[es347]

Thought you all may get a kick out of this recent post on the Stereophile forum.  It's one of their regulars, a self-proclaimed OJT expert apparently, who helps us understand the whole exotic power cord controversy and how it relates to power distribution....OH MY!

When it comes to power cords I'm a middle of the road guy.  In my mind they do make a difference but spending as much on the power cord as you did on the component is just plain silly.  A great way to try them would be cheaply would be to look for sales on older model PS audio cords or check out HCM's deal on the old audioquest AC-15's (http://hcmaudio.com/comp.asp?compID=1231)  Below is something that I've posted in the past that might make the whole "power cord thing" make more sense.

The main argument against power cords being able to create audible difference is that the power cord is NOT in the signal path, this is false. An amplifier, for example simply modulates the power coming out of the wall to produce a larger version of the signal that it receives as an input. Hence the power supply is in the signal path. Hence, in my opinion the power cord IS in the signal path in a very real sense.

Interestingly this theory of mine was helped to form by McIntosh labs who believes that their power supplies are in the signal path and are major contributors to that "MAC sound." What's ironic is that McIntosh doesn't believe in high end speaker cables or interconnects, let alone power cords. Mac has been very public about this belief. Only recently at trade shows did they start using better interconnects and speaker cable, just to "shut people up." The IEC socket of a removable power cord does compromise the connection slightly but allows for much better power cables to be used, a slight step backwards for the possibility of a couple of major steps forwards. But the same cord soldered directly to the power supply versus being removable and connected to an IEC socket would be the best solution.

Other arguments brought against power cords have to do with the fact that the last 6 feet can’t make up for 50 miles of low quality wire between the utility company and our homes. Again, this simply doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny.  It isn’t the last six feet, it’s the first six feet.. The power company doesn’t push power to us, we pull power from the electrical company.  Now that might sound like a semantic argument of little importance, but keep reading and you’ll soon see why it’s an important distinction.  The "all the way back to the power station" statements that are often made as an arguments against the possibility of power cords have an audible effect are based on a faulty understanding of how a power grid operates.  In the US, the "pole pig" transformer which is close to our homes steps down the voltage from 10,000 Volts to 120 Volts for each half of its center-tapped secondary. This means that the turns ratio (primary/secondary) is 10,000/120 = 83.33. Now, the impedance that the pole pig "sees" looking back toward the power station from its primary is divided by the square of this turns ratio at the secondary of the pole pig. So there is an impedance step-down of a factor of 6944 affected by the pole pig. Of course, some impedance from the transformer itself is added back in, along with impedance of the wiring from the transformer to the home service.  So there's a big impedance step-down occurring here that gets you almost back to an ideal voltage source at the output of the pole pig.  In short,  the power that is running long distances is different from what we find in our homes, and more immune to interference.  In the walls of our homes the electricity is shielded from stray EMI interference by the conduit through which it is running. So the point that it is most vulnerable to these problems is from the outlet to our components.

Aftermarket power cords differ in a number of ways from stock units

-They are a thicker gauge wire than stock units. All things being equal, the thicker the gauge the more efficiently large amounts of current can be delivered to the component. This higher current capability leads to more controlled, more extended bass. Not to mention better dynamics.

-They have better shielding which helps reject EMI interference. This creates blacker background from which the music emerges. Improving the perception of low level detail. This is not new musical information but information that had previously been obscured. The amplifier is also freed from having to amplify the high frequency hash which gives the system a greater sense of ease.

-The plugs make better physical contact. When dealing with electricity poor physical contact between outlets and the blades of the plug causes heat and when dealing with electricity heat equals resistance. This resistance again slows down current delivery, thus affecting dynamics.

[Delacroix]

And along similar lines, here's PS Audio's take on the first/last line of connection:

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/knowledge/how-can-a-power-cord-attached-to-home-wiring-make-a-difference/

and if you really want to get further into power cord diffs, try the University of Toronto study on a Virtual Dynamics cable, here's the abstract and link to the report:

http://www.virtualdynamics.ca/the-power-one

[JackD201]

While I do use pricey power cords I will be the first to admit that at least in my system they contribute the least to my overall satisfaction.

