Why do I need power management if I have a great power cord?


Isn't it kind of unnecessary to additionally add a power conditioner if I have an expensive audio file grade Power cord connected to a component?

So you buy a Power conditioner from a hi-fi store and they say oh, you need a really good power cord to go with that and then another one to go from conditioner to the component. Do you need it all and why? Seems the last couple of feet before the component should be more than enough.

jumia

I just went from one to two subs and my wonderful monitor speakers along with an integrated upgrade. Just a couple of days a gi I realize I’m not getting any change in bass response and while my monitors sound great my home concert hall was lacking. Sure enough both sub fuses blew, yes power surge( Florida go figure) I had upgraded my wall outlets and power cord but simply forget to plug into my McIntosh power conditioner.  My one piece of Mc gear left. Simply over looked and now back to glorious sound. Yes that was an expensive piece but it will stay put

How much did the fuses cost?
Are ythe subs working with the new fuses installed?

To Holmz: Thank you for the clarification regarding ‘what he did there.’ I lost sight of the fact that the amp’s input signal is used to modulate the power supply being output to the speakers via tube or transistor.

After digesting the Audio Science Review vs. PS Audio ‘debate,’ I’m no longer considering the purchase of a power conditioner for the purpose of cleaning up my sound, but I am going to look into a decent, audio-grade power strip to protect my equipment, as recommended by Amir at ASR and by a link posted earlier in this thread.

To the original poster: My take-away from the discussion thus far is that you don’t need a power conditioner, but you do need to be confident that your equipment is getting the power it needs. A dedicated line from the fuse box would be best, but short of that, try to keep computers, WI-FI routers, dish-washers, air conditioners, washing machines and the like off line if they are on the same circuit. (Hopefully, they aren’t.) You probably need to invest in a ‘better’ quality surge protector. The jury is out for me regarding the use of isolating transformers, unless you are experiencing issues with ground hums (and I hope you’re not).

I’m not convinced of the need for 240 volt service, personally, but I might consider it as an alternative to pulling 10 AWG solid conductor wire. I would think that 12 AWG would be plenty at that voltage. 

For me, I have tried different interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, power conditioners. Each has sounded different, for better or worse. So anyone who doesn't hear any change either has a low fidelity system, or insensitive ears. 

 

But late last year, I purchased a stand alone surge protector from Zero Surge, a company that makes OEM for other manufacturers. I discovered that running my integrated amp through it reduced the dynamics. I called ZS and spoke to a guy named Jim (if I got the name correctly). I told him what I heard, including that I had done an A/B/A listening test. 

 

He told me he has a degree in physics and that what I heard was impossible. "It's just wire", he said.  I told him that there was no mistake in the difference between plugging into the ZS and plugging into the wall. I responded that if what he knew didn't explain the sound difference, then there's something he is not aware of in the product's design.

For me, I have tried different interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, power conditioners. Each has sounded different, for better or worse. So anyone who doesn’t hear any change either has a low fidelity system, or insensitive ears.

We can have opinions about interconnects and speaker cables.
However…
It is exactly opposite wth power cords and power conditioners.

The higher fidelity systems usually have the better power supplies in them and are more immune to what power is coming in. That is part of what makes them higher fidelity, but it also is a sign that they are not cutting corners in one area, and likely also not cutting corners in others.

I would believe that on some lesser quality systems, that these snake oil things might work, but they should work less (If even at all) on systems that are designed right.

We can paint the Camry red, but it only identifies as a Ferrari, it doesn’t actually become one… much the same as a fancy cord does not fix an inadequate power supply design.