The only difference I can think of that an expensive power cable would make would be if it was compared to a cable that is of a smaller gauge wire or has a connector that did not work as well. If the cable has any sort of electronics then it would also make a difference as the electronics could be doing power factor correction and that does make a difference to the amount of current the cable has to carry.
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High priced power cords, koolaid?
- Thread starter David A. Davis
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I've been experimenting with using #5 rebar for speaker and AC cable. My findings, so far:
It's difficult to attach Speakons or IEC connectors to 5/8" diameter steel rods.
Having the proper amount of rust build-up on the rebar improves the conductivity, perceived placement within the stereo field, sweetness in the low mids and upper treble, and erectile function.
Rebar that contains recycled radioactive watse sounds better than rebar containing recycled car parts. Recycled kitchen appliances fall somewhere in the middle.
Reversing the direction of just one of the bars after the electrons have been aligned causes a noticeable difference in low frequency content.
The coating on rebar used for highway construction signicantly reduces line noise in the 60Hz and 120Hz region. This means that the amplifier expends less energy cleaning up the line voltage, allowing more energy to be available at the output.
It's difficult to attach Speakons or IEC connectors to 5/8" diameter steel rods.
Having the proper amount of rust build-up on the rebar improves the conductivity, perceived placement within the stereo field, sweetness in the low mids and upper treble, and erectile function.
Rebar that contains recycled radioactive watse sounds better than rebar containing recycled car parts. Recycled kitchen appliances fall somewhere in the middle.
Reversing the direction of just one of the bars after the electrons have been aligned causes a noticeable difference in low frequency content.
The coating on rebar used for highway construction signicantly reduces line noise in the 60Hz and 120Hz region. This means that the amplifier expends less energy cleaning up the line voltage, allowing more energy to be available at the output.
Usually the people who are too smart to be conned out of their money don't buy the cable
C'mon, Roy. Don't be dissuaded from sharing your opinions here. Especially since your last recording, track 11, was dedicated to the cables. . . Uh oh, my bad. . . That was "The Gables". . . Love that title track, by the way. Amen (corner)!
PS Love the "Simplicity" of your "one-string" bass playing. . .
Roy Vogt
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- Sep 20, 2000
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bongomania
Commercial User
If you're trying to say the cynics just can't afford it, then that's utterly false and a stupid thing to say.
If you're making a funny logic joke, it took me a minute to get it.
- Nov 9, 2009
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I haven't A/B'd them. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a difference, but for me, it probably wouldn't be a $150 difference.
re: High-priced power chords. . . Available at any main-stream national-caliber rock concert near you. . .
There is always voltage drop over the span of any copper wire, but, voltage drop is probably not going to be the concern. The major consideration when choosing the correct gauge wire to use is the amount of amps the device will be pulling. Hence my earlier question of what type of amp was used during this test. I may be wrong, but wouldnt a 300W SVT pull more amps than a GB Shuttle 3.0 (also 300 watts)? If so, wouldnt the gauge/quality of the cable could make a difference.
The gauge of the cable does matter, but power cables tend to be fairly over rated for the application they are used in, in the first place.
Still, this is not surprising. I have a reasonable explanation for you. Just like in the stereo store, it is still voltage drop. You just have to know where to look.
Does a system for a big concert hall draw more current than my son's 15 Watt practice amp? Yes, a lot more. Then why should they use the same power cable?
This is just a generalization, but preamps are regulated, at least with a Zener. However, power amps aren't. They want to put out whatever the line voltage gives them. And what is that line voltage? In the US, is it 115 VAC, or is it 117, or is it 120, or 125? Are we having a brown out?
What does all of that do to your rail voltages?
And that was Paris. Was it 220 or 230. Is 220 really 215 or 240. Measure everything and you will figure it out.
I would bet that your rails changed by a few volts when you changed power cords. Double blind testing isn't necessary, just a volt meter on the rails. And a musician with a trained ear would detect that.
A voltage drop in the cable will affect unregulated rail voltage. End of story. Pick up a Newark catalog for reasonable priced cables.
Would someone please tell me this. If these power cords and cables made such an audible difference (as some here have claimed) or even made any difference, then would it be safe to assume that the manufactures of these product market their products as sound improving technology?
IME there is probably a "small" noticeable difference when you compare the "cheapest" cord with the most expensive cord, for all of the middle it is UNNOTICEABLE, personally if someone made a GD cord that didn't kink up, I'd be happier with that!! (and i have used everything from Mogami, Monster, el cheapo, etc, they ALL freaking kink up.
I'm gonna take some jumper cables, what is that, 6 gauge or something, and run it direct to the main buss bars of my breaker box and connect the other ends to the power cord of my amp.
Wait, has anyone brought up the fact that one's amp has a power cord made just like a regular extension cord? Now I'll have to cut off the amps power cord, because it is now suspected to be just like an extension cord, and connect those jumper cables directly to the power supply transformer.
Or better yet, I'll make permanent soldered/welded connection with 4ga solid wire from the power pole outside directly to my amps transformer, bypassing the amps fuse/fuse holder and switch, as those are junk too.
Wait, has anyone brought up the fact that one's amp has a power cord made just like a regular extension cord? Now I'll have to cut off the amps power cord, because it is now suspected to be just like an extension cord, and connect those jumper cables directly to the power supply transformer.
Or better yet, I'll make permanent soldered/welded connection with 4ga solid wire from the power pole outside directly to my amps transformer, bypassing the amps fuse/fuse holder and switch, as those are junk too.
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