Any benefits of using upgraded Power Cord on 3BST ?

oris98 · « **on:** 8 Feb 2005, 06:56 pm »

Hi guys,

I am wondering if upgrading the PC from stock for my 3BST would have significant improvement sonically ? I am considering DIY, PS Audio Statement, TG Audio Silver Ref or Virtual Dynamic Nite I ?? (PC is connecting between the PS Audio Power Plant 600 and the 3bst)

Any experience of using these PC with your Bryston AMP and PP600 ?

Many thanks in advance...

BachToRock · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 06:33 pm »

I believe James would agree in saying that the 14/3 stock power cord will deliver all of the current that the amp will ever require from the wall outlet and that no cable 6 feet long is going to make a difference sonically after 100's to 1000's of feet of sans snake oil.

Ron D · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 09:09 pm »

I've got one on my Bryston amp and it makes me sleep better at night and thats all it does. Tried many a cable on many a Bryston amp and was always willing myself to hear any differences. Get one if you really want one buy don't spend too much money on it - buy used!

I'd even try the amp right into the wall and away from the power plant...

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 09:31 pm »

I see you've got a few Bolder products in your setup. Why not give Wayne a call about a PC? Have him build you something using Furutech Rhodium plated plugs. I've had experience with more than a few of Wayne's PC's that used the Furutech plugs. And they've been great. Those plugs have a really good grip. Which, IMO is one of the biggest needs in power delivery. The tighter/better you can get all of your power connections the better.

jselectro · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 04:18 am »

If you can use a wire stripper and screwdriver you can save yourself a bundle by constructing a high quality power cord yourself. See the instructions at Parts Express at: http://www.partsexpress.com/resources/110-400.html
The part numbers are at the top of the page. I have built several for my equipment, but to be honest with you, I can hear no difference between this and the stock line cord of my Bryston 4BSST. You can probably put your money to better use on other audio mods. Hope this helps.

nicolasb · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 11:19 am »

There are a number of ways that a cleverly-constructed power cord could improve the sound of some components - but most of these would make a power amplifier sound worse rather than better. Upgrading power cords can be useful at the source, sometimes even at the pre-amp stage, but not for a power-amp.

Just make sure it's plugged directly into a wall socket, not any sort of extension, and keep other cables well away from mains cables.

Alfalfa · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Feb 2005, 01:21 pm »

From personal experience I can attest there's differences in sound after changing power cords. Whether this is an improvement or makes things worse coms down to your setup. Just make yourself a powercord of (solid copepr) construction wire. Chances are you'll hear a more detailed, yet somewhat etchy sound. That's a difference!

I think we all end up focussing at very small differences because we know our own setup so well after listening to it every night. This can make small improvements, ehh.. changes worthwhile I think.

So yes, cables influence sound slightly, but significantly, same goes for power leads.

Fife12 · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 03:25 am »

I heard absolutely no difference with an upgraded powercord (from Company XYZ that costed $400+).

I sold the cable and bought myself a new source. The source made a MUCH better improvement.

I have upgraded the source powercable and that has made a difference (better of course).

KKM · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 04:24 pm »

According to Bryston themselves, you can't make an improvment with different PC's in their products:

http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/82_files/vol8is2.html

Alfalfa · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 07:13 pm »

Well, I haven't tried it on Bryston amps (yet).

I will be needing longer mains lead when I place the 7B ST's close behind the IB2's so I think I will try something sooner or later. I'll write the results down here why I try.

turbo56k · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Mar 2005, 04:26 am »

First post, please be nice

I bit the bullet and ordered the DIY Vh flavor #4 PC for my bryston 3bst. At first I convinced myself that there was a different between the stock Pc and #4PC. Music was more involving, more synergy with #4. However switching back and forth between stock and #4, created a problem, confusion. I was getting confused about the sound, It seems that stock was as good as #4. I couldn't justify cost of spending $200+ US for the power cable to my wife.

