[RJ]

There must be some explanation as to why fancy replacement AC cables are used. I don't understand why since Romex electrical cable goes from the breaker panel to the ac outlet. What difference would a few feet of fancy three conductor wire make? I'm not being a wise guy, I just would like to know what the technical reasons are and how it would affect the audio.

Thanks,
Ron

[yo2tup]

Read here

http://www.shunyata.com/Content/FAQ-Tech.html

[Occam]

Read here

http://www.shunyata.com/Content/FAQ-Tech.html

Well.... that reference certainly proves to me that this question is best addressed outside the Lab circle. Metaphors wrapped inside of similes. MMMMMmmmmm ..... Yummy! 

That call and response was positively sPiRiTuaL.
Reminds me of late fall, when the Mallowmars sprout and ripen.

So, as Mod of the Lab Circle, I'm kick'n upstairs so that this thread can get the proper audience it deserves.

[richidoo]

The only technical explanations I garnered from the FAQ was that a super PC provides low resistance to prevent rectifier noise from echoing back into the PS, and shielding from EMI near the system. I am hoping there is more to the story?

[yo2tup]

no idea.   i just saw it posted on another forum.        

[richidoo]

Fun read, yo... Tx

[Philistine]

Here's another attempt to try and explain the issue (there's also a presentation inside the link).

http://www.lessloss.com/lessloss_power_cable.html

[*Scotty*]

So far I have never seen any explanation for why power cords can affect to sound of a component that was not full of pseudo-scientific jargon
and part of a manufacturers marketing spiel. As such I haven't worried about why a power cord can have a positive effect on my system.
I use them and have kept my investment in them within what I deem to be reasonable and prudent limits. While a crap stock power cord can limit the performance of a well designed component a hyper-expensive power-cord is a poor substitute for a better sounding piece of gear.
Scotty 

[SET Man]

 

There must be some explanation as to why fancy replacement AC cables are used. .....What difference would a few feet of fancy three conductor wire make?
Thanks,
Ron

Hey!

 Well, I have to admit that I've never tried expensive or even bought any for my system.

   So, I guess I don't really have explianation for this. 

   You know this question about power cord seems to me like it is one of those life's mysteries for audiophile like us

Take care,
Buddy

[satfrat]

So far I have never seen any explanation for why power cords can affect to sound of a component that was not full of pseudo-scientific jargon
and part of a manufacturers marketing spiel. As such I haven't worried about why a power cord can have a positive effect on my system.
I use them and have kept my investment in them within what I deem to be reasonable and prudent limits. While a crap stock power cord can limit the performance of a well designed component a hyper-expensive power-cord is a poor substitute for a better sounding piece of gear.
Scotty 

So you're saying  a "better sounding piece of gear" won't benefit from a higher quailty power cord? 

I don't think so but I'm not the one with all the answers either. 

Cheers,
Robin

[Bigfish]

Over the past year this subject has been discussed more than a few times.  There is always two camps, one that believes high end pcs make a difference in sound and the other that argues there is no proof.  I purchased used Black Sand Silvers and use them in my system.  Yes, I think they make an improvement and they make me feel good that they are in my system.  Would I be able to pass a blind fold test with and without them in my system?  Maybe, maybe not but I like the fact the Black Sand Silvers are in the system.  I believe this is just another part of the nervosa of the audio hobby!

Ken

[satfrat]

Over the past year this subject has been discussed more than a few times.  There is always two camps, one that believes high end pcs make a difference in sound and the other that argues there is no proof.  I purchased used Black Sand Silvers and use them in my system.  Yes, I think they make an improvement and they make me feel good that they are in my system.  Would I be able to pass a blind fold test with and without them in my system?  Maybe, maybe not but I like the fact the Black Sand Silvers are in the system.  I believe this is just another part of the nervosa of the audio hobby!

Ken

Now there's a statement I'm in full agreement with Ken.   

Cheers,
Robin

[reflex]

I've got 4 aftermarket power cables now.  A Zu Audio Bok, Black Sands Violet Z1 & the yet to be officially announced ZII (though they are available, just not finalized re: exact connectors that will be official) and today I got the new DH Labs Red Wave.  While I have not done a critical comparison yet, though I intend to and post in the appropriate place, the Bok, Violet Z1 and Red Wave all sound different on my Musical Fidelity A3.5CD.  The Red Wave shows lots of promise, even though it has very little time on it. 