For those that refuse to believe that power cords make a difference however I offer this simple personal anecdote:

Once upon a time when using a Levinson No.332 to drive my then speakers a Revel F30 I couldn't find the supplied IEC chord. In it's place I used an off the shelf Power cord that looked equally robust meant for use in a Computer Tower. The amp would shut down every time the music got exciting. I sent the amp to the shop and they found nothing wrong with it they didn't even charge me for the check up. Upon returning it back on it's amp stand I spied another power cord I had built at another shop but had forgotten about. I swapped cords and the amp functioned perfectly. As it turned out the PC powercord while just as chubby had a much smaller gauge but a whole lot more insulation. I came to the obvious conclusion that YES power cords DO matter. So much so that the difference is not night and day but actually ON or OFF.

Now while we can debate whether power cords sound different given equal gauge until we are all blue in the face, I firmly believe that power cords can and do make a difference. Now whether that difference is even audible and if it is, whether the price paid is commensurate to some targetted sonic benefit, I think I'd leave that squarely to the system's owner.

[ceedee]

VR 11 SE in front, VR 5 SE in rear and Visiun Sig. in the middle.

Result: incredible

What will happen when someone decided to setup the VR 11 SE in a Home Theatre configuration together with the VR 5 SE as rear speaker and the Visiun Signature as a center speaker? Well, I can tell you because I was there.

As a sound & recording engineer for many years now working with Albert’s Virtual Reality speakers I thought I had seen and heard almost everything. But the setup and installation of this extraordinary system was a privilege and a very nice happening I will never forget. When I came into the room it looked already very nice to see how the VR 11 SE “fits normal” in this room. Large, width and high. The room was designed and build for this system. First of all I had to listen to the system and indentify the phase problems. After switching several power plugs, there was already a nice balance and the system was more ‘quite’ then before.
I brought my analog Stella-Vox calibration-equipment to measure the frequencies to be flat.
The VR 11 SE has several adjustment points to make a very fine flat curve. Now the system starts to make music. After a few hours the system was ready to calibrate and communicate with the other speakers. The Denon 11 channel pre-amp ‘calculated’ the roots to all the speakers and we could start with a movie. We used the Walt Disney animation  film ‘Cars’. Although this is a ‘cartoon’ the film came alive due to the extreme realistic sound, with compliments to the sound engineers who edited this soundtrack. The movie became breath taken and sometimes scary because of the natural reactions you can recognize from the reality.

After the adjustment of the Denon-Audessey program there was time to play some Blu-Ray music discs. The new Montreux series and specially the new remaster of Queen came to live again. I was there in the ‘70s and easily all my memories came back again. How fantastic can this VR 11 SE system let you ‘travel back in history’ believing you are there as one in the audience. Lot of Goosebumps. After a few glasses of wine and more Blu-Ray discs there was time to rest and give the system also time to break in with the new parameters during the night.  Next day the system was still more ‘quite‘ and now it was time to setup the Oracle record player and let the analog music fill the room. Subtle and very musical. Fine dynamics and micro detail are there to let you believe the music is played right in front of you. Never heard a system let this happen before. Next test was to see how a great organ with the 16 and 32 foot registration would act in this situation. The big sound of this organ did the four build in powered subs control the room without disturbing the glasses in the furniture. Even the big Chinese drums fit into this room and came alive like they do in the real world.

It is not only a tale the speakers of Albert von Schweikert should be probably the most musical and realistic speakers. I can tell you, they are.

The one who decides to purchase the VR 11 SE becomes a very happy person.

Have fun and enjoy the music.

Cor Dekker, Installation Manager for all VR 11 SE , VR 9 SE in Europe delivered.
Musical Reality:  VSA distributor for Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg
www.musicalreality.nl
info@musicalreality.nl

[JackD201]

Wow Cor that's great!!!!

In about 4 months Keith and I will be setting up a similar music only system but for 4.1 channel surround comprised of a pair of VR-11 SEs upfront (The actual pair featured on the website that is now parked safely in our warehouse) and the owner's current pair of VR-9 SEs as well as a VR-S/9 subwoofer. The source will be a an Emmlabs transport, DAC 6 and switchman. The music building currently undergoing construction, yes it is a separate structure built in the adjacent lot will have a listening space 7.5m by 11m with a 4m ceiling height. Calibration will be done by myself (also a former rec engineer) and Mike Pedero our local AES chapter's Vice President and the room's lead acoustician.

