Power cords and soundstage

Isn't the P-4030 the Acrolink power cable?

Newbee, very good post. :) We're not so far off in all this.
Certainly one man's "dramatic difference" may be another's "nominal difference". This is one reason written comparisons can be tricky.

Jylee you need to know two things:

1. As you have seen how one PC can have such an impact that you hear discernible differences in sound, a difference which you are able to judge as to preference, then you should do yourself a favor and continue tuning the rig to taste. Interconnects and speaker cables all contribute.

2. The effects of cables are compounding; the result of one PC is nothing compared to that of an entire suite of cables for PC, IC, and speaker. The only way I was able to authentically learn the benefits of cables, and what each particular type/geometry of cables can do was by getting entire sets and using them in comparison to other sets.
One can do this on a small scale by directly comparing PC to PC, for instance, but to get the full appreciation of the "Power of Cables" one should conduct system-wide cable changes.

[Interjection: you need to know one more thing: Just because you are sane sonically does NOT mean you are sane fiscally! Being a good audiophile will not protect you from poor investment decisions! ;)]

Most audiophiles will not go to such lengths, as it is money and time consuming. For those who are bent on obtaining the ultimate sound, it is the only methodological way to ensure the best match between box components, speakers and cables. When using entire sets of cables one should expect changes in sound perceptually comparable to changing a source, pre or amp.

Finally, once a rig is established with the preferred brand of cables, one can tune, if they wish by the addition/subtraction of one set of ICs, or one power cord, etc. at a time. This is getting to the minutia of cabling and system matching. This is the level I operate at. (Hearing a distinction due to one PC does not mean your rig is near its potential, however it does mean your rig is good enough that it can benefit from cabling changes). I can hear the distinction between one power cord exchanged on either source, pre or amp. With actively crossed systems I also alter the sound via changes of power cord to the processor (There may be very few people who do that, when from my experience it has every bit as dramatic an impact as with other components).

I am an enthusiast, pushing beyond what the normal person would in regards to such things, but I feel it has paid off quite handsomely. Is it necessary to do this in order to have a great rig? No. Is it necessary to do so to achieve the ultimate rig with your current components? Yes. That is my experience, and my position regarding cables.

09-19-08: Tvad

09-19-08: Palerider
Tvad

I really don't understand how the difference in PC's ability to deliver current would affect phase issues created by electronics or component set up.
I did not say the power cord change was causing a phase shift. What I wrote was that the change in sound I have heard in the past as a result of changing a power cord was similar to the sound of a phase shift. "

Yeah, and if you read my answer carefully you might get my reply to that. AC current phase-unbalance between components ruins 3D

09-19-08: Rodman99999
A properly designed power cord(ie: Teflon dielectric, counter-rotating geometry, etc) will reduce or eliminate intra-conductor interactions that add noise and distortion to audio signals. The right geometry will cancel unwanted magnetic interaction. The same technology is used in many interconnects, but is even more important in a PC, given the much higher currents and stronger fields dealt with there. Most high-end cords will have an EMI/RFI trap built in also. The bottom line is the same as the benefit of a good power conditioner: cleaner, quieter power to your system, which lets you here more of the info on your source material(more apparent detail/better focus/greater ambiance retrieval).
Rodman99999 (Answers)

At least this is what mumbo cable"designers" wants us to belive, but it`s far from the truth. Any PC will reduce the powersupply`s dynamic capacity as long as it`s multicore/stranded, even if real thick PC`s helps a bit. And a good PC is of course totally shielded.

Yes..4030 is Accrolink. The Tunami cord in comparison is a bit quieter I am told, however, it doesn't provide the depth, air, and clarity of the Accrolink. Chris ( I think it was he) told me that's because of the heavy shielding on the Tunami. As far as being quiet...my system is DEAD quiet..even with the volume up.