Mains cables...
- Thread starter Bigmoonface
- Start date
When I was at a joint US Canadian command most of them put gravy on their fries. Growing up in Ohio vinegar was always available to put on your fries but I guess Ontario is probably northern Ohio anyway
DaveVoorhis
Addicted Member
Absolutely.
But not just engineering -- psychophysics, too. Any time we're dealing with a perceptual change that can't otherwise be verified with objective instruments, we have to consider the effects of expectation, emotion, and cognition. They must be considered, because they have a very significant effect on sensory perception and can account for perceptions -- possibly strong perceptions -- that have no physical basis.
David_NC
Super Member
I know there's a difference between a $.20 cable and a $20 cable. How much difference is there between a $20 cable and a $100, $200, $900 cable? I'm not saying there's not a difference, what is the difference, can the improvement be replicated in blind testing, can the improvement be measured? That last one gets tricky. As an example, I've heard several cheaper speakers that should sound worse than some more expensive ones, but they actually sound better... to me. Thinking back to some I listened to a house party a while back. There was something lacking. Even in my less than ideal listening situation, my 33 year old ADS speakers sound better to me. I'm sure the specs are pretty close between the two. There's an airiness to the ADS's that other speakers lacked. I'll put it down to the dome tweeters and mid-ranges in the ADS. I'm not sure that such preference can be proven by testing, but the L300's on my desk have the same airiness, as do the L520's I picked up used from the Goodwill. What can be proven is that there's a similarity between the three models of speakers from a particular manufacturer... drivers, crossover design, etc.I would never spend the money on any but working with those kind of things every day understand why they would work .
I'd like to be convinced that a power cable can make such an improvement, and I'd like to know WHY. Such an improvement could outlast other components and be cheaper than replacing them. Why is all I ever generally ever ask, regarding topics like this, and I don't really get answers past a certain point (wire purity, connector quality, conductor gauge, sometimes ferrites or capacitors, shielding, twists in wires, etc). I guess the easiest way to ask is what makes a particular power cable better than another, other then things I mentioned above. I'm curious.
You're welcome to ridicule what lies beyond your experience if that makes you feel better.
Mister Pig
Pigamus Maximus
You're welcome to ridicule what lies beyond your experience if that makes you feel better.
I was going to add we can’t understand for you
mgosdin
Super Member
This is true, we have a variety of testing tools & techniques that can be applied to answer the question "Why?" However, in the case of Audio, one of the primary tools for analysis is our ears and the ( semi-functional ) brain that they are attached to.
At the end of the day we can usually find out what changes in implementation / engineering may have occurred.
When someone says, "It sounds much better to me." that is really what we are all looking for, right?
Mark Gosdin
^^^ this is why I am glad I quit chasing numbers early on in this hobby, good for a guide but not much else
David_NC
Super Member
I'm assuming your smiley face means you're joking as much as I was. However, ridiculing anybody or anything doesn't make me feel better. No smiley face needed here, as that wasn't joking!You're welcome to ridicule what lies beyond your experience if that makes you feel better.
DaveVoorhis
Addicted Member
Absolutely.
But there's a big difference between "Does it sound better to you?" and "Does it make a difference in acoustics?"
The former is about subjective perception. The latter is about objective physics.
The two are sometimes unrelated. The arguments start when that isn't understood.
David_NC
Super Member
I guess I should have said that how, along with why, is what I want to know. Honest answers, like greater transparency, deeper bass, the airiness I like so much, etc are all comprehensible answers. I'd never say airy sounding speakers are the best, as others may not like them. I can describe what I like about something, how and why it sounds better to me... anything other than 'it just does'.
I've had friends that only noticed things about songs or systems after I pointed them out. Afterwards, they are telling me how they noticed the same or similar in other songs and systems. This is the sort of thing I want to experience. Also, do the same preferences show up in blind testing? If so, I'm on the way to understanding, which is why I ask in the first place.
Why not try different cables yourself and if you hear a difference and like what you hear then your good , if you don’t hear a difference after you have experimented with different cables then you have answered your question and if you don’t like what you hear then maybe you’ll save some dollars . If your curious don’t rely on the internet to satisfy your curiosity go out explore and experiment to come to your own conclusions, then post your opinions.
Audiofreak71
David_NC
Super Member
Where does one start? What brands, price ranges, are reasonably price higher end cables? We often point out good, enthusiast amps, speakers, and turntables to those who want improvement, so this should be no different.
Unfortunately, none of my equipment on hand, other than a Denon AVR used for HT, has removable power cables. Most of my 'stuff' is across the country. Most of that still doesn't have removable cables. In fact, I can think of only four total - that Denon receiver, an older Yamaha receiver that I'm not currently using, a Pioneer Elite AVR, and an Otari reel to reel (the last two are across the country from me).
I do use older, 'Made in USA' power strips for my audio system. These have metal enclosures and heavy duty outlets and cords, compared to current plastic ones; I've had several of those melt and have outlets that don't work due to poor quality and design. There also has to be a 'price of admission' before any of this matters, in terms of equipment. At what level does this make an improvement? The power cord on that Denon is a really heavy one from an old server. It's actually got a foil shield. I'm not sure that anything better will be noticeable on that receiver.
You start with how much you can afford , you want a recommendation? Try Wireworld cables , they go from affordable to expensive but imo all are made very good , will you hear a difference? Only you can answer that . Another recommendation is Maze Audio , there power strip is really good imo and not to expensive, will you hear a difference with Maze Audio? Only you can answer that but I will tell you that the power strip doesn’t limit current and offers surge protection so it’s got that going for it .
Audiofreak71
I think the wire coat hangers are a bit better (solid core)Just wrap chicken wire around your fixed cords and then wrap one end around the ground prong on the plug
Audiofreak71
I think the wire coat hangers are a bit better (solid core)
Audiofreak71
I have about 300 shields to build over the next 2 weeks
. Solder sleeves, wire and lugs
Ouch not fun but hey your putting in positive work to improve a piece of equipment somewhere, doing your part brother .I have about 300 shields to build over the next 2 weeks
Audiofreak71