, air, soundstage, are all affected by cables, including power cords. Also, effect of power cords is cumulative. If you change one, you get certain amount of improvement(with the right cord that is). If you upgrade all, you gain more. Same as with interconnects.
This has been my experience in my system. As we like to say here on the 'gon, YMMV.
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