After Market Power Cords

Bigfish · « **on:** 29 Dec 2008, 04:28 pm »

I use after market power cords in my system and I am purely interested in knowing a percentage of other owners that do so? This is not intended to start another one of those threads of prove the justification for use of after market power cords. If it evolves into that I hope the facilitator will send this to the waste bin.

Thanks,

Ken

Occam · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 05:40 pm »

In hindsight you might have qualified the poll with 'Do you use aftermarket cords with your components that allow easy swapping of cords, i.e. components that have IEC sockets?'

I suspect that some of the 'no' responses are from those with components that have captive cords.

FWIW,
Paul

martyo · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 05:58 pm »

Quote

I suspect that some of the 'no' responses are from those with components that have captive cords.

That is what my "no" response is. What am I missing?

WGH · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 06:06 pm »

All my cords are captive too.

Wayne

Bigfish · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:01 pm »

Thank you for the responses so far guys, keep em coming!

Ken

satfrat · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:26 pm »

Aftermarket power cords have done my system good. As it stand now only my ACI Force XL sub has a captive power cord, at some point I will convert it using to an IEC terminal like I've done to a few other components. AFAIC using a shielded power cord in a sea of electromagnetic interference is a no-brainer.

Cheers,
Robin

Wayner · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:38 pm »

I'll assume that you've put IEC outlets on your TV's, coffee maker, microwave and electric shaver. Think of how better they will perform with a higher gauge, shielded cord.

It's really funny here. We have 2 camps. Camp 1 has horrible AC and must have a line conditioner to make the AC bearable. Camp 2 must love the AC and completely shields it. You guys are all genius.

evan1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:40 pm »

I believe Paul (Occam) has

topround · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:41 pm »

Wayne,
Have you never heard a difference, positive or negative from different power cords?

satfrat · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 10:53 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 29 Dec 2008, 10:38 pm

I'll assume that you've put IEC outlets on your TV's, coffee maker, microwave and electric shaver. Think of how better they will perform with a higher gauge, shielded cord.

It's really funny here. We have 2 camps. Camp 1 has horrible AC and must have a line conditioner to make the AC bearable. Camp 2 must love the AC and completely shields it. You guys are all genius.

In fact I did install an IEC terminal on my Sony HD CRT and it was actually seeing the results from that install that modivated me to do a Yamaha receiver and a CDP. Thanks for asking.

Cheers,
Robin

electricbear · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 11:03 pm »

I typically use aftermarket power cords. Some cords work well with certain types of equipment and some don't work as well but I've always heard a difference. I've not always liked the difference and have chosen to use a differenty cord as a result.
It's very hit and miss as to what works.

Wayner · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 11:14 pm »

I work in a highly technical industry that deals with all kinds of signal. I know that there are infections from AC into delicate analog devices. The company I work for manufacturers about 50 percent of the worlds suspensions (reader head for the hard drive) for the hard disc drive manufacturers. However, there are other things at work here that I can't talk about. There are some silly notions (IMHO) that no-one has answered yet. How do you explain the wonderful power cord when it reaches the unshielded IEC socket? After the socket entry, there is no shielding. All is exposed to the internals of the device. The shielded cable offered no defense and the IEC socket let all of the interference in. No one at the gate.

Now if you want to talk about a power cord affecting poorly shielded audio cables, that might be a differrent story. And that is what some of you may be experiencing. However, I've been running vinyl for a long time, running micro-volt cables criss-cross with 120 volt cables and have heard zero bad effects from this. I have heard bad things from a wall wart or other transformer or motor type devices.

Wayner

topround · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Dec 2008, 11:32 pm »

All I ask is explain WHY we hear the differences we do.

I have no clue, nor do I have the inclination to try to understand, but I do hear power cords make a difference, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. There is no dogma here, it is a sonic difference that can be heard, whether the 0's and 1's on your oscilloscope show it, it exists.
Perhaps some sort of filtering is going on. Unfortunately the high end business has taken advantage of this and has been overcharging for this "filtering" , hence many of us would rather not believe than pay the high prices for the good stuff. Those expensive, over priced pieces of audio jewelry piss most of us off, but then again impress so many. Like having to drive a S65 to impress the neighbors.
How many people own Wilsons because it is impressive? C'mon how come there are so many Wilsons in CA?

I like wine. There is a reason the 50, 100 and 200 dollar bottles taste better, and it has nothing to do with the cost of making the wine but rather the market.
If LaTour started making shitty wine, there would be a lot less people willing to pay the high prices for it.
But because it is good, people will pay what the market will bear, and in this market, I am sure those prices will drop, for wine and high end cables.

warnerwh · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 12:54 am »

I keep finding it interesting that so many people argue that they can or cannot hear the difference between cables and if a difference even exists.

Tried expensive cables and hear zero difference but it took me awhile to be honest with myself.

satfrat · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 01:08 am »

Quote from: warnerwh on 30 Dec 2008, 12:54 am

I keep finding it interesting that so many people argue that they can or cannot hear the difference between cables and if a difference even exists. Tried expensive cables and hear zero difference but it took me awhile to be honest with myself.

