Power Cords- Sonic benefit or not??

Bingenito · « **on:** 5 Sep 2004, 11:52 am »

I know this topic is controversial. If you were skeptical and tried an after market cord please respond.

How beneficial are after market power cords?

Please rule out placebo or purchase satisfaction. I am interested in an audible difference that anyone can hear.

If you have tried after market cords on various equipment, what make and model have you used and was there a sonic benefit?

I have 3 dedicated 20 amp circuits for audio

1 for a BPT CPC (Components plugged in):
* Krell Preamp
* Esoteric DV50
* DBX DriveRack

1 for Sim Titan power amp (20 amp IEC)

1 for a Crown K1 power amp

Video is on a separate circuit

Thank you

StevenACNJ · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 12:53 pm »

Bingenito,

I am assuming from your post that you are using factory PC on all your audio gear.

A few years ago I got interested in PC and built several DIY cryo treated Asylum power cords and they worked out well.

I noticed that Kevin @ DIY Cable has a sale on his finished (not kits)Asylum cords. The price is about $48. Pretty low price for a decent finished cord. You could get one and burn it in on your computer then test it out on your audio gear. If you have some Walker SST or Pro Gold around apply it to the male parts. Decide for yourself if it works.

By the way I have since upgraded all my PC to 9 of VH Audio cryo treated, Furutech gold connectors, & Walker SST. Cost me some money to do that, so I am a believer.

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=89_21&products_id=100

Bingenito · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:05 pm »

Quote

By the way I have since upgraded all my PC to 9 of VH Audio cryo treated, Furutech gold connectors, & Walker SST. Cost me some money to do that, so I am a believer.

I am considering all Flavor 4 cords with the options you have listed that is why I am asking for opinions.

Did you notice an imporvement going to the VH Audio cords? If so was it night - Day?

The PC burn in is a good idea to bad I sold my desktops for laptops. Maybe I will get a few 500 watt server power supplies and build a tool to burn in cables

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:09 pm »

Yesterday,(9/04/04) at the latest meeting of the NY Rave group at Phil's, we did a power cord switch on one of the dac's we were comparing. There was an immediate change in the sound .....for the better !!! If I didn't hear it....I would not of believed it. So , IMO , yes they can change the sound....cus, I heard it.

Bingenito · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:12 pm »

Did you switch stock for after market or compare 2 after market cords?

StevenACNJ · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:24 pm »

Bingenito,

I believe Chris @ VH Audio sells an adapter that you can use to burn your PC in with like your refridgerator.

Just buy an adapter plug and 1 Flav 4 cord from Chris and test it out. If you dont get the results your looking for I am sure you can sell it quickly.

http://venhaus1.com/VH_Audio_Test.html

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:25 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito

Did you switch stock for after market or compare 2 after market cords?

After market cords...from Acoustic Zen to Audience on the dac. Everyone noticed the change in the sound....for the better !! This was on a "top shelf" system......Phil's home system.

Occam · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:28 pm »

Try these -
http://www.carlton-bates.com/cb/invsrch/invframe.asp?srchfield=stkmfgpart&vendor=ALL&codevend=ALL&sval=17604&submit1=Go

For less than $5ea, and < $7ea for the 9' 17605 version, in quantites >=2, these establish the baseline, 'minimum level of medicraty' for powercords.
Sorry, Volex doesn't make a 20A IEC version for your Sim.

Compare any audiophile cords to these Volexs, not what comes with most components. Certainly, a good 'audiophile' cord should better these commodity industrial cords, but the question is - 'by how much, and at what cost?' That, good Sir, is very subjective and depends on your individual metrics.
FWIW

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:33 pm »

Point of reference....check NY Rave meeting posts concerning comparisons performed...... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=12876.msg109964#109964

Carlman · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 01:58 pm »

Quote from: Occam

Certainly, a good 'audiophile' cord should better these commodity industrial cords, but the question is - 'by how much, and at what cost?' That, good Sir, is very subjective and depends on your individual metrics.
FWIW

I keep meaning to compare the Audience PC but the stars haven't aligned yet to make this possible.

In my mind, power cords *shouldn't* make any difference on low-wattage devices... but I often hear that it does by people I respect... and by people who have poorer hearing than myself.

I've heard a significant difference going from stock to a DIY Belden 83802 cord. However, how much better can it get? I don't know. Like Occam said, it gets a little subjective beyond a certain point.

Also, I think there's more at play w/ some PC's internally. Maybe they're putting a device into the cord to filter RFI, or otherwise clean the power... ? What if the PC just happens to have the perfect electrical quality for the internal device?

