PC that wont change my amp's personality ?


My amp is a Classe 301. The reason I like Classe is that when used properly , it provides a somewhat tube like sound from solid state. On my digital side I use a VD nite, which works very, very well. Ive tried the Nite on the amp. The benefits are it does turbo charge the amp , and does make it sound somewhat more like a "live" performance. I can understand why some people would like the VD Nite on their amp. The downside is The Classe loses its tube like personality, which was the reason for the Classe purchase in the first place. Budget is approx $400.00 used. Already have dedicated 20amp lines and Wattgate recepticles. Suggestions?
darrylhifi
I can't make a specific recommendation for your amp, but I do have a theory about your situation. As I've written before, I've come to believe - based on my own experiences trying different cords, plus logic and intuition - that while most components can have their performance improved in any number of ways and degrees by aftermarket PC's, they can still exhibit unwanted changes in perceived tonal balance at the same time.

My theory is that this phenomenon has a lot to do with the way components are voiced by their designers: *with the stock power cords fitted* (this is something I'm only presuming, but it makes sense). Therefore, the tonal balance is most likely to be as intended with the stock cord in place.

Replacing the stock cord with an aftermarket cord that is demonstrably 'better' in its design, materials, and construction will often improve many aspects of the sound, but can nevertheless result in unwanted tonal balance changes, simply because the component designer originally voiced the piece of gear to account for the cheap stock cord's intrinsic tonal character. So finding the best aftermarket cord for your component won't necessarily mean finding a cord that will leave *all* components' tonal balances unchanged for the worse - under my theory, such a 'neutral' cord doesn't exist - but will involve finding one which changes the sound in a way that you feel is the best combination with your particular piece of gear.

If I am in any way correct in my thinking, it will somewhat contradict Audioengr's perspective above. His view - certainly not incorrect as far as it goes - that a better cord will simply enable a component to more fully reveal its true response capabilities, doesn't take into account that the component may have been originally voiced to compensate for the stock cord's limitations, which to me could legitimately result in a sub-optimal tonal balance when those limitations are subsequently reduced or removed by upgrading the cord. And that's even if a lot else about the sound unquestionably improves.

So I think there's some reason to believe that even though there are undoubtedly 'better' and 'worse' ways to design and construct replacement PC's in theory, part of the result with any particular component will: #1) always be a crapshoot, #2) may have more to do with the stock cord's idiosyncracies than the replacement cord's, and #3) that this in large part accounts for why there can be a lot of debate over the relative merits of different PC's used in different peoples' systems.

I say this as someone who generally believes that any halfway-decent aftermarket PC worth its salt should at least do a better *overall* job than a typical stock cord, and I also acknowledge that there can still be be a lot of agreement about the 'sounds' of different aftermarket cord models. And of course as with anything else, everyone will also have their own individual preferences, and all systems will have plenty of other built-in biases which can change outcomes. Besides, this whole notion I'm talking about is hardly a novel concept when it comes to speaker cables or interconnects - but it is less likely that component designers will voice gear based on the way it sounds with just one kind of SC or IC, and even less likely that those wires will come packaged in the carton like a stock PC.

Furthermore, I can't discount the possibility that some cord designers deliberately aim to alter tonal balance with their products. Another factor going against my theory is that 'stock' cords are often rather a random item in actual practice, with different kinds being included dependent upon their availability or price. These generics may be similar enough on average to safely ignore the distinction, but if so, then my argument would still break down on the grounds that replacement cord manufacturers would then have a de facto 'standard' cord starting point to work from, and thus shouldn't be making products that diverge much from the stock cords' tonal balance. But, I'm not sure that cord manufacturers necessarily arrive at their designs with that caveat (or my theory) in mind.

I think about this idea every time I read where someone is claiming that XYZ power cord is indisputably 'better' than ABC power cord...what do you guys think? Am I wrong in assuming that component manufacturers aren't using aftermarket cords when voicing their components? Should they? If so, should they include such a good - and 'correct' - cord in the carton? And if that would be too expensive, is the current practice of hit-and-miss aftermarket cord upgrading satisfactory?
If you insist on changing power cords there are two brands that don't add an edge to the sound (IMO).

www.purenote.com/powercords.htm

www.tweakshop.com/T.G.Audio.html
I think Zaikesman has some very good points.. What i did
was find out what the designer of the amp im using is using
for his own system and thats what i bought for mine.
So far its been a great match for me. I figured he pretty
much can use anything he wants and has tried many different
flavors. It also turned out that the cord can be had for
pretty cheap compared to some others. Call the company and see what you can find out?
I like the Audience Power Chord. You can get them for less than $300 here. Also, to add my $.02, in my experience, the PCs have more effect the further upstream you go. Amps seem to be the least affected by PCs, although there can be some changes, usually positive. Usually, I'm fine with leaving a stock 12 gauge power chord in place for the amp.
All very good thoughts. Some manufactures market certain cords for digital, power etc. Virtual Dynamics does not. On my Preamp , the Integra Research RDC-7 , which is of course a digital product, the VD sounds great. Now before I upgraded to the Classe , I had the Big Rotel. I never tried it, but I think I would have liked the VD on the Rotel. But the Classe is a different beast. Its meant to be laid back and sophisticated in its presentation . Thats my issue. I like the above post to get feedback from Classe on this. A very good thought. And maybe, just maybe, all the Classe needs as stated above is a simple 12 gauge design. Thats for the responses.