Differences between various power cords?

[Tangent]

Congrats!!!! Love to hear it and compare it to mine!

I have a buddy who is so advanced at this stuff that he prefers one power cord for his amp, another for his CD player (he has nice equipment but not hugely expensive stuff... well I guess that depends on what your frame of reference is, I guess.)

Hmmm.... well how about this? Retail about $8,000.00, actually paid much, much less over the years buying used, etc. To me, that's not hugely expensive as I've listened to systems (at stereo stores) with speakers costing tens of thousands.

And if one is persistent and willing to shell out up to - maybe $1,000.00 a component - or much less if you can do repairs - one can end up with an awesome system.

Anyway..... please report back!

 

[Mr. Lin]

I will definitely let you all know what happens. I'm glad to see not only that the seller packed up and sent my cable today, but also that it's in NJ!!! Should be here tomorrow or Friday.

See, although I can't afford components in the thousands of dollars (I'm talking about cables here mostly), and buying this power cord a couple hundred less than retail was a stretch, I have no issue with people spending thousands of dollars on cables. I totally understand it. Whether or not all the really expensive ones are worth it is highly questionable, but like I say about cables: you should have a solid set in your system, by no means is it necessary to break the bank - then, if you have the $ and really want to do some fine-tuning, that's when it's time to look into the higher-end cables.

BTW Gary, as I integrate more and more components into my setup that can be used with "performance" power cords I will slowly have one for each component. Not necessarily at the level of the Cardas, but quality. For example, hopefully some time this century I'll get to my Bottlehead mono blocks and preamp - those have 15 amp IEC plugs, right (Erik I'm looking at you)?

 

[Bigerik]

For example, hopefully some time this century I'll get to my Bottlehead mono blocks and preamp - those have 15 amp IEC plugs, right (Erik I'm looking at you)?

Yes sir! They sure do. :yes:

 

[Mr. Lin]

Yes sir! They sure do. :yes:

Nice! I foresee something pretty amazing once I get that whole thing set up.

 

[Bigerik]

Nice! I foresee something pretty amazing once I get that whole thing set up.

Better cables are certainly a good thing there. I accidentally had one of the power cords rest against a pre-amp tube and it made a hell of a noise. Even close to the tube it was picking up a lot of noise...

 

[Tangent]

BTW Gary, as I integrate more and more components into my setup that can be used with "performance" power cords I will slowly have one for each component.

When you eventually get a power cord for every component, don't forget what my friend did. He started switching them around and I believe he settled on leaving his Black Sand for one component, a PS Audio for another, etc.

So it might make a difference to you on your system. Or it may not. :scratch2:

Me? I have the same brand of power cables for everything. It never occured to me that one brand may be better than another for a specific component. Besides, who has the money to buy and sell all those expensive cords? I don't!

On the other hand, I remember a Sterephile article where they said that it was better to have one brand of interconnect through out your system. Or power cord or speaker wire/interconnect brand. So I'm not worrying about it. And neither should you, IMHO.

The sound in my system is great right now, with what I've got and I have no desire to play around with any more.... so I'm done. Like dinner.

 

[Mr. Lin]

When you eventually get a power cord for every component, don't forget what my friend did. He started switching them around and I believe he settled on leaving his Black Sand for one component, a PS Audio for another, etc.

So it might make a difference to you on your system. Or it may not. :scratch2:

Me? I have the same brand of power cables for everything. It never occured to me that one brand may be better than another for a specific component. Besides, who has the money to buy and sell all those expensive cords? I don't!

On the other hand, I remember a Sterephile article where they said that it was better to have one brand of interconnect through out your system. Or power cord or speaker wire/interconnect brand. So I'm not worrying about it. And neither should you, IMHO.

The sound in my system is great right now, with what I've got and I have no desire to play around with any more.... so I'm done. Like dinner.

I'm just getting started, unfortunately for my bank account So what's your brand?

 

[Glen B]

We just got a couple of the new Basis power cords in with the Furutech ends....I gotta say they seem to fit in the IEC connector more snugly, with less slop, than the Marinco/Wattagate ends, and the NEMA 15 plug really looks nice...the fit and finish on the Furutechs are very nice and "polished" looking...i.e., they look like a higher end plug...

Agree on the Furutechs. Up until a week ago, all of my reference cables and connectors for the past few years were Acoustic Zen with power cords retrofitted with Furutech connectors. Stock IEC power inlets on my amp and preamp have been replaced with Furutechs and I use their silver duplex AC receptacles as well.

I recently decided to try some Oyaide C-004 and P-004 IEC and male power plugs which are made of beryllium copper, plated with platinum and palladium versus the Furutechs' phosphor bronze with gold plating. These connectors were cryogenically treated by VH Audio. I found the Oyaide's to be an all around step up in performance from the Furutechs.