It's now 5 to 1 against your zero difference statement unfortunately so,,,,,,

rodge827 · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 01:42 am »

Gents,

I would like to chime in here about my power cord learning curve. Many years ago I read a review about the Synergistic Research Master Coupler. At the time I thought who in there right mind would spend close to $300.00 on a power cord ? That's insanity !!! Well a few years later, yours truly ( suffering from an audio nervosa attack) and probably a little, well OK allot of wine, plunked down some hard earned cash on Agon and was the proud owner of two S R M C 's. Well it didn't take long before they were replaced by two BMI Whale Elite's, then those were replaced by two BMI Whale Supreme ! (See where I'm going with this ?)
Then I began to realize that no power cord would fix the crappy power that was coming into my house. Well many conditioners later has brought me to my "current" ( get the pun) power structure for my audio system and well the whole house too.

Recently I purchased and installed an Environmental Potentials Waveform Correction Absorber (EP 2050) and Ground Filter (EP2750) directly on the panel box. Wow!!! is all I can say. It took about a week for the ground filter to do its stuff, but dead silence and Hot Dang dynamics are singing from my system now. I don't know how these things work all I know is they just do !!

The power cords that I'm using now are $12.00 Volex cords that I got from Austin Hifi, and my system has never sounded better.

Fix the power at the box and you won't need a crazy expensive power cord.

EP has a variety of different products for all power applications. Call Doug Joseph at EP, he is a great guy and can set you up with your own unique needs.

Chris

http://www.ep2000.com/

http://www.austinhifi.com/navigation%20page.html

satfrat · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 02:15 am »

Quote from: rodge827 on 30 Dec 2008, 01:42 am

Gents,

I would like to chime in here about my power cord learning curve. Many years ago I read a review about the Synergistic Research Master Coupler. At the time I thought who in there right mind would spend close to $300.00 on a power cord ? That's insanity !!! Well a few years later, yours truly ( suffering from an audio nervosa attack) and probably a little, well OK allot of wine, plunked down some hard earned cash on Agon and was the proud owner of two S R M C 's. Well it didn't take long before they were replaced by two BMI Whale Elite's, then those were replaced by two BMI Whale Supreme ! (See where I'm going with this ?)
Then I began to realize that no power cord would fix the crappy power that was coming into my house. Well many conditioners later has brought me to my "current" ( get the pun) power structure for my audio system and well the whole house too.

Recently I purchased and installed an Environmental Potentials Waveform Correction Absorber (EP 2050) and Ground Filter (EP2750) directly on the panel box. Wow!!! is all I can say. It took about a week for the ground filter to do its stuff, but dead silence and Hot Dang dynamics are singing from my system now. I don't know how these things work all I know is they just do !!

The power cords that I'm using now are $12.00 Volex cords that I got from Austin Hifi, and my system has never sounded better.

Fix the power at the box and you won't need a crazy expensive power cord.

EP has a variety of different products for all power applications. Call Doug Joseph at EP, he is a great guy and can set you up with your own unique needs.

Chris

http://www.ep2000.com/

http://www.austinhifi.com/navigation%20page.html

I've always wondered about using the Environmental Potentials Waveform Correction Absorber (EP 2050) at the breaker box, ever since I first discovered that Chris Hoff of BPT was using this in his balanced power conditioners. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, this sure would make for a good thread topic in it's own right. (hint)

Cheers,
Robin

BobM · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 02:22 am »

some of my observations over time with many different comparisons and many different products ...

(1) Yes, power conditioning makes a difference where the power isn't pure (and where is it ever).
(2) There are many different types of power conditioning, and not all work everywhere
(3) Sometimes cascading conditioners of different types make a discernable improvement (most noticeably on digital sources IMO)
(4) Power cords do change tonality. I can postulate a few theories, but damn if I really know why.
(5) Cords that work well on a SS amp may not work equally as well on a source component, or a preamp, or on tubes.
(6) Cables do break in, so don't judge a cord when you first put it into your system. Give it 2 days of continual burn in (some take longer).

Enjoy,
Bob

JohnR · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 02:39 am »

Does DIY count as "after market"?

Quote from: satfrat on 30 Dec 2008, 01:08 am

Quote from: warnerwh on 30 Dec 2008, 12:54 am
I keep finding it interesting that so many people argue that they can or cannot hear the difference between cables and if a difference even exists. Tried expensive cables and hear zero difference but it took me awhile to be honest with myself.

It's now 5 to 1 against your zero difference statement unfortunately so,,,,,,

Actually, the poll is whether you use them, not whether you hear a difference...

rodge827 · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Dec 2008, 02:42 am »

Robin,

I thought about doing a thread about the EP stuff, but my technical knowledge about such things is very limited. EP does offer a return with stocking fee on their products so I thought what the heck give them a try, and I'm glad that I did.

The residential power market is just a small part of what they do. The main focus is on large industrial plants.

Check out the web site and call Doug, he will set you up.

Chris

Poll

Do you own and use after market power cords?

After Market Power Cords