I was disappointed and stopped listen to my system for a whole week. Then one night I tried again (#4)with Norah Jones, come away with me. I found that the presentation of Norah's vocal has been pushed forward a bit, it also has more depth to it. Soundstage has really opened up, and music was actually more involving. It cast a blacker background overall, also botton end has better authority.

Back to stock cable, the vocal was more laid back, soundstage ain't as big.

The differences wasn't day and night, a matter of fact, a is it a just minor one. Nevertheless with the minor difference in my system, it was enough for me to be able to justify the cost of the cable, furthermore I considering getting 2 more PCs for pre and Cd fron Vh.

I hope that my experience has given you another insight. Best of luck.

Fife12 · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Mar 2005, 05:27 am »

turbo56k,

Welcome to the forums.

What you should try in fact is use the VH4 you have on your source or pre-amp first. It would probably make a better difference than the marginal performance when used on your Bryston amp.

Kudra · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Mar 2005, 07:45 am »

Turbo56k
I think that Chris' power cords are fabulous. What is did first was burn my Flavor #2 and #4 for a straight 72 hrs, actually more like 80 hrs. Hooked it up to the refrigerator and let it go. Made my own pair of adapter plugs so i could burn them in all at once. You should notice a huge difference in sound. the bryston is a great amp and the VH PC should bring more of that great quality out.
If things don't appear drastically different after this, i would give chris a ring. He is a pretty great guy to talk with.

Good Luck!
ivan

John Casler · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Mar 2005, 02:57 pm »

Quote from: Kudra

Turbo56k
I think that Chris' power cords are fabulous. What is did first was burn my Flavor #2 and #4 for a straight 72 hrs, actually more like 80 hrs. Hooked it up to the refrigerator and let it go. Made my own pair of adapter plugs so i could burn them in all at once. You should notice a huge difference in sound. the bryston is a great amp and the VH PC should bring more of that great quality out.
If things don't appear drastically different after this, i would give chris a ring. He is a pretty great guy to talk with.

Good Luck!
ivan

Hi Ivan,

Just noticed you are a new poster. Welcome to AC and Bryston/PMC.

I also noticed you are in So California. If you didn't know it, there is a So Cal Circle, as well as the LA & Orange Co Audiophile Society, if you are so inclined as to want to "socialize" with fellow Audiophiles.

Again..Welcome.

Allezvite · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Mar 2005, 03:11 pm »

Quote from: KKM

According to Bryston themselves, you can't make an improvment with different PC's in their products:

http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/82_files/vol8is2.html

This is the default position of most electronics manufacturers. Linn has said the same thing and upgraded power cords made a big difference on Linn equipment I have owned / own.

I upgraded first to Wireworld Stratus III and then to the PS Audio Plus (used they're a great deal) and found the 3BSST to be quieter and it seems a little more muscular sounding. The Wireworld made little difference to the 3B, but the PS Audio is much superior IMO. It's also 3x the price. Some equipment benefits less than others from good powercords, but in my experience,

- with the equipment I have owned
- with the quality of AC I have in my home
- with my power conditioner (Chang CLS 3200 Mk II)

it has always made a positive improvement. Your mileage may vary, but many good PC's are a cost-effective upgrade and a good store will let you try one out. Pretty easy to hear for you yourself.

ctviggen · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Mar 2005, 03:18 pm »

Take that $200 and buy two Mini Traps from Real Traps. Put them in the corners or at your first reflection point. You'll notice an improvement that goes well, well beyond changing power cords. Personally, I've purchased power cords for all of my amps and preamp. My conclusion -- I can't tell any difference. However, for my amps, I can't do any real testing, as it takes me over an hour to change something as simple as a power cord. Thus, I can't put in the normal power cord, listen, put in the new power cord, listen, etc. For my preamp, I plugged in the new power cord an noticed not an iota of difference, so I didn't care to keep experimenting.

miked510 · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Mar 2005, 10:07 pm »

I use a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet 20amp High Current. I A/B'd my amp with and without.

Blacker background, inaudible noise floor, and wonderful transparency in 2-channel. Not talking about nite/day or those other gushy audiophile descriptions, but I think it was worth it.