[reflex]

I replaced some standard outlets in my listening room with off-the-shelf Cooper Hospital Grade outlets from Lowe's.  The biggest improvement was in overall smoothness.  Background was a bit quieter as well.  The arguement for highend PC's is what they do to remove interference near the connected component, RF/EMI.  So, if that arguement is valid, then the farther away you get from the gear the less difference things may make.  I do, though, feel any upgrade you can make in the current delivery system from power feed to the house to component IEC connector is going to make a difference...and it will add be additive.  It's just what part of that chain will make the greatest sonic improvement that might at issue.

[BobM]

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

As I proved to myself (yet again) in my subjective listening session. Money was not the determinig factor for improvement, only the determining factor in affordability. That's not to say that the more expensive cord isn't worth it to the manufacturer, who has to buy the materials, construct them, market them and make a profit. Or that it isn't worth it to someone else where it balances out their system nicely.

Enjoy,
Bob

[TheChairGuy]

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 

Eloquently said, Scotty. I could express my feelings on the subject only less well - so I'll adopt yours 

John

[PhilNYC]

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?

I run 12awg Romex from a dedicated sub-panel to my outlets.  Outlets are stock Pass&Seymour 8300IG (isolated ground) outlets.  Two seperate dedicated lines to my system...one for my amp, the other for everything else.  I also use Audience adeptResponse power conditiones on both lines (aR1p on amp, aR12 on everything else).

[Brown]

Romex is the biggest kept secret in audio. Remember when NBS used Romex for their cords and someone took one apart. all hell broke loose cause the cord was very very expensive. For house wiring and even homemade cords its very good.
   Dedicated lines from a sub panel is the way to go.

brown

[srb]

I don't believe in $500 power cords, but I do believe in good quality shielded power cords.

The Romex that runs through your walls is unshielded, but is not in contact with low level interconnects.  Your component power cords are most likely in contact with multiple line level interconnects and would very likely be injecting noise and hum without a good quality shield.

[some young guy]

I don't believe in $500 power cords, but I do believe in good quality shielded power cords.

The Romex that runs through your walls is unshielded, but is not in contact with low level interconnects.  Your component power cords are most likely in contact with multiple line level interconnects and would very likely be injecting noise and hum without a good quality shield.

Fwiw I run Elrod PCs (about $1400 each) which are unshielded and my own pure silver ICs, which are also unshielded. You can put your ear as close as physically possible to the speakers and hear nothing but black silence from them. I'll only shield cables if completely necessary as I find that my system sounds much more open and relaxed without shielding... YMMV.

[bunky]

I run Signal cable power cords and notice a nice improvement over the stock power cords. they are not super expensive but they are very good cords.thanks....WCW III

[bacobits1]

I also run Signal "Magic" Power Cables throughout my whole system.
They sound great and are rea$onable!!!!!!!!!!!

D

[mcullinan]

I also run the Signal Cords and they have made a great improvement.
Mike

[SET Man]

Romex is the biggest kept secret in audio. Remember when NBS used Romex for their cords and someone took one apart. all hell broke loose cause the cord was very very expensive. For house wiring and even homemade cords its very good.
   Dedicated lines from a sub panel is the way to go.

brown

Hey!

     Man! That's funny! 
 
    You know I've been joking with fellow audiophiles about expensive thick AC cord with fancy jacket. I usually say to them... "Hmmm... I wonder what's inside this thing? Maybe just some power cords from Home Depot!"        

Take care,
Buddy  

[reflex]

Sense Of Humour:  A sense of humour is the ability to experience humour, although the extent to which an individual will find something humorous depends on a host of variables, including geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, intelligence, and context.

Almost as valuable as common sense...since common sense says you should have one...a sense of humour, that is.

[SET Man]

Romex is the biggest kept secret in audio. Remember when NBS used Romex for their cords and someone took one apart. all hell broke loose cause the cord was very very expensive. For house wiring and even homemade cords its very good.
   Dedicated lines from a sub panel is the way to go.

brown

Hey!

