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the magic of power cords

We need a bit of magic in our lives. It might be the reason why audiophilia has such traction among people from all walks of life.

The neophyte's skepticism is likely proportional to the level of technical training - the more you think you know, the stronger the conviction that, for example, the power cable business is a sham: "electrons are electrons" and "if the house cabling is bad, why would the last 3 feet matter?". The stronger the conviction, the more humbling the experience of hearing the power cord magic in action.

A few years back a Sophia Electric amp came into my hands with what looked like a generic power cord. The few non-generic cords I tried (Audioquest AC15, Audio Magic XSteam, Shunyata Research Diamondback) made a significant difference for the worse. The thin, black, generic-looking original cable allowed for a clarity and definition of voice and instruments that got totally washed out with the aftermarket cables. A night-and-day difference. No doubt - the power cord made a huge difference - but not in the expected direction. The Audioquest AC15 was particularly bad.

For awhile, I kept trying them around on all incoming equipment (be it DACs, preamps or amps). The AC15 sounded so bad every time that after awhile I wasn't even trying it out.

Many years and few amps later - something seemed not quite right with the presentation of my KAV-300i: slightly dull upper bass. Power cord: Zu Birth. Finally (after multiple interconnects and few speaker cable swaps) I pull out the power cord stash (same as above). This time around the AC15 was the great surprise: it allowed for clarity and macro dynamics well above the others.

What do I learn? Nothing, really. When is shielding important? When is gauge? How about the conductor or the insulation? How come there isn't one "best" design?

The magic continues.
cbozdog
cbozdog OP
63 posts
 
I guess I have another question - it was on my mind for awhile and I don't seem to find a good threat already addressing it... maybe now it is more clear in my mind.

How do you tell which aspect of the system falls short at one given moment (without going through the straight A/B)? Does a shortcoming in PC (blur, boomy bass, etc..) sound different to you than a shortcoming in IC, SC, room etc...? I feel that they should sound differently to the trained, young ear (mine are probably not at their peak anymore in either respect) - and would be happy to learn how to make the right judgement call (or at least a better one).
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
04-07-14: Cbozdog
How do you tell which aspect of the system falls short at one given moment (without going through the straight A/B)? Does a shortcoming in PC (blur, boomy bass, etc..) sound different to you than a shortcoming in IC, SC, room etc...?

I would say that a shortcoming can be difficult to address if you are unfamiliar with the system. That is why it is critical to be familiar with your own system, and only make one change at a time. Change a power cord, and then listen for a few days, are things better, the same, or worse?

The biggest mistake you can make is changing too many things at one time, though most of us have done that. Buy a new amp, some cables and some cords, then insert them all into the system and the sound gets worse....then you have no idea what is doing what and who's making the sound worse. One change at a time helps to alleviate the guessing game.
brownsfan
1,238 posts
 
Dog- Great question! I think the best any of us can do is make an educated guess about the weak link in a system.
My approach is to read the forums carefully for a long time-- year is not uncommon. I look for components that get very strong review from the media and AG members, in particular, those members I have come to know and trust. I also look for clues regarding system synergy. What this does is increase the likelihood that a purchase will result in a system improvement.

As far as PC's, the improvements I have noticed have been with respect to dynamics and cleaning up the upper frequencies. Relief from listener fatigue and sweetening up strings.

Over the last 10 years I've only made 2 purchases that disappointed me. But I am getting to the point where it is probably going to become more difficult to find things that are truly better, not just different.
cbozdog OP
63 posts
 
Jmcgrogan2, if I understand correctly, basically you feel that "no, prior to engaging in swaps, etc.. one cannot tell which component, cable, etc.. is mostly responsible for what shortcoming of the overall sound".

Swap one item at the time, live with it for awhile - this is the only way.

Is this the consensus?
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
04-07-14: Cbozdog
Jmcgrogan2, if I understand correctly, basically you feel that "no, prior to engaging in swaps, etc.. one cannot tell which component, cable, etc.. is mostly responsible for what shortcoming of the overall sound".

I would agree with that. If I walk into a strange room and the sound is good or bad, how would I know which components, cable or cord to credit or blame for the sound?

The logical path is to proceed changing one component at a time and note what we think of the change. However, we do not always proceed in a logical manner in this hobby. ;^)
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