The Truth About Power Cords and there "Real" Price to Performance


This is a journey through real life experiences from you to everyone that cares to educate themselves. I must admit that I was not a believer in power cords and how they affect sound in your system. I from the camp that believed that the speaker provided 75% of the sound signature then your source then components but never the power cord. Until that magic day I along with another highly acclaimed AudioGoner who I will keep anatomist ran through a few cables in quite a few different systems and was "WOWED" at what I heard. That being said cable I know that I am not the only believer and that is why there are so many power cord/cable companies out there that range from $50 to 20-30 thousand dollars and above. So I like most of you have to scratch my head and ask where do I begin what brand and product and what should i really pay for it?

The purpose of this discussion to get some honest feed back on Price to Performance from you the end user to us here in the community.

Please fire away!


 


128x128blumartini
If you're brave enough to try one of these, they DO offer improvement for a bargain .
https://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/powercord_prev.php

I used one one for years without  worry. It looks like a disaster ready to happen, but if you have a child/pet free environment, it works. Naturally YMMV.

Reality, if there were problems with this cord, I would think Pierre would have taken it off the site years ago.

The clear,candy wrapper insulation was getting beat up, and the scotch tape repairs became too much.

Speaking with a Mapleshade guy years ago, he said Pierre prefers them WITHOUT the insulation! Now that's freakin manly!!
Disclaimer:. Not affiliated with... or compensated by manufacturer... but the following gives a basic explanation how cables can affect sound.

FWIW...

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/whatwiredoes.htm

Now... as another example, (on a smaller scale), let’s look at phono cartridge tweaking. Most phono preamps have/allow for changing capacitors and resistors... either manually or by knobs/switches...
that affect the frequency response of the cartridge.

Using the same basic understanding and principals... some companies may use different gauges of wire... different dialectric insulators... different metals... and different sheilding, to manipulate electrons of a power cord, (or interconnect or speaker cable), to a sound that they prefer.

Some individuals will prefer this "house sound" , while others won’t... and even others won’t hear a difference due to ear shape, or ear damage.

While I have no foundational argument for what I am about to say... I might even suggest that using the above mentioned methods might even cause a phase shift... with the end result requiring a speaker placement change.

And no... I’m not smoking or drinking anything. Just a theory based on subtle changes and experimentation with my setup.
"@turnbowm - which Bryston do you have?
- I have the B135 integrated - great value and quality....

....And for components of the quality level of Bryston and LTA, one would need the very best power cables to achieve discernible improvements and that equates to $$$"

In answer to your question, I have the Bryston B60R which I have enjoyed for 19 years. I have tried various audiophile power cables in the past but the B60R doesn't seem to care one way or the other. Perhaps the robustness of the power supplies in Bryston amps explains their indifference. 
@dynaquest4 

"I have an OPPO-105 and I use the stork cord. I have never, not even once, thought it put out audio that was unlistenable."


Hook a 15 amp Shunyata Venom to it and wait a couple days.

Not saying the Venom is a bad cord... just that the Oppo won't like it.