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In Reply to: RE: I dont see posted by Awe-d-o-file on April 23, 2016 at 14:03:42
It's pure hearsay when I read these kind of reports. A key point within the accusation is when the writer says:
"...expensive power cords do not cause an audio system to get louder... if they do anything at all."
High-performance power cords tend to provide much better clarity, tonality/timbrel information, soundstage dimensions/spatial cues vs. 18 AWG stock power cords, which may be misinterpreted as sounding "louder".
As to the statement, "if they do anything at all", the premise of the report is not a credible evaluation. It's a futile example of biased opinion based on sheer ignorance of an actuality. If an opinion maker is unaware of something that is of great value to many end users, how can they refute sonic betterment due to high-performance audiophile power cords.
Follow Ups:
The fact of the matter is that if "high-performance power cords tend to provide much better clarity, tonality/timbrel information, soundstage dimensions/spatial cues" they would tend to make the audio sound less loud at the same volume level as the sound would be more pleasing to the ear which then interprets the sound as less loud. Distortion causes music at the same volume levels to sound louder due to the distortion. This why boom boxes sound loud even though they are only capable of fractions of watts output..they distort which sounds loud and even painful at low levels.
(in my not-so-humble opinion) is that if a higher-performance power cable is causing the volume to sound louder, then that particular cable's design is providing (the given equipment's power supply) improved efficiency, and is clearly more sympatico than other designs.
Other parameters (tone, frequency extension, etc. etc.) are different issues, and many times are about personal preference. But a more efficient design is easy to hear. That's been my experience over 27+ years comparing and evaluating power cables.
Your response brings to mind a perfect example of how two power cords, both featuring the same materials and geometry except for the gauge of the conductors can actually affect how obvious and profound the difference in loudness may seem; again with all things being equal except the gauge of the current carrying conductors:
The 10 AWG Acrolink 7N-P4030 II and 14 AWG Acrolink 7N-P4020III are identical power cord designs except for the fact that the 7N-P4030 II features over twice the cross section of the smaller gauge 7N-P4020III. Other than one being a larger gauge power cord, they are identical.
Anyone can tell the difference when comparing them, since the smaller gauge product presents a notably smaller scale soundstage (but with excellent focus), less forward image projection, leaner tonality, less dynamic drive, and most important to this topic, the sense of how loud the presentation seems via the 10 AWG power cord vs. the 14 AWG power cord, even for use with low-current source components. The difference is undeniably obvious, IME.
And one will interact with a given power supply differently, one being more efficient than the other, even though the materials are identical. In the case of differing designs and differing materials, interacting with differently designed power supplies, the results are not predictable either.
Even though I've been listening to and evaluating cables for over 27 years, the exercise is a crap-shoot. I've certainly had my share of surprises, both great and not-so-great. As you would agree, one's ears are the best tool.
Excellent point- Alan.
I went for the middle ground in my post. I saw biases in what I read so I didnt want to come on too strong but we see things the same. The OP of the thread is of a similar ilk when you read some of his comments about power cords and his implementation of various cords with his gear. Im most sorry that even as a dealer it was about 2002 before I tried upgrading power delivery.
ET
Are you referring to me as the OP, or Waldrep in the article I linked to? Similar ilk? I'm hoping that was meant as a good thing.With my amp, I had not heard any real differences between the stock cord and the two others. So I was a little surprised at how much different that one diy cord was, compared to the others. I really hadn't been listening with any evaluation in mind, other than a quiet transformer.
If it wasn't clear, I believe and have heard the changes in sound that power cords have on a system. Other than captive cords and the cord to my batter charger/power supply to my phono preamp, I have no stock cords.
Edits: 04/23/16
I felt the same regret when I discovered the benefit of power line conditioners vs. hardware store variety power strips. I wished I'd been aware of PLCs so many listening hours before then...
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