Power Cord

[TOP_GUN]

does it make and differance in buying a better power cord for your system

[ixlegitballinxl]

dont think so..i'd recommend a power conditioner though!

[richteer]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

does it make and differance in buying a better power cord for your system

Depends on the quality of the rest of your system. At a small enough scale everything matters, so it is possible that a better power cord can improve your system. Just make sure that you've got the basics right first.

[TOP_GUN]

i have a marantz 7001 avr will a better power cord help

[richteer]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

i have a marantz 7001 avr will a better power cord help

Nice receiver! The best thing to do is to try one, on the understanding that you can return it if you don't think it made a worthwhile difference.

[maseo503]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

does it make and differance in buying a better power cord for your system

do you live in a house or apt?

are you currently using a power conditioner/surge protector from the wall outlet?

is a whole-house surge protector in use?

are you willing to accept little or no audible difference from such an upgrade?

[welwynnick]

I did try changing the power cord on a stereo amplifier some time ago. I actually found that it made the amplifier sound worse. This was a great surprise, as I was expecting the amp's power supply to isolate it from any difference to the supply that the cable to bring about, but this wasn't the case. My conclusion was a negative one on that occassion, so I presume there must also be ways of making cables that sound better.

Nick

[rogman]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

does it make and differance in buying a better power cord for your system

I doubt it would make a difference. It sounds like a salesman trying to pad the sale with useless upgrades, IMHO. I'm sure the manufacturers would provide adequate power cords when they ship their merchandise.

...then again, they still ship composite cables with...

[Clark Kent]

It can make a slight difference but this issue only comes into play once you have every single thing in your setup/chain of gear basically perfect. I think it would apply most to high end($20,000 and up) two channel setups. I do not think most receivers would get any benefit.

[ixlegitballinxl]

i wouldnt mess with what the manufacturer suggested for powering..unless your smart about those kinda things....sometimes better to leave good enough alone!!!

[syncguy]

Yes, the manufacture supplied power cable should be perfect for your system. As some other poster explained, take care when you are routing mains and signal cables.

[cpgator]

I don't think upgrading power cords will make a difference, but running a dedicated power line is helpful.

[gearyt]

Ok.... The power cord will only make a difference IF you go smaller..
smaller gauge will conduct less amps ( power ) and heat up ( wasted energy )
soooo.. If the manufacturer issued the right one, and they do, changeing to a larger gauge IE: from 18 ga to 14 ga, will not make a difference.
going smaller ( 12 ga is code for 20 amps, 14 is code for 15 amps, etc)
or over a longer distance, will cause problems.
hope this answers your question

geary

[richteer]

Originally Posted by gearyt

Ok.... The power cord will only make a difference IF you go smaller..
smaller gauge will conduct less amps ( power ) and heat up ( wasted energy )
soooo.. If the manufacturer issued the right one, and they do, changeing to a larger gauge IE: from 18 ga to 14 ga, will not make a difference.
going smaller ( 12 ga is code for 20 amps, 14 is code for 15 amps, etc)
or over a longer distance, will cause problems.
hope this answers your question

geary

We're not just talking about the wire gauge.

On a high enough end system, I'm open to the idea that the quality of the mains cable can make an improvment over the stock one, though I've yet to perform my own experiments. I would, howver, say that the mains cable is a low priority item. Get everything else sorted out first, then tweak the main cable.

[Blaumann]

During my high-end audio phase, i tried (and bought) a NBS powercord for my (Gryphon) power amp. I heard a rather big difference while testing it. I had a friend over, who didn't care about audio. He heard the difference as well.

I wouldn't do it today, because there is no frame of reference as to what is "better", it was just different.

[Gremal]

Better is what you prefer. Power cords do make a difference. So does everything in the signal path. I'm using an Electraglide Ultra Khan 2 cord with solid silver conductors on my tube amp. I'm using some other aftermarket cords, as well as some stock cords.

The sad truth is that any component, cord or tweak you make to your system will change it. Whether you prefer the change or can even hear it is another question, dependent on your room your ears and your other gear.

[cpgator]

Originally Posted by richteer

We're not just talking about the wire gauge.

On a high enough end system, I'm open to the idea that the quality of the mains cable can make an improvment over the stock one, though I've yet to perform my own experiments. I would, howver, say that the mains cable is a low priority item. Get everything else sorted out first, then tweak the main cable.

Question - if you aren't changing the cord inside the receiver or the cabling inside the wall, what difference does it make if you 'upgrade' the few feet between the receiver and wall?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Better is what you prefer. Power cords do make a difference. So does everything in the signal path. I'm using an Electraglide Ultra Khan 2 cord with solid silver conductors on my tube amp. I'm using some other aftermarket cords, as well as some stock cords.

The sad truth is that any component, cord or tweak you make to your system will change it. Whether you prefer the change or can even hear it is another question, dependent on your room your ears and your other gear.

Spot on in all regards. The only thing I'd add is a comment about the law of diminishing returns, and preceived value. Someone might very well here the difference a $500 mains cable makes, but conclude that for them it isn't worth the expense (can;t argue with that).

I think it's also (unfortunately) true that once a certain level of performance has been achieved, one must pay substantially more for a relatively small improvement. *Shrug*

[richteer]

Originally Posted by cpgator

Question - if you aren't changing the cord inside the receiver or the cabling inside the wall, what difference does it make if you 'upgrade' the few feet between the receiver and wall?

I haven't the faintest idea!

All I know is that I've been involved with this hobby (specifically, high end audio) for too long to not be open to pretty off beat ideas: bi-wiring, different types of speaker cables, equipment stands, isolating platforms under certain components. To my ears, some work and others don't, but as I say, an open mind with a healthy dose of scepticism is a good thing.

I was auditioning a turntable once and complained about some facet of the sound. The guy demoing it to me said (behind my back) "I think I know what's wrong" and made an adjustment I couldn't see. The difference was night and day, so I was astonished to hear that he'd tweaked the VTA a tiny bit.

[Blaumann]

Originally Posted by cpgator

Question - if you aren't changing the cord inside the receiver or the cabling inside the wall, what difference does it make if you 'upgrade' the few feet between the receiver and wall?

I think of it as an additional filter. Whatever that changes, i don't know.

Thing is, the manufacturer can probably get the same "tonal" changes in the hardware in the first place with parts that cost a few dollars instead of the big money that you have to pay for a "special" powercord. If you prefer the tonal differences such a cord produces, then maybe one should look for a amp (or any other component that "benefits" from a change of the cord) that simply sounds the way you want it to. Or get a good pro audio processor, where you can change the sound exactly the way you like it. But that is just my take.

Being adults, we can decide for ourselves what we think is worth our money and what isn't. For the newbies or the OP: Special power cords are in the same league as Monster cable HDMI cables: 99.9% probability you are getting ripped off.