Do powercords make a difference in sound?

Liguy, with respect, the Home Depot cords are horrid. I happen to have made some for myself years ago when I was first experimenting with comparisons of power cords. I thought I was genius to get "top quality" sound on the cheap. But when I compared the Home Depot Home made to even approx. $100 power cords by the likes of Audioquest or Wireworld the H.D. cord sucked - that is sucked the life right out of the music. I couldn't stand to use them and got rid of them quickly. It was a waste of time and money, except for the fact that it reinforced the point that the cable manufacturers know what they're doing and the typical DIY guy does not.

Since I cannot prove otherwise, it may be that on your rig alone, given you have "hyper-power supplies" you designed, there may not be a difference in sound between power cords. OTOH, you suggest that some manufacturers of high end audio gear are getting it right. What if those amps also exhibited sonic differences with various power cords? Then where would you go in your argument?

I will say this, having worked with some of the finest audio equipment available, some with dedicated, optimized power supplies such as with the VAC Signature Preamplifier MkII (reviewed for Dagogo.com), not a one, not a single component I have ever come across has been impervious to power cord idiosyncrasies. I simply do not accept that when the dielectric, total gauge, conductor material etc. is changed on a cable the net result is nil sonically. I have used too many cables and too many components to concede that.

Liguy, you're a nice asset to this discussion and our little group here. I wish you could make a visit and we could test out some of our theories. I would find it fascinating to hear your rig and the power supplies you have made.

Dave (Corazon), the answer to your question is that manufacturers do not want to paint themselves into a corner with cables. If they don't believe in aftermarket power cords they're not going to promote them. If they do find them useful, they're not going to get in bed with one cord manufacturer or else they cut their fan base. Further, they may know that a particular cord renders a specific sound with their gear and it may not appeal to all listeners with all systems. Better to let the masses figure it out on their own.

there are many discussions on thie forum categorized by component type. people ask for advice.

however it has been shown in the psychology and sociology journals, that people vary in their suceptibility to be influenced by others.

riesmann coined the terms "inner directed" and "other directed".

i suspect that inner directed audiophiles will do what they want regardless of what others say, while other directed audiophiles arem more easily influenced by the comments they read and will buy based upon reccomendations.

some people ask a question for the sake of eliciting opinions and creating a discussion or debate, but have no intention of acting on any suggestions they read. what a waste of time to do that.

so, a question to ask is are you other directed or inner directed ? this question could be a theme and may be one soon.

Another thought strikes me; is it possible, Liguy, that you have been comparing/using power cords which are somewhat similar in characteristics? i.e. Aftermarket 14 total gauge with stranded conductors, vs. your 12 total Ga. with stranded conductors?

The reason I ask is that if the power cords you have been comparing have similar characteristics, then it is very likely that you would have a difficult time hearing differences between them. I can see a situation in which you replaced a stock power cord with a Home Depot DIY and found little difference. However, I would submit that this is not the best test of power cords, and that there are many more options available. i.e. A PC with 9 or 10 tot. Ga., or one with silver OFC conductors, etc. You would perhaps find it interesting to try a Wireworld lower end PC with silver coated prongs on the plug.

Maybe you have compared a wide variety of PCs but if not, then this is perhaps a legitimate reason why you are not hearing differences! I have conducted comparisons between PCs which sounded very similar and they were in fact similar in construction/design. That may be part of the answer to our disagreement. :)

From Wikipedia:

The high-end audio cable industry markets oxygen-free copper as having enhanced conductivity or other electrical properties that are significantly advantageous to audio signal transmission. However, conductivity specifications for common C11000 Electrolytic-Tough-Pitch (ETP) and higher-cost C10200 Oxygen-Free (OF) coppers are identical.[8] Much more expensive C10100, a highly refined copper with silver impurities removed and oxygen reduced to 0.0005%, has only a one percent increase in conductivity rating, insignificant in audio applications.[8] OFC is nevertheless valued by audiophiles for both audio and video signals in audio playback systems and home cinema.

Doug: I can't help but notice you've name-dropped Wireworld cords a couple of times. One of the cords that I tried and got rid of the quickest was their Silver Electra III+ (or some such). Didn't dig it on anything, despite its maybe having been the most expensive cord to pass through here. OTOH, a local Agonner of my acquaintance once bought one of my preferred cords based on my liking it, but didn't feel the same and wound up selling it to me! So I think IMO & YMMV are clearly the watchwords here...