Someone Explain The Need for High-Priced Power Cords

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...or like buying 12 guage speaker wire, when the wire inside the speaker connected to the driver is only 16 guage.

Yeah, but doesn't the length of the run have a lot to do with speaker wire gauge? The longer the run, the lower the gauge, right?

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...oy vay.


It was an analogy like yours: "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link"


...you can't improve 16 guage wire with 12 guage wire.

Yes, I understand that, and agree for shorter lengths (and appreciated the analogy ), but aren't lower gauge speaker wire recommended for longer runs?

[jibucha]

Hello

Nice to read your thoughts.

Simply, I wish that you were in my area. Were you, I would conveniently arrange to bring you a high quality power cord, to evaluate in your system, which is less than ten foot long; and let you decide for youself whether there is a difference and value, or not. Not very difficult, and I have no idea what you might decide, however, I would expect a favorable experience.

I completely understand your perspective and have extensively studied the entire power system from the line transformer to the house and within. The logic is simple, and easily comprehensible; but there is more.

I want to be clear here, that I am not implying that pricey or hype cables are significant; only that properly engineered and manufactured power cables factually improve both the picture quality and sound quality, although just a short length of the entire power system in the household.

Proving this is simple and obvious to anyone in my experience; that is neither biased or trying to prove a point.

Additionally, it is not my intent to argue this issue, which is entirely mental; only to provide helpful information. I have no interest in either arguing or debating these issues. What I prefer, is to demonstrate to anyone with a sincere interest, that objectively, there is a reliable difference that in my experience is appreciated and valued once experienced.

Thank You

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

No offense, but your post does not address my question. You state that you can prove your system will improve with better cables. How? I'm talking about plugging a standard power cable into a standard wall outlet. I've yet to hear convincing arguments that in this situation, a 'high-quality' power cable will do you any good. It's no different than connecting a 200lb rated chain to a long length of 50lb rated chain. The 200lb rated chain doesn't magically make the rest of the chain stronger, does it?

Now, if you have a dedicated circuit with upgraded wiring, power conditioners, etc..., I can see there may be an advantage to using a higher quality power cord. Simply saying "I can prove the advantage in a lab" does not mean it is applicable in a real-world application.

By the way, I'm not considering any type of power cord upgrade. To me, this is as big of a money waster as buying "certain" HDMI cables. I've just been curious to know why some do, and what the science is behind it in the real world. From the other posts, I believe I have a better understanding...somewhat.

[js666]

Something to consider.
Your system is only as good as your weakest link. Replacing ONLY one PC may not be worth the time. Notice I said "may". Everything works together. You'd have to replace all and then decide.

I can never understand the people who say they've tried an after market PC on ONE of their components, yet have some cheap $3 surge protector/extension cord down the line. There are a few of those.

I can have $10,000 speakers and amps but if I use a POS PS3 as a CD player, well.... you get the point!

And no....I'm not promoting anything.

[Kirsty_Mc]

Answer:

The world contains a good proportion of people who in all fairness could be described as mugs (or Schmucks, whatever).

The world also contains a number of people only too willing to relieve these mugs of their money.

QED: these gold plated power cords that look nice, but that's about it.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by jibucha

I have no interest in either arguing or debating these issues.

Not much point in posting then.

What I prefer, is to demonstrate to anyone with a sincere interest, that objectively, there is a reliable difference that in my experience is appreciated and valued once experienced.

Which you haven't done. Where are you test results, environment, sources, etc., etc., etc.
A lot of words with zero substance is all I'm reading.

[BLURAYSONYES]

Its all in the head where folks think theyre getting something useful. Youre absolutely right about this. Same with speakers....why pay hundreds of dollars for thicker better speaker wire if inside the speaker box are ordinary crappy wires. I have pointed out about this in the past on here and every time I say something like this everyone attacks me for it. Its all true what I have to say here lol!

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by BLURAYSONYES

Its all in the head where folks think theyre getting something useful. Youre absolutely right about this. Same with speakers....why pay hundreds of dollars for thicker better speaker wire if inside the speaker box are ordinary crappy wires. I have pointed out about this in the past on here and every time I say something like this everyone attacks me for it. Its all true what I have to say here lol!

However, your example of the wire inside the speaker cabinet doesn't jibe. Long runs can benefit from thicker guage speaker wire. The 6" or less run isn't going to be affect by that as long as the connections are well made.

