Good power cord vs Killer power cord?

02-24-06: Warrenh
...wouldn't the cord from the outlet to the conditioner, merely be an extension of the wiring in the wall. Now the electric goes into the power conditioner to be purified, etc. then must travel with the finest sonic path available to the source? Therefore the best cord from conditioner to source?

That's my thinking, and this method has been recommended by more than one manufacturer. On the other hand, as Audphile1 said, Shunyata recommends the other approach.

All this clearly echoes William Goldman's words in "Adventures in the Screen Trade" when he wrote, "Nobody knows anything".

Nothing could be more true, no matter how far up the food chain.

Use your tympanics, Warren.

I emailed Jerry, asking him the same question. Thinking about synergy: I wonder, since I'm an Audio Magic power conditioner guy, if going with his power cords and ICs, as well, would be synergistic perfection, not only in name, but sound? I wonder....

Hi Warren I use a Virtual Dynamics Nite connecting my dedicated line to an Audio Magic Stealth XXX (the "lowest impedance" cable choice should be used there) which is a very heavy gauge cord having a high current capability.
Then I have my 'killer' (Synergistics' Designer Reference^2 cords) connecting the Stealth's outputs to their respective components. That approach seems to agree with the majority opinion of previous posters above FWIW. However I have never tried an alternate configuration due to cable length limitations, so I can't tell you how that would sound although I do expect that would not work as well.
The AC cable which came along with this Stealth XXX (an Audio Magic Illusion 4D) is "just not that great a cord" (per the sellers' advice) so I haven't even tested with it. Also realize that these A.M. line conditioners typically require quite a long breakin time; therefor any initial conclusions that you reach regarding testing may not be the 'final word' once these things are fully broken in. Hope this helps...

From past experiences with the AM line, break in is very very long. This time AM is doing the full break in for me. I would try to speed things up using a space heater. High current, high amperage pull. A few hundred hours gets the job done, well. Bob, do I really need to be concerned with the "lowest impedance" since I'm only using my AM Digital for my source? Obviously, as you guys have stated; listening is the test, but on paper it would appear we are all in general agreement: cheap to outlet--$$ to source, unless our tympanics tell us differently. I suppose it has always been this way. I'm good to go. thanks for your help.

Warrenh,
My experience is to go with the killer cord directly from the outlet to the conditioner, and the good cord from the conditioner to the CDP. Of course you should experiment to see what you prefer. One great way to do that is to purchase an adapter from VooDoo Audio (15 to 20 amp adapter). It works great and doesn’t degrade sound. Its cryo’d however it takes a short break in time. I own one, love it, and highly recommend it.
BTW, I have experimented with your question using my Hydra II and Original Hydra. I really like my Harmonix from the wall to the conditioner because it seems to boost everything coming out of the conditioner.
Best regards,