Only $2,000 to improve your amp's performance

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I don't think they are worth that, but it's just senseless to buy a $3,500 amp with superb wiring and components only to plug it to the wall with a $6 IEC cable.

Why not? A perfectly good IEC cable, that does everything that a power cord needs to do, can easily cost only $6.

 

[B-string]

An important part of any blind test would be to start with a good gauge standard cable. Not a thin gauge cord that came with a low consumption device or a mistaken thin cord shipped in error?

 

[seamonkey]

Eloquent, Sir. +1

++1

And it's not just cables. It's a problem with a lot of this gear. Manufacturers rarely have to prove any of their claims. The consumers of this gear just don't demand it. Some manufacturers spend much more $$$ on confusing the consumer than educating them.

 

[Limeman]

Richard, Bob, etc... thanks for continuing to have reasonable and educated/informative discussion about this topic. I appreciate it very much! But for my edification, are you telling me that "any" power cable, no matter the design or gauge, will have the same impact to the sound of live gear? Running a cheap 20 gauge power cable into a monster amp, such as an Aguilar DB750 (which is known to have HUGE power delivery, current draw and punch) will sound the same with a larger gauge power cable? Won't the smaller cable "choke" the ability of the amp to draw enough power to sound its best? Isn't that part of the possibility that the ESP power cord "sounds" better than a standard power cord?

I have a good friend who runs a pro studio here in NoCal. He is a beta tester for DigiDesign and they consistently come to him and the studio for evaluation purposes for ProTools upgrades, plug-ins, etc. I am going to talk to him about the two of us nabbing one of the MusicCord pro power cables and running a series of tests to see what, if anything, the cord imparts to the sound of both a bass rig as well as the powered monitors used at the board for tracking and mixing. If we are able do some testing and come up with compelling results, I'll try to post online for all to hear.

I'll keep everyone updated...

 

[fdeck]

Richard, Bob, etc... thanks for continuing to have reasonable and educated/informative discussion about this topic. I appreciate it very much! But for my edification, are you telling me that "any" power cable, no matter the design or gauge, will have the same impact to the sound of live gear? Running a cheap 20 gauge power cable into a monster amp, such as an Aguilar DB750 (which is known to have HUGE power delivery, current draw and punch) will sound the same with a larger gauge power cable? Won't the smaller cable "choke" the ability of the amp to draw enough power to sound its best? Isn't that part of the possibility that the ESP power cord "sounds" better than a standard power cord?

The power cable will have a voltage drop proportional to its resistance and the amount of current flowing through it. This might reduce the peak output amplitude.

I would use the cable recommended by the manufacturer.

 

[fdeck]

I don't think they are worth that, but it's just senseless to buy a $3,500 amp with superb wiring and components only to plug it to the wall with a $6 IEC cable. IMHO.... again IMHO these cables do make a LITTLE difference. They are just not worth hundreds of dollars. The people making them know a lot of people will buy them (audiophiles, mastering studios and the sort) and they sell for a ridiculous price.

As a side note: Anyone has a link for the crystals that you place on top of speakers that make them sound better? I really need those....

I've seen gadgets costing a quarter million dollars go out with a generic IEC cable.

 

[seamonkey]

If we are able to post the results, I'll do so for all to hear.

I'll keep you posted...

You would be able to record the difference. Sound equipment would be much more sensitive and lend itself to analysis and measurement. Try the 'null' test mentioned above as a start.

Protools - does null testing of their plugins. Go to their web site and check it out.

Of course, if there is a cable difference, it might be just a little tweak of a knob to make them equal. Try tweaking the knobs if you find a difference to let us know how big a difference it is. And if the costlier cable isn't actually degrading the sound. People might mistake a change as being better, when it's a change for the worst.

 

[fdeck]

You would be able to record the difference. Sound equipment would be much more sensitive and lend itself to analysis and measurement. Try the 'null' test mentioned above as a start.

Protools - does null testing of their plugins. Go to their web site and check it out.

Of course, if there is a cable difference, it might be just a little tweak of a knob to make them equal. Try tweaking the knobs if you find a difference to let us know how big a difference it is. And if the costlier cable isn't actually degrading the sound. People might mistake a change as being better, when it's a change for the worst.

For that matter, ask Protools to provide a plug-in that mimics the exotic cable.

I got a free sample of a DSP audio chip set. Maybe I will invent a cable emulator.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

The power cord has to be adequate for the job. A 20-gauge cord wouldn't be suitable for a high-power amp and probably wouldn't even be safety agency accepted for use with a clock radio.

