What do you think of this power cord?

I made my way to the breaker box in my garage (whew!).  The breaker for the room where my stereo system is located is a 15 amp breaker.  Most of the outlets in my house are on 15 amp breakers.

One thing I should tell you is that my house was built in the mid-50’s and had the two prong outlets without the opening for the ground.  When an electrician was doing some other work, I asked him about getting grounding receptacles in place of the original ones, so that I wouldn’t need to use those adapters.  He told me that it would be expensive to re-wire the house but that I could still install the three prong receptacles if he replaced the existing circuit breakers with appropriate breakers.  Thus, I wouldn’t have grounded outlets but it would be legal and safe to do it that way.  So we did.  Thus, I do not actually have grounded outlets.

Neither do I have a power conditioner.  I have two Furman power strips that all my equipment, including a large TV, are plugged into.  Every spot on the strips is in use and I could use more.  I could check to see how expensive it would be to have two dedicated outlets installed, if that would help given my current situation.  My understanding is that the dedicated outlets could be grounded, right?

Just FYI, the Oyaide connectors on that cord are counterfeit.

Genuine Oyaide connectors don't have metal inserts for the side screws that you can see in the images, the fakes do.

Let’s add one more brand with inexpensive cables that look fine, are reasonably flexible, and come in different lengths.

https://www.zuaudio.com/cable?category=Power

They do sell on eBay via auction. It is them, not somebody else selling their cables. Their offers on eBay get regularly updated so, if you do not see what interests you today, check it out in a day or two.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/zu_promos/m.html?item=363074552303&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

I would second that, bought 3 Zu Mission power cables on their eBay promo auctions , price/performance is just ridiculous, it is well under $100. ( And what’s funny 2m lengths are often go cheaper than 1m, even though they are preferable sound wise). They are pretty neutral, good at freq extremes and midrange is nicely clean, good bass also. Quite universal cables. In my system I preferred them to Cardas, Chord and Mark Grant cords that I used before. If you want to upgrade a stock cord, it’s a no brainer.

Wow, those are good prices!  Might just have to jump on that. Thanks for link

Bob, I see the unenlightened out in full force telling you that power cables are a waste of money and to go eat ice cream!

Power cables do make a difference and although I have not heard them, Audio Envy get great reviews. Consider a used cable to get something better for the same price. If you can DIY then that's best value of all. I have Oyaide Black Mamba V2 which is stunning and feel it can compete with some big $$$ cables.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/20028465790?iid=142383656227&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid... 

If you shop around you can find cheaper than this.


I bought a 3M piece and cut in half to make 2 cables. I used different IEC plugs on the amplifier end and found that they sounded different. So using the same piece of cable I got different results. Not only do the cables sound different, so do the connectors.

Anybody telling you otherwise has either not tried a good cable, has a poorly resolving system, as in bad or has substandard hearing.

@cakyol, which category do you fit?

One thing I should tell you is that my house was built in the mid-50’s and had the two prong outlets without the opening for the ground.  When an electrician was doing some other work, I asked him about getting grounding receptacles in place of the original ones, so that I wouldn’t need to use those adapters.  He told me that it would be expensive to re-wire the house but that I could still install the three prong receptacles if he replaced the existing circuit breakers with appropriate breakers.  Thus, I wouldn’t have grounded outlets but it would be legal and safe to do it that way.  So we did.  Thus, I do not actually have grounded outlets.

Neither do I have a power conditioner.  I have two Furman power strips that all my equipment, including a large TV, are plugged into.  Every spot on the strips is in use and I could use more.  I could check to see how expensive it would be to have two dedicated outlets installed, if that would help given my current situation.  My understanding is that the dedicated outlets could be grounded, right?

A new dedicated 20A line will be a nice improvement. Especially if you DIY which is very easy to do.Either way make sure it is just one line that goes direct to one outlet for the system. Use a multiple gang outlet box so you have at least four plugs on the wall. That way you can run your two Furman strips and still have wall outlets to plug a few critical things in direct. 

Yes the new line will be modern standards with ground. Because of this you will want to be sure everything connected to your system is plugged into this one line and nothing else. Otherwise you are very likely to get ground loop hum. If you have an electrician install this do not let him talk you into adding any other outlets or making any connections to this line. One 20A line direct from the panel to your system outlet is all you want.

Thanks for the advice.  I’m going to check with an electrician and see about getting work done (but have to clean up my garage first so he can get in there)

I tried one of their "Ref" power cords. Overall quality looked good, the male end that plugs into outlet was nice and tight but the equipment side was not tight at all. It sagged and felt like it could almost just fall off the amp. It did sound nice on my old class A amp though, didn't hear any difference on my current Mac integrated. 

Someone recommended Laspada power cables.  I found one on
e-bay that is 10 awg and costs $95.  It seems any “decent” cable is deemed to cost a lost more than that.  

Someone recommended Laspada power cables.  I found one on
e-bay that is 10 awg and costs $95.  It seems any “decent” cable is deemed to cost a lost more than that.