Our client opted to keep his AV system separate which consists of VR-4SR Mk2s a Visiun Center, 4 Revel in Ceiling speakers, Lexicon processor and UDP and JRDG 501 monoblocks.

I hope your client can allow you to post pictures of that awesome system!

All the best!

Jack

[es347]

While I do use pricey power cords I will be the first to admit that at least in my system they contribute the least to my overall satisfaction.

For those that refuse to believe that power cords make a difference however I offer this simple personal anecdote:

Once upon a time when using a Levinson No.332 to drive my then speakers a Revel F30 I couldn't find the supplied IEC chord. In it's place I used an off the shelf Power cord that looked equally robust meant for use in a Computer Tower. The amp would shut down every time the music got exciting. I sent the amp to the shop and they found nothing wrong with it they didn't even charge me for the check up. Upon returning it back on it's amp stand I spied another power cord I had built at another shop but had forgotten about. I swapped cords and the amp functioned perfectly. As it turned out the PC powercord while just as chubby had a much smaller gauge but a whole lot more insulation. I came to the obvious conclusion that YES power cords DO matter. So much so that the difference is not night and day but actually ON or OFF.

Now while we can debate whether power cords sound different given equal gauge until we are all blue in the face, I firmly believe that power cords can and do make a difference. Now whether that difference is even audible and if it is, whether the price paid is commensurate to some targetted sonic benefit, I think I'd leave that squarely to the system's owner.

Hey Jack,

My post wasn't so much meant to resurrect the exotic power cord debate as to pass along the logic or lack thereof that some believers use to defend their position.  The guy that posted the above dissertation lectured me on power distribution.  I'll admit to being a little miffed because of my background and it's totally unfair to state his misinformation as fact to be consumed by the uninitiated.  You raise a good point: it's like ones and zeros...you either have voltage or you don't.  It's logical to use a PC that is the same gauge as the house wiring but anything beyond that doesn't make sense, at least to me.  Nor does shielding since we have all that romex plus miles of utility distribution with all the interference nasties out there.  Playing with that last 5 or 6 feet can't have much of an effect if any.  Those big ole PCs do look as if they should sound better and in some cases, that's all it takes.  Anyhow lots of folks swear they hear a difference so more "power" to them.  I have swapped several PCs and haven't heard a difference but then I am old and so are these ears.   

Man, to think folks are putting together HTs using the 11se's as fronts and the 5 anniversaries for surround is beyond my comprehension.  Here I am doing critical listening with my VR4 SR MkIIs and feeling quite smug about it.  It blows the mind.   

Here's wishing you a Happy and prosperous New Year.

Gavin

[es347]

And along similar lines, here's PS Audio's take on the first/last line of connection:

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/knowledge/how-can-a-power-cord-attached-to-home-wiring-make-a-difference/

and if you really want to get further into power cord diffs, try the University of Toronto study on a Virtual Dynamics cable, here's the abstract and link to the report:

http://www.virtualdynamics.ca/the-power-one

Hello delacroix.  Here's an interesting article which I had seen before and bookmarked.  It deals with a Virtual Dynamics PC and is something their customers should see and read.  Their cables have nothing internally that should alter sound in any fashion and certainly should not cost what they charge.  If you are a Virtual Dynamics user I apologize up front.  My goal is not to flame, only to expose things.  Thanks for your earlier post.

http://www.audiojunkies.com/blog/1197/virtual-dynamics-power-3-2000-profit-margin

[Delacroix]

Interesting, thanks Gavin. The unfortunate part of the linked article is that apart from complaining about the quality of the parts in the cable, I don't think the writer ever listened to it! If quality of audio is reducible only to the parts used in the equipment then I guess I've really been barking up the wrong tree in my auditioning.  I know Rick, the head guy at VD, has videos of his own where he cuts open lots of cables, including his own, to reveal their innards. See this for example:

http://www.virtualdynamics.ca/dynamic-filtering-video

I realize we are walking down a path toward power cord discussions, which seem to be alive and well on other parts of AC,  but if it helps keep this VSA-relevant, I'll add that my VR5's let me hear most changes I make in my system, and not all power cords I've tried made much difference, but some did.

Delacroix

[es347]

So much for controversy here on the VSA board.  I watch Fox news for that. 

[JackD201]

No sweat Gavin, I know it wasn't your intent