[Beta Man]

There are people who claim they can't tell the difference between DVD and Blu-ray....... Maybe they can, maybe they can't...... the important part is, THIS IS A HOBBY. If someone is serious about the hobby, they strive for the best.... just because it's not something you see as a beneficial, doesn't mean it's not......

I personally don't have, or really have the inclination to purchase new power cables...... with that said, I'll say this.

Many people are quick to praise the huge improvements of power conditioners/line filters. I have one... it cost me a couple hundred bucks from Belkin..... either way... I CAN'T SEE OR HEAR A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE........ But many people swear they can.... but either way I got it for peace of mind.

Now.... it seems the same people who claim the power is now cleaner coming from the wall, state there is no difference in the power cable from the Power-conditioner, to the Component.......

Seems hypocritical to me

Again, I don't claim to be able to tell a difference, but I don't deny the possibility that it in fact can make a difference.

[axe79]

I have read through this thread with absolute amazement.

Now I appreciate that this is mainly a USA based site, and perhaps being the vast country it is and the difference Mains supply that you have (to the UK), you suffer less from a polluted supply.

But over here in the UK the Mains is at 230v on the live rail only, and is not balanced with a volt feed off the neutral rail, (which is supposed to be at zero) but usually carries mains born contamination of up to 2 volts!
In addition to that RFI contamination occurs on the house ring circuits off Fridges, lights, cookers, kettles, hair driers, etc.

Mains conditioning and good quality leads make a big improvement to the detail, depth and musicality of the music and TV picture and all serious HiFi music lovers do spend a small proportion in buying decent cables to get the best out of there system.

Addressing these issues is one of the cheapest up grades that we Brits can make and leading cable manufactures do a up to a 60 day money back trial on there products.
They have also been independantly tested by leading Hi Fi mags and awarded very high ratings.

Keep an open mind and let your ears decide is the best advise I would say. If you don't hear any difference think yourself very fortunate as you probably have a excellent supply, or are hard of hearing and don't know it!
;-)

[SRTCraig]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...or like buying 12 guage speaker wire, when the wire inside the speaker connected to the driver is only 16 guage.

Unless you go to the trouble of using the same wire inside the speaker...

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

It's no different than connecting a 200lb rated chain to a long length of 50lb rated chain. The 200lb rated chain doesn't magically make the rest of the chain stronger, does it?

You are correct, but the other way around put 200lbs weight on it and the 50lb chain will break.

BTW. I don't have any aftermarket Power cables, i do have one on the way though. I think they can be essential in certain cases. If an amp has a 20amp iec connector on it and the circuit it is on is 20 amps why would you want a 15 amp power cord?

For other equipment i'm not sure they're all that important but for power amps i'm all for them.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Yeah, but doesn't the length of the run have a lot to do with speaker wire gauge? The longer the run, the lower the gauge, right?

Yes, it does. Regardless of the diameter of internal wiring powering each driver, a 30-50' length of quality speaker wire is better than a 30-50' length of 22 guage speaker wire that comes with HTIB setups (for extreme example).

That said, it's also worth ripping into your speakers & replacing the internal wiring with something decent too (that is, if your speakers are budget-minded & therefore likely to have small internal wiring).

[xneox]

Originally Posted by SRTCraig

You are correct, but the other way around put 200lbs weight on it and the 50lb chain will break.

Exactly - and in this analogy, the 50lb chain is the Romex leading from an appropriately-sized circuit breaker in your service panel to your media room's wall outlet - a 100' run not at all out of the question, and 15amp service typical to 95% of wall outlets. The 200lb chain is the fancy aftermarket power cord - what...8 feet? You're right - throw a 200lb weight (a draw too much for the weak link - the Romex/circuit breaker) and it will break.

What is the benefit to the short length of 200lb-rated chain over the short length of 50lb-rated chain that came with the equipment?

As others have already said, an improvement will only be realized if the supplied power cord is significantly lower-rated than the electrical service leading to the wall outlet (as in your example - 20 amp service & a 15 amp power cord), AND the device is capable of a higher draw than the supplied power cord is meant to handle. In other words - the oem power cord has to actually be THE weak link in order for its replacement to make a difference. Otherwise, it's just like adding eight feet of tow chain to 100 feet of herringbone necklace. Nice looking tow chain ya got there.