The cord's "design" is unimportant as long as it is wired correctly, conducts current well (has low resistance), has good insulation, and is durable.

A power cord with undersized conductors or other deficiencies that result in excessive resistance don't so much "choke" the amp but, aside from being unsafe, can cause a voltage drop when current demand is high. The result would be that the amp clips at a somewhat lower peak voltage, maybe a few percent lower than it otherwise should. A well-designed amp won't go to pieces because of a slightly lower AC voltage, but if the cord is both undersized and unusually long, the voltage dips could be more severe.

It takes nothing special to make a good power cord. Two-meter 14 AWG cords with molded NEMA-15 and IEC connectors are fine for any power amp meant to run on a 15A outlet. There's really nothing more than that necessary. And they're mass produced, too, so they don't cost much. In fact, we had such an excess here at QSC in the Tech Services Group that last year we set out a box full of a couple hundred IEC cables in our lobby. Need one? Take one, free. Take two if you want.

I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the ESP cables; they just do what any other good cable will do at a fraction of the cost.

 

[fdeck]

In fact, we had such an excess here at QSC in the Tech Services Group that last year we set out a box full of a couple hundred IEC cables in our lobby. Need one? Take one, free. Take two if you want.

They breed on the floor behind computer workstations.

 

[fdeck]

Just a side note about cables: I bought a couple of 14-foot IEC cables. So far, for virtually all of my gigs, I have not needed an extension cord. I think that a longer power cable should be standard issue, especially with the new micro heads.

 

[B-string]

They breed on the floor behind computer workstations.

That's why they call it a "Rat's nest"?

 

[Lukejt]

Listen up guys, these cables are NO GOOD unless used in conjunction with my special gold plated high frequency purple wire nuts! Act fast, they're sure to sell out at my one time low low bargain basement offer of only $24.99 each. Buy 12 and I'll make it a bakers dozen. First 1000 customers will receive a free stocking cap. Instructions included (for the stocking cap). I also recomend using only Luke's finest titanium grounding screws. Supplies are limited. Be sure and check out my platinum duplex outlets, sure to impress the ladies with it's amazing DEEP BASS and SIZZLING HIGHS. You will FEEL the SOUND!

 

[DrSmaggs]

uh... WHAT?

 

[B-string]

uh... WHAT?

Oh come on now, that's funny!

 

[Steveaux]

Listen up guys, these cables are NO GOOD unless used in conjunction with my special gold plated high frequency purple wire nuts! Act fast, they're sure to sell out at my one time low low bargain basement offer of only $24.99 each. Buy 12 and I'll make it a bakers dozen. First 1000 customers will receive a free stocking cap. Instructions included (for the stocking cap). I also recomend using only Luke's finest titanium grounding screws. Supplies are limited. Be sure and check out my platinum duplex outlets, sure to impress the ladies with it's amazing DEEP BASS and SIZZLING HIGHS. You will FEEL the SOUND!

 

[Limeman]

... The cord's "design" is unimportant as long as it is wired correctly, conducts current well (has low resistance), has good insulation, and is durable.

Thanks Bob. Ok. Got that. Now what if the power coming into the A/C outlet is full of junk - a poorly wired club with "dirty power"? Does a power conditioner help in any way to improve or provide consistency of sound in such a scenario, or do they just provide protection against spikes and such?

 

[Queg]

Skimmed the thread... why are the techie folks so stubbornly absolutist? I understand and agree that there's wacky pseudoscience and snake oil out there in audiophile lala land. But this claim that all power cords will sound alike is simply ludicrous. For example, there's no way a power cord can be designed to also perform as a noise filter?

And this from the Skeptic article:
" Vinyl records and vacuum tube equipment are very popular with devoted audiophiles who believe these old school technologies more faithfully reproduce subtle nuance. There’s no question that LPs and tubes sound different from CDs and solid state gear. But are they better? Not in any way you could possibly measure. Common to both is much higher distortion; LPs in particular have more inherent noise and a poorer high frequency response, especially when playing the inner grooves. I’m convinced that some people prefer tubes and vinyl because the subtle distortion they add sounds pleasing to them. "

Lol, NO.
They prefer tubes and vinyl because the distortions in digital and (some) solid state playback are far MORE displeasing to them then the distortions in vinyl/tube. Why? because the distortion in vinyl/tubes is more musical to their ears. When you're dealing with something where emotional response is the ultimate value, science must take a step to the side.

 

[majortoby]

I got a real hospital cable for free once. Didn't sound different, but about as breakable as an M1A1 Abrams

 

[majortoby]

why are the techie folks so stubbornly absolutist?

Because the science is.