Power Cables: Your Opinion

dane_peterson
dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
edited January 2007 in Electronics
So I just ordered my collection of Signal Cables last week, and I was skimming the site to find any other "necessary" connections. Except for a component cable for my cable box, the only other connection that I would be able to use is a power cable. I've seen several different options with quite varying prices.
My question: If you were to upgrade one power cable, what component would get the upgrade? Are they noticably beneficial?
Post edited by dane_peterson on
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited January 2007
    Amp.

    Yes, power cords are noticeably beneficial. Buy one, hook it up, then listen. If you don't hear a difference, return it. I recommend PS Audio. You can find them starting at $49 NIB.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Porter
    Porter Posts: 34
    edited January 2007
    The absolute best budget cable on the planet is a Volex 17604. It is 14AWG, 3 conductor, and shielded.

    See the thread on AudioCircle here:

    http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=15325.0


    Available from many local sources, searchable on http://volexpowercords.com/distributors/
    or on http://www.volex.com/index.php?option=distribution&task=locator&Itemid=90&lang=en
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  • IanD
    IanD Posts: 59
    edited January 2007
    I received my Signal Cable MacicPower Digital PC this week and plugged it into the Yammy RX-V1500. Right away there was a noticable difference in SQ. Frank told me that it would take about 30-40 hours for the cable to "burn-in" to really appreciate the improved sound. Two weeks ago I replaced the stock PC on my Panasonic plasma with a PS Audio cord and that made a visable diference in PQ.
    Upgraded power cords are a really great, not that expensive tweak.
    Yamaha RX-V1500
    Pioneer Elite DV-46AV
    Scientific Atalana 8300 PVR-HD
    Panasonic TH-42PX60U
    Polk RTi10
    Polk CSi5
    Polk F/Xi3
    Polk PSW 350
    Mike's IC's
    DIY speaker cables (Kimber 4VS Shotgunned)
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited January 2007
    Cool, thanks for the update Ian. That's exactly the kind of experience I was looking for.
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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited January 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    So I just ordered my collection of Signal Cables last week, and I was skimming the site to find any other "necessary" connections. Except for a component cable for my cable box, the only other connection that I would be able to use is a power cable. I've seen several different options with quite varying prices.
    My question: If you were to upgrade one power cable, what component would get the upgrade? Are they noticably beneficial?

    The pre-amp/processor/reciever would come first if you're trying out powercords.:D
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited January 2007
    I'd do your amp, or your sub amps in your towers first.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited January 2007
    I have found little to no gains in upgrading power cables to my intergrated amps. I have noticed improvements when using a different PC on my digital end. The DAC made the biggest difference, followed by the transport. Most makers of power cables will usually tell you the source should be the first area of concern. Most amplifier companies recommend you don't change their PC's at all such as Bryston and Krell. Alot of digital source companies will actually admit better PC's can make a difference.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2007
    Go to this thread on the Steve Hoffman audio board. A guy did a 5 year study of 22 power cords, pretty amazing effort.
    http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=103597
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2007
    Porter wrote:
    The absolute best budget cable on the planet is a Volex 17604. It is 14AWG, 3 conductor, and shielded.

    See the thread on AudioCircle here:

    http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=15325.0


    Available from many local sources, searchable on http://volexpowercords.com/distributors/
    or on http://www.volex.com/index.php?option=distribution&task=locator&Itemid=90&lang=en

    I tested a Volex against a Signal Cable Magic Power cord and a stock cord on my Cambridge Audio CDP and found the Volex was marginally better than stock and no where near the SC. Given the outcome of that head to head test I would recommend to skip the Volex and getsomething better. If $ is an issue save your pennies until you can afford better. Here is my review:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=198032#post198032
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited January 2007
    Great resources... I supposed I could have performed a search.

    But while you guys are helping, IanD mentioned he noticed a PQ improvement on his display with the SCMP cord. Has anyone else noticed this in their experiences?
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited January 2007
    Well I didn't waste any time on this decision. I've got lots of older equipment that definately need PC upgrades and this Volex fits right into my limited budget. I read the reviews, and this is good enough for me. I ordered "30" 17604 cables. Thanks for the heads up on this cables guys, that is why I love this forum so much, the cumulative knowledge here can lead to good things.

    I'm willing to bet that the prices of Volex cables are gonna go UP real soon.

    Joe
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • Porter
    Porter Posts: 34
    edited January 2007
    Joe,

    Yep... it's not a "high end" cable by some standards but it's a world better than most stock cables, and you can't beat the price.
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