Do powercords make a difference in sound?

Liguy, I would like to know which audiophile components you have supplied designs for power supplies. I am assuming, of course, that you refer to designing power supplies for audiophile components. If not, then your entire discussion of the non-necessity of aftermarket cords or their ability to change the sound is invalid.

Now, if you are getting technical on us, and have run tests with various power supplies in said component and not been able to hear a difference, then you may have a point. I have not ripped out and replaced power supplies in components to judge whether solely a PS is effected by the various power cords. However, in absolutely EVERY component I have ever used, with power supplies which the manufacturers I'm sure feel are optimized to the components, the components have been altered sonically via power cords. Besides, it's not very easy to listen to a power supply sans the rest of the electronics; so in the narrow sense your argument is a moot point.

I have, however, conducted tests of actual audiophile power supplies (i.e. filters, power factor correction units, etc.) and found that EVERY single one of them is also influenced by power cords. So, I have serious reservations about your claim that a properly designed PS is not able to be influenced sonically by a variety of power cords.

It's not a matter of operation vs. inoperation, but more like mixed drinks. If I want a rum and coke, do I count the atoms to make sure the mix is ok? There are many "flavors" of Rum and coke. Simliarly, there are "flavors" of power cords, all of which are slightly different in their electrical properties. Sorry, your measurements will not show this. :( You'll just have to trust us on that. I know that can be difficult for a theoretical kind of guy. ;)

Unless, of course, you wish to conduct some simple, not too expensive informal testing, which I think would show you, in say about two to ten seconds, that I'm right. :)

Jeez, people the man has made it perfectly clear that he's stating his opinion, not discounting yours.

Firstly, I am not trying to start a war with anyone. This is my opinion and I hope you respect my opinion and I do respect yours.

My whole premise is that more effort could be put into audio equipment power supplies by the manufacturers to save a comsumer money in not having to spend megabucks on expensive aftermarket power cords.

I have no doubt at all that you all hear differences with different power cords. My thing is that if the power supplies were designed properly the need for fancy power cords would cease to exist provided the power cord could provide the proper current.

After a lot of practical experience, I have come to the conclusion that the effects of the following plague audio reproduction in the respect to the deliverence of AC power to audio equipment:

1.The rejection and reduction of internal radio frequency interference (RFI) and noise already present on the mains line.

2.Immunity to and rejection of additional external RFI, EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) and noise.

3.Low impedance and high current capacity, so as not to current limit any equipment.

Each of these problems could easily be addressed in the power supply of a piece of gear.

I am an engineer by trade and I have designed and built quite a bit of audio equipment including their power supplies as a hobby. My power supplies are always designed to combat the above. I am also somewhat of a diciple of Nelson Pass and his SUSY or X designs and frequent his forum on DIYaudio.

I have listened to a number of high end power cords but have chosen to build my own. I am always a fan of using the best parts I could (wire, and connectors) to build a power cord just the same as using the best components I could when building an amp or premap or my turntable.

I hope I have answered everyones questions. I don't want to write a book here. Again, I do not dispute that people hear differences. I think those differences can be minimized by better power supply design.

Liguy, I sought no war either, and I totally agree that better power supplies can minimize differences, but that is not the real issue. Are there still differences? I hear them even with some very substantial power supplies.

My real question was how do you find a worthy power cord, given your beliefs. You answered that. Thank you.

Thank you for understanding my position. For a while it felt like I was under attack for having a different opinion when in fact I always maintained that power cords do make a difference in systems with poorly designed power supplies.

The sad part is that there are some high end companies that do not put very much thought in power supply design. I wonder how many companies actually use inductors in their power amplifier power supplies or how many use regulated supplies beyond a three terminal regulator in their preamps or build in EMI and RFI filters beyond a capacitor or leave out a filter to keep DC off the input of a power transformer to eliminate transformer hum? It is certainly food for thought on why power cords make a difference or sound different on different equipment.