[*Scotty*]

satfrat, An expensive power cord won't turn a sows ear into a silk purse. If I am given a choice I will purchase performance first and accessorize
after the fact. I would say the better the gear the more it may benefit from an after-market power cord. It is possible to spend over $4000.00
on a power cord. This amount of money will buy a good power amp and perhaps a better preamp.
Scotty

[satfrat]

satfrat, An expensive power cord won't turn a sows ear into a silk purse. If I am given a choice I will purchase performance first and accessorize
after the fact. I would say the better the gear the more it may benefit from an after-market power cord. It is possible to spend over $4000.00
on a power cord. This amount of money will by a good power amp and perhaps a better preamp.
Scotty

Like I said, you're the man with all the answers,,,, I am not.  I simply do not agree with you,,,, peroid. 

Cheers,
Robin

[*Scotty*]

Robin, I only what I won't do and what courses of action seem illogical to me. The only answer I know for sure is 42.
You may be pursuing a different path towards satisfaction and you probably measure gains in performance differently than I do and that's okay by me.
Enjoy the ride.
Scotty

[BobM]

For what it's worth to you, take a look at my review of several PC's that I was loaned to make such a determination for myself.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50799.0

Do they make a difference - yes, different cords do change the presentation and tonality (don't know why they should but they do).

Is there much of a difference - over a stock cord, yes absolutely. The differences between the upscape cords one to another are more subtle though.

Do you need to pay a lot for a PC to get the benefit - no, absolutely not. See my shootout and you'll understand better.

Enjoy,
Bob

[reflex]

For what it's worth to you, take a look at my review of several PC's that I was loaned to make such a determination for myself.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50799.0

Do they make a difference - yes, different cords do change the presentation and tonality (don't know why they should but they do).

Is there much of a difference - over a stock cord, yes absolutely. The differences between the upscape cords one to another are more subtle though.

Do you need to pay a lot for a PC to get the benefit - no, absolutely not. See my shootout and you'll understand better.

Enjoy,
Bob

While I haven't had opportunity to experience really high priced PC's, I would agree in principle that paying alot (over $800 or so?) is probably not money well spent.  Like anything else in audio, the point of diminishing returns sets in at some point.  The old saying "wire is wire" is not totally valid, but there are only so many variations you can use, and so many construction approaches you can take, none of which, IMHO, can justify a PC that costs what some do.  They make a difference...a big difference in my experience.  But once you start spending 4 digits on an upgrade, you might be better served looking at some other aspect of your system than PC's.

[PhilNYC]

As such I haven't worried about why a power cord can have a positive effect on my system.
I use them and have kept my investment in them within what I deem to be reasonable and prudent limits. While a crap stock power cord can limit the performance of a well designed component a hyper-expensive power-cord is a poor substitute for a better sounding piece of gear.
Scotty 

I think the question raised here is "what is reasonable and prudent"?  For some people, spending more than $50 on a power cord is ridiculous.  For others, $5000 is pocket change.

My opinion is that power cords do make a difference, but that price is not the determining criteria for quality.

[Bigfish]

There must be some explanation as to why fancy replacement AC cables are used. I don't understand why since Romex electrical cable goes from the breaker panel to the ac outlet. What difference would a few feet of fancy three conductor wire make? I'm not being a wise guy, I just would like to know what the technical reasons are and how it would affect the audio.

Thanks,
Ron

I went back and read Ron's original post (above) and now I would like to read a discussion concerning the following issues.  There are lots of us that believe aftermarket PCs made a difference and this being the case it would certainly support dedicated lines/outlets.  There are numerous posts about types of dedicated outlets but not much on the type of wire to use from the panel box to the outlet(s).  If we are going to discuss the value of expensive aftermarket PCs don't we also need to address the size/type of wire from the panel box as well as the type of outlets?  To take a $500.00 PC and stick it into a standard builder grade ($1.00) outlet would not seem to make a lot of sense, at least to me.  

Thus, what type/size wire do run from your panel box?  Due you have a dedicated sub panel and what type of outlets are you using?

Thanks,

Ken