     Man! That's funny! 
 
    You know I've been joking with fellow audiophiles about expensive thick AC cord with fancy jacket. I usually say to them... "Hmmm... I wonder what's inside this thing? Maybe just some power cords from Home Depot!"        

Take care,
Buddy  

I hope you weren't having them thoughts a few weeks back when you were holding this cord? You may want to take it up with Wayne Waananen if you were. It's generalized statements like this that makes me regret wasting my time & money trying to be a friend! 

Cheers,
Robin

Hey!

    Robin, I'm sorry that what I've said offended you in anyway.

    And to be honest with you... yes, I did have that thought while holding your AC cord that day. For those who know me for sometime will know that I am honest about things and pretty much say that to everyone... yes I even joking to Chris about his power cord too. Sorry Chris if that also offended you too 

    That is just me. To me you are still my friend and I have to give you a big applause for your time and money for sending that cable to the Rave. Not many of us in NYAR have power cord that cost this much and I (and others) do appreciate the chance of see and hearing your power cord.

    Robin, you know you are welcome to stop by to listen to my system. My system ain't fancy or expensive or have expensive cables and power cord. But this way you might get to know me better. Will you like the sound of my system? Well, maybe yes or maybe it will just sounds like shit to you.

Take care,
Buddy

PS

  I hope that I didn't turn this thread into fist fight now

[SET Man]

Naw,,,, I know you Buddy but I just felt I had to say what I said,...... But as quick as I get wound up, I unwind just as quickly, especially when I know where you're coming from Buddy as a DIY dude. 

Cheers,
Robin

Hey!
 
     Ok, we're cool!

      Yes, that's were I from... a DIYer. And not to mention that I still listen to this...



     .... 106 years old Victor talking machine, no power cord needed!

     So, maybe people should take my comments (or jokes) with a bucket of salt.

     Well, also next time I will remember to use this than . Carry on guys!

Take care,
Buddy

     
     

[some young guy]

Boy, nothing like a little power cord discussion to get everyone all fired-up!   

[lonewolfny42]

A warm fire is good when its cold out....

The best advice I can give....try out different cords in your system....if they work great....if not....at least you tried.

[kbuzz3]

i dont understand the science behind the pc thing myself, but i will relay this story while fooling around with a couple of good but not ultra expensive cords. I want to test the break in theory so i looked around for something to plug into.  While i was checking out the ac to the fridge and other stuff i turned on my kids elcheapo panasonic boom box with a cd.  Put it on the foor in a non audiophile postion.  violated all rule of thirds are other stuff.

for the heck of hit i plugged one of the pcs into the boom box with a cryo iec adaptor. Holy @#$%@$# the sound was so totally different, even on that plastic piece of crap.  Now was it better, cant say on that thing but it was certianly more then a few dbs louder with deeper bass and less hash.

Take that for what you will, but since then im a believer.  I do not however believe in spending crazy bucks on pcs.  Long live signal cable and vh audio....

[goldlizsts]

A warm fire is good when its cold out....

The best advice I can give....try out different cords in your system....if they work great....if not....at least you tried.

Let's take the attitude of "Everyone's entitled to his opinion."  This way, nobody should get tooooooo excited about someone else's feelings or opinions.  I must admit, personally, power cords "DO" contribute to shaping the sound.  That's been perceived personally.  Of course, some people will insist on otherwise.  I do not know how the other person's ears function, what kind of sound he/she perceives, everything else being equal.  Arguing over hi-fi issues can get lethal just like politics.  So, we just should respect the other person's opinion.  That's always been the reason why the NY Rave group is so cool.  We've never had a fist fight!

Shek

[PhilNYC]

That's always been the reason why the NY Rave group is so cool.  We've never had a fist fight!

[Zero]

SOO wrong...    *had a few beers - we was havin' fun...  and you know how one thing leads to another...