[Mitsuman]

I am seriously considering replacing/"upgrading" the power cords on my Mitsu DA-A10DC and DA-A15DC power amps. What say ye as the the possible benefits? I know this is a hot topic regarding newer high-end gear but I haven't seen a lot of discussion with regards to vintage gear. 

[Bill Thomas]

     When someone says, "I'm going to 'upgrade'" something, ask yourself a very pertinent question:  "Why?"  What are you attempting to "improve" or "solve?"  Unless you are "upgrading" to address some "issue," you aren't really "upgrading" because your GEAR demands it, but rather because YOU want to "feel" like you are DOING something.

     "Improvements" that are performed without having a specific GOAL in mind can be useless, or worse, they can be DANGEROUS!  Is there a REASON you feel the need to "upgrade" the power cord?  Is there some interference you are trying to reduce?  Are you experiencing Power Supply Voltage sag due to a too small power cord?  Do you feel that a 3-wire power cord will be "better" or "safer" than a 2-wire cord?

     In MOST cases, attempting to "reinvent the wheel" will prove LESS than satisfactory.  If your system sounds good as is, why make a change that could *potentially* cause an increase in hum and noise, rather than a decrease?

     I'm not suggesting that all "tweaks" are bad, but I AM suggesting that you need to have a specific GOAL in mind other than, "I want to make it BETTER!"  Unless you are making such a chance to address a specific problem or "issue," you are doing it to "stroke YOUR ego," (and make the cable manufacturers richer) rather than attempting to solve a deficiency.

     At the risk of repeating a VERY old phrase, remember:  "If it ain't broke, don't FIX it!"

     Just a few things to think about.

     Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Bill Thomas

[martyo]

Thank you Bill, a nice sane response. 

[Mitsuman]

I put the word upgrade in quotes for that very reason.  No I'm not having any issues, there isn't any physical damage to any of the OEM cords, yes they are 1978 vintage so perhaps new cords would be "safer." My intent is to gain understanding as to why many are convinced that this is necessary, and that I might be considered a Luddite if I don't do it. 

[Bill Thomas]

     Unless you are experiencing some sort of "problem" with your existing Power Cord, my advice is to leave it alone!  Of course, this advice is worth exactly what you have paid for it!  Those who tell you that your system is "compromised" without the latest "gee-whiz, whiz-bang $500.00 Power Cord usually don't have a CLUE what they are talking about.  These are the same folks who will tell you that AC wiring is "directional" in nature.  (It isn't and never HAS been!)

     I don't want to open a can of worms over the merits of different (supposed) "High-End Cables," but you will save a HUGE sum by becoming familiar with the concept of "Good Enough!"

     Let's take a simple, familiar example in the Vintage World.  Often, RCA jacks on "Vintage" electronics are thin, tin-plated stampings folded onto a phenolic insulator.  Cost?  About 6 cents (way back when.)  EVERYONE tells you that you simply MUST "upgrade" to Gold-plated jacks, so you do.  This should help you avoid wearing out the jacks when you change sources, right?  Except for one little problem:  Those gold-plated jacks have a plating thickness measured in molecules.  You can cut right through the plating by inserting an RCA jack ONE TIME!  This takes you down to the base metal of the jack.  Meanwhile, the "stock" unit just works and works and works without a "hint" of trouble - even with the 6 cent jacks!  BELIEVE ME, this happens EVERY DAY!

     I once had to troubleshoot a friend's installation.  He was picking up a TERRIBLE hum that disappeared when his source cables were unplugged.  He paid over $300.00 per meter for these "High-End Interconnects."  They were absolutely and totally unshielded!  The solution cost about 10 bucks at Radio Shack.  He was happy to eliminate the hum, but wasn't TOO happy about the $1200.00 he spent on those "whiz-bang interconnects!"

     I am all in favor of using high-quality ANYTHING!  But make SURE any proposed changes or "upgrades" are actually *necessary!*  (Or desirable!)

     I come from a Broadcast Engineering and Recording Studio background.  If these "whiz-bang" cables are SO important, than how in the WORLD can we be enjoying music that was recorded in the 1950's using 6 cent connectors?  It simply doesn't make ANY sort of sense!

     Look at the specs on a 1953 Ampex Tape recorder.  Compared with the specs on some of today's equipment, there is NO WAY a 1953 Ampex could EVER sound worth a damn!  Tell it to Nat "King" Cole!  Or Sinatra.  Or Leopold!  Or ANY of your favorite recordings from the 50's!

     Don't jump from a bridge just because five people tell you it's fun!  If you can't swim, you AIN'T having fun!  No matter what ANYONE says!

     ANY changes or "upgrades" should be made because they make good *engineering* sense to do so!  Unless you can find some sort of fault with your current power cords, be VERY wary of people who tell you you NEED something costly!

     Quite honestly, the ONLY time I EVER had to replace a power cord that wasn't physically defective (chafed, broken, etc.) was in a high RF environment that allowed RF to enter the amplifier through the power cord.  I replaced the cord with a shielded power cord and the interference went away.  Total cost?  About 15 bucks (including a nice, new Hubbell Plug!).  I think the 6 feet of Belden shielded wire cost around a Dollar a foot.  It was worth every penny!

     Entire INDUSTRIES have sprung up that are built upon "Voodoo Electronics" with VERY little real, actual science to justify their need.  I am not trying to say that ALL cable manufacturers are charlatans, but MANY indeed are!  If your stuff is working well with the current power cords, you don't NEED a high-tech cord!  If you DID need such a cord, the manufacturer would have added it!  (That way he could charge you MORE for his product!)

     Realize that this is just *my* opinion and you WILL get MANY other opinions on this topic.  But anyone who suggests that you need to spend more then $50.00 on a Power cord does NOT have your best interests at heart!  Rather, he is hoping that YOU can confirm that HIS choice wasn't a STUPID one!  Don't fall for it!

Sincerely,

Bill Thomas

[*Scotty*]

I don't think it is necessary in every case. I've owned power amps that did not benefit from a power cord "upgrade". In fact you couldn't hear that you had changed anything at all. I went from a 2 wire  16ga stock "zip cord" with the molded on cord cap to a 9ga. custom star-quad power cord that was hard-wired and heard no difference. I have also heard an improvement in some cases in the bass and treble extension as well as the size of the sound stage from adding a bigger gauge power cord.
It's a crap shoot at best and in your case it looks like there is no easy way to put an IEC power inlet into the back of your power-amp due the restricted space you have to work with. I would leave it alone and look for some where else to make a change or an improvement. There is nothing wrong in being a Luddite in this case.
Scotty

[Mitsuman]

I know what sounds good to me, but I also don't want to be "that guy" who refused to sell his horse and buy one of them "newfangled auto mobiles." 

Thanks for the sanity check gentlemen. I'll spend my money on more vinyl instead.