PhilNYC · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 02:16 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

In my mind, power cords *shouldn't* make any difference on low-wattage devices... but I often hear that it does by people I respect... and by people who have poorer hearing than myself. .

Carl, I've actually found that power cords have a greater impact on low-wattage devices. I don't claim to have the technical knowledge to know specifically why, but my understanding of this is that most amps will have more built in to them to correct power coming in, whereas source/preamps/etc don't. In my experience and to my ears, power cords have the most impact on digital sources...

Carlman · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 03:17 pm »

Phil, that's what I'm saying... 'in my mind'.. and 'shouldn't' being the operative words... just from a purely technical mindset that if the power is 'adequate' per the requirements of the device, it 'shouldn't' matter... but many people tell me it DOES in fact make a nice improvement. I use all DIY or Volex power cords in my gear. I figure it's the most bang for my buck.... If I ever finish changing my system into something that will be around for a while, I'll likely try the Audience PC. I have Audience IC's and SC's now and have been very happy with them for a year... which is a long time for me.

djbnh · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 04:02 pm »

I've posted previously on the various real, audible sonic improvements related to Chris Ven Haus cryoed Flavor 1 and 2 PCs. I would expect the same significant impact with the cryoed Flavor 4s. Additionally, Chris is a wonderful person with which to interface, and his guarantee is an additional asset.

If you purchase VH PCs, make sure you give them sufficient burn in time. I note Chris VH also sells a burn in adaptor plug that can facilitate the process.

Furthermore, I cannot endorse strongly enough an earlier post's opinion about treating the male PC ends with Walker SST. I also treat the IEC's prongs. If you go this route, please carefully apply this product according to the directions; take your time, use a steady hand, and just use a little.

Best of luck with whatever you decide works best in your system. For me, my wallet, and my system, VH PCs continue to fit wonderfully.

markC · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Sep 2004, 01:27 pm »

djbnh, did you have the oportunity to compare the non-cryoed versions of Chris's cords? If so, what benefits did you experience?

Gordy · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Sep 2004, 02:33 pm »

About two years ago I add a non-cryo'd VH flavor 2 to my Odyssey Stratos and gained both dynamics and bottom end punch. Since then it's powered the two amps I've used, though I've never a/b'd since then. I also added a flavor 2 to my sub amp. Someday

a cryo'd flavor 4 will power my main amp and a flavor two will be installed in my captive cord tube pre. Oh, and a Parts Connexion cord from my 'on the blink' T-200 is powering a Sony 999es. Guess you can count me in as a big CVH fan

Playing with the expensive ones is simply out of the question, especially since I've a feeling a fit of insanity may soon force me to consider buying
an AKSA kit...

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Sep 2004, 05:27 pm »

My preamp and amps have built in power cords so I'm stuck with them. My CDplayer has a detachible cord. I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile upgrading the CDplayer cord. I know that when upgrading interconnects it's best to replace all of them. No mismatch then.

Cheers
Charlie

Dozer · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Sep 2004, 10:10 pm »

Mismatched power cords is a big no-no. You might as well just have a Sanyo rack system if you're going to squander your high end components with mismatched powercords! I advise you to promptly address this matter.

Bingenito · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Sep 2004, 11:31 pm »

Thank you to everyone that responded to this thread. I just ordered 4- VH Audio Flavor 4 PCs.

To accurately review the cords all components in my system will be replaced with Flavor 4's including the BPT CPC.

Hearing will be believing once I receive the cords.

djbnh · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Sep 2004, 12:35 am »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

My preamp and amps have built in power cords so I'm stuck with them. My CDplayer has a detachible cord. I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile upgrading the CDplayer cord. I know that when upgrading interconnects it's best to replace all of them. No mismatch then.

Cheers
Charlie

I have a Jolida JD-100 that was upgraded in part with a Chris VenHaus cryoed Flavor 1 PC. Huge positive difference in my system, so I heartily endorse upgrading the CPD PC.

Christof · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Sep 2004, 01:01 am »

Bryan

I just ordered the parts to build 6 of the Vh flav #3's for all my componets including Rick's Chalcedony's. Talked with a guy who is installing a very high tech alarm system on one of my residential projects, about the use of different wires. He is not an audio guy but convinced me, scientifically, that upgraded PC's are not a snake oil fix. Of course, the law of diminishing returns has to set in at some point, what about the antiquated electrical lines burried in my walls?

c.