Power cords at ridiculous prices?


Seems to me there's no shortage of "black magic" out there, people spending $1000 on power cords? If the equipment you own is well designed with hefty power supplies and adequate capacitive filtering on-board, the grunge from the AC lines will be dealt with. I'm not discounting upgrading stock cords with something of a little better quality, but it seems to me spending the equivalent of a mortgage payment, on a piece of wire, makes us audiophiles the subject of ridicule by any reasonable person. Okay, I'll stand back now and take my lumps....
jeffloistarca
The ratio of the price of my power cord to price of my amp is 8%. It was definitely worth it. I also have the peace of mind knowing that there is not a weak link in the chain, and that is more than worth it.
Although I have no doubt that changing power cords can effect, both positively or negatively, sound quality, I do not use specialty cords. The power cord is only the final element of electric power delivery and it should only be upgraded after the other elements have been addressed. Power line regenerators, dedicated power lines and even replacing and upgrading the main power line to your house are upgrades that should be completed before spending major money on power cords. The power cord is not an active device and it cannot improve the quality of the electricity going into it. A LOW COST TIP: go to an art supply house and in the stain glass section there should be copper foil tape ($5 to $10). Wrap the tape around your power cord. The copper will provide an added layer of electro-magnetic sheilding. I can't honestly say that I "heard" a difference, but it's a fun project. Give it a try, see if it works.
Thanks for the tip ONHWY61. I guess I could even pretty it up after that by using some shrink wrap around the foil tape or at least some type of cover. Hmmm maybe some braided steel would look cool.
If you really want to add extra shielding to a cable, 3M actually makes a mesh shielding to go over cables.
I disagree. A quality power cord is still going to yield an improvement that is worth its price, without "upgrading" all the lines upstream from it. Mine has.