The Acoustic Zen cables were the first I found after trying TOTL cables from companies like Audioquest and Cardas that really made a noticeable difference in reducing levels of system grain. I found that CDs in my collection I found barely tolerable and causing "listening fatigue" to become more listenable. I believe the OCC copper and silver used in the AZ cables to play a part in their performance.

I've also tried DH Labs Power Plus AC cable ($6.50 per foot) coupled with Furutech connectors in a DIY power cord. This is a pretty good combination that in my system compares quite well with the Acoustic Zen at a fraction of the price.

 

[cfranz]

I save myself time and money. I run 10 gage solid from my amp direct back to the circuit box. Less expensive then boutique offerings, probably works better too.

 

[Glen B]

I'm curious. How is that 10 Gauge connected to the amp ? How is the wire passed through the wall ? Code requires a disconnect means at the equipment; a detachable cord and plug meets those requirements. Permanent attachment of wires does not.

 

[Mr. Lin]

Got the Cardas Golden pc today. I'm listening to my system as-is right now for a bit, and soon I'm going to switch over to the Cardas and see what happens.

 

[Tangent]

So what's your brand?

PS Audio Statement. Got 'em after they were discontinued because a "new" statement was being released. So they're NOS (new old stock.)

Have you switched to the Cardas yet?

I knew of two pairs of.... Neutral Reference interconnects but they wanted $600.00 each. So I passed without listening to them. Why tempt myself?

 

[Mr. Lin]

PS Audio Statement. Got 'em after they were discontinued because a "new" statement was being released. So they're NOS (new old stock.)

Have you switched to the Cardas yet?

I knew of two pairs of.... Neutral Reference interconnects but they wanted $600.00 each. So I passed without listening to them. Why tempt myself?

Gary look at my two posts before yours.

I know it needs time to burn in and everything, and I don't want to sound over-enthusiastic or jump the gun having only listened to a few lps, but for now I'll just say yes, there is a difference, and yes, it is very good.

 

[Bigerik]

Gary look at my two posts before yours.

I know it needs time to burn in and everything, and I don't want to sound over-enthusiastic or jump the gun having only listened to a few lps, but for now I'll just say yes, there is a difference, and yes, it is very good.

So???
You've had 12 hours to listen!
Tell us more!

 

[Urizen]

I knew of two pairs of.... Neutral Reference interconnects but they wanted $600.00 each.

I won't tell ya about the pair I picked up, here on AK, for a Benjamin.

Interesting thread. I've gotta couple of cheaper PS Audio power cables. To my ears the sound improvement is less dramatic than with upgrading ICs or speaker cabling. I've yet to use anything esoteric, so my mind is open.

 

[Mr. Lin]

So???
You've had 12 hours to listen!
Tell us more!

Hey I've been at work all day, and now my girlfriend is watching TV so it's headphone amp only tonight. Give me a bit more time.

Urizen that's interesting because I always hear people say they get the biggest difference with power cords, followed by interconnects, and very little with speaker cable. I'm not saying that's necessarily true; all I know is that some of the interconnects I've purchased made a huge difference. I have the Kimber 4tc speaker wire, but it's all I ever used with this system so I just assume it's good. Some time down the road I'll probably try a different speaker cable, but it's low on the list of priorities right now - it's a long and expensive list!

 

[F1nut]

I'm just trying to find out if the improvements better power cords make are always the same.

Not in my experience. Some cords work better with some gear, others work better with other gear. It boils down to the synergy thing. You'll know it when you hear it. I found the PS Audio Statements (non SC) worked best for me. YMMV.

 

[Mr. Lin]

Well, I've only had about 3 or 4 hours listening time with vinyl now that I have the new Cardas power cord. This is what I've noticed:

First of all, right away things just sounded better. It was a while before I could put my finger on what exactly that meant, but I knew there was a difference. At this point it's safe to say there's more bass (ie. the bass is more powerful), but it's also very well-controlled. In fact, the general sound of my system strikes me as "bigger" now, more open and clearer, like it's breathing better. Highs are cleaner and - this one really surprised me - dynamics improved noticeably. Wasn't expecting that.

So I realize a lot of people would dismiss this as hearing something simply because I was anticipating hearing something, but like I said, I listened to a record I'm familiar with first with the Zebra pc, then listened again with the Cardas, so it was pretty obvious what sounded different.

Conclusion: Yet another successful upgrade! This evening I sat back and listened to some jazz and classical, and there was a big smile on my face. Things are sounding very good.

 

[Tangent]

That sounds like my story with my PS Audio stuff.

Happy listening!

 

[Mr. Lin]

That sounds like my story with my PS Audio stuff.

Happy listening!

Thanks Gary. Listening right now at fairly loud volume to records I'm very familiar with I noticed everything now sounds more balanced, ie. the highs don't begin to overpower the bass with certain songs at loud volume. Whatever the case, man does it sound great!