[bullethead]

I upgraded the stock power cord of my Bel Canto DAC2 which I have been using for about 2 years or so to a PS Audio Prelude power cord.

Everything sounds "dark" now.  Does the DAC have to "break-in" again now that it has a better stream of power going to it?

I never thought that I could hear differences with power cords, I guess I was wrong. 

[Tr3vWh0r3]

It's probably not the power cord you are hearing, just the actual sound of the DAC with lowered noise. I don't think anymore break-in will occur with the changed cord, maybe changing IC's now will let you adjust the sound to your liking? Just my thoughts, no science in there at all.

[bullethead]

It's probably not the power cord you are hearing, just the actual sound of the DAC with lowered noise. I don't think anymore break-in will occur with the changed cord, maybe changing IC's now will let you adjust the sound to your liking? Just my thoughts, no science in there at all.

Hmm, If that's the case the lowered noise floor completely took away the "airy" quality I had before.  I still have in my head that the electronics are now fully quenched and have to be re-adjusted, I know it takes awhile for system synergy from past experience (about 48-72 hours of use after any cable changes).  I could of course just be getting too old 

[Jon L]

It's probably not the power cord you are hearing, just the actual sound of the DAC with lowered noise. I don't think anymore break-in will occur with the changed cord, maybe changing IC's now will let you adjust the sound to your liking? Just my thoughts, no science in there at all.

Hmm, If that's the case the lowered noise floor completely took away the "airy" quality I had before.  I still have in my head that the electronics are now fully quenched and have to be re-adjusted, I know it takes awhile for system synergy from past experience (about 48-72 hours of use after any cable changes).  I could of course just be getting too old 

Lots of audiophile cords sound "worse" than stock cords depending on the situation.  Usually, thick audiophile cords tend to overdo amount of shielding and the conductor AWG, leading to the perceived "darker" sound.  No problem.  Just use the stock cord 

[gitarretyp]

Hmm, If that's the case the lowered noise floor completely took away the "airy" quality I had before.  I still have in my head that the electronics are now fully quenched and have to be re-adjusted, I know it takes awhile for system synergy from past experience (about 48-72 hours of use after any cable changes).  I could of course just be getting too old 

Noise and distortion can sometimes lead to what seems like increased high frequency resolution and air. Whether that's the cause or not, i dunno.

[TheChairGuy]

I upgraded the stock power cord of my Bel Canto DAC2 which I have been using for about 2 years or so to a PS Audio Prelude power cord.

Everything sounds "dark" now.  Does the DAC have to "break-in" again now that it has a better stream of power going to it?

I never thought that I could hear differences with power cords, I guess I was wrong. 

I found the same with a PS Audio Extreme a couple years back...sold it in short time - wasn't at all to my liking.

Power cord disbelievers, fire away 

[pearsall001]

Turn on more lights, that'll "lighten" up the sound!!!  Kidding aside, don't PS products come with a return policy? If you don't like the new sound just return them. If you bought them privately then I'm afraid you're stuck with them. Spend & learn.

[bullethead]

So I thought about what this was that I was doing.  Where was this missing link? 

It seemed crazy that the sound would change so drastically?  The cord is taking advantage of power current...  I jumped and made a leap of faith to an upgraded Power Outlet.  This was marketed as a A/V quality power outlet to feed the system the electricity.  The outlet is called the PS Audio Powerport.

After turning off the electricity in the house and changing the outlet I went back to the listening chair.  I returned to find everthing that was missing was back after the outlet upgrade.  Not only has the sense of air returned but it seemed to contain more power and extension that I had remembered previously.  The "tin" sound was gone and I was left with upper, mid and low extension which I haven't heard before.

Problem resolved.  It wasn't really the power cord, it was what was feeding it.

[lonewolfny42]

Problem resolved.  It wasn't really the power cord, it was what was feeding it.

Ah....no.... ....must be voodoo.....that stuff doesn't work.... (just kidding).

Glad to hear you've solved the problem....

[oris98]

If you use a virtural dynamic or Shunyata PC with your dac, you will hear even more air, depth and better imaging with your dac too.

[navi]

hey Bullethead

Give your power cables and outlets time to run-in. I use Oyaide connectors and acrolink cables in my system- and they need about a week to sound good. (or is it my ears adjusting to the sound?)

[SET Man]

Hey!

   First... for the record. I'm a skeptic about expensive powercord. To me when is come to AC power a good copper and enough ga. is all I think is needed. So, my current powercord are Carol 12ga. rubber cover from Home Depot with lower model Wattgate connector

    But I do believe in a good tight connection and that is why I use Wattgate connector and....

    When I moved in too my current apartment I changed the outlet to the PS Powerport. If I my memory served me right... at first the system sound like what people would call "more airy" but to me it was more glare.

    After a while.... or should I say after the break-in it sound what you would call "dark" but it is really quieter to me. But with less background noise the detail, naunce and dynamic now really come out. I know this changed for sure since I only play mostly FM and not my current favorite playlist music.

  So, let us know in about a week or two how the sound changed.

Take care,
Buddy