Power Cable Upgrade

squeeb

Well I have searched around and do not see where (or if) it was previously posted. I am sure there are many opinions out there about power cable upgrades - so let's hear 'em.

I am definitely going to upgrade my sub cable with one from Signal but read where it really helps with the power conditioner - I have an APC H10. The original cord seems pretty stout. But obviously don't know if there would be an improvement with a $59 upgraded power cable.

Thanks - as always your advice is appreciated.

adabro

Not sure what the power cable upgrade would do? If the original works......

fbm211

Here is a good cable for power conditioners.>>http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?powrcabl&1270170169&/Running-Springs-Cardas-Mongoose

John K.

Squeeb, audio equipment manufacturers aren't crazy enough to sabotage their own products by supplying power cords that aren't more than sufficient to carry the required power. The supplied cords can't be "upgraded" in a meaningful sense(as blind listening tests have confirmed) and absurdly priced replacements are one of the sillier rip-offs that the sellers try to foist on us.

selkec

I wouldnt worry about upgrading it unless you want it for looks or for a certain made length. It should not make any difference in sound. YOu may want to try the DIY route. you can make some nice power cables for under $100 and make them the exact length and look you like. As for the apc h-10 I have it also All I did with it was cut off the female end and then slid on some tech flex and then put on a hospital grade plug and tadaa. It looks just like the ones in the pic below also.
here is some that I made.

squeeb

Hey, that's why I posted the question -- the never ending pursuit of sound. Just seeing if any out here has actually upgraded and was impressed or not.

"...Highly Recommended!" Shane Mattson of Soundreproduction.com on Magic Power cords - http://www.soundreproduction.com/reviews/sigcable/review.html


"This (the Magic power cord) has to be one of the greatest bargains in all of audio..." Tom Campbell of Positivefeedback on Magic Power -
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue6/signalcable.htm

F1nut

John K. wrote: »

Squeeb, audio equipment manufacturers aren't crazy enough to sabotage their own products by supplying power cords that aren't more than sufficient to carry the required power. The supplied cords can't be "upgraded" in a meaningful sense(as blind listening tests have confirmed) and absurdly priced replacements are one of the sillier rip-offs that the sellers try to foist on us.

As usual, you couldn't be more wrong. For S&G's, exactly what power cords have you tried?



squeeb, The only way for you to know is to try one or more in your rig with your ears. My personal experience is that yes, they can make a difference.

selkec

How can a 6 foot power cord make a difference when the 100 foot wire inside your house wall is still the same?

fbm211

Have you tried different power cords.?(I used to think the same thing.)They can and do make a difference, or else all those companys making aftermarket power cables would not be making them.

Toolfan66

"Hey" my favorite Reality Series is on, and it's a new episode.

Knucklehead

I bought this power cable for my TV, made a huge difference in the pic, especially in standard def broadcasting.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGAC9

concealer404

selkec wrote: »

How can a 6 foot power cord make a difference when the 100 foot wire inside your house wall is still the same?

How many times is this incredibly stupid question going to be asked on this forum as a thinly disguised "I think you're retarded" statement with no supporting details?

I don't know selkec. Have you personally tried it? You modified your cable, if it doesn't make a difference, then why did you?

Until you've tried upgrading power cords, then you don't get to speak on the subject.

inspiredsports

squeeb wrote: »

Well I have searched around and do not see where (or if) it was previously posted. I am sure there are many opinions out there about power cable upgrades - so let's hear 'em.

I am definitely going to upgrade my sub cable with one from Signal but read where it really helps with the power conditioner - I have an APC H10. The original cord seems pretty stout. But obviously don't know if there would be an improvement with a $59 upgraded power cable.

Thanks - as always your advice is appreciated.

I bought that exact same conditioner from a CP member not quite a year ago and have experimented with 5 or 6 different power cords between it and my PS Audio Power Port Premier outlet.

In my opinion, that 6' cord between outlet and power conditioner makes more difference than upgrading a cord anywhere else in the system in regards to lowering the noise floor audible at the speaker level.
There are also other audible soundstage and imaging benefits.

concealer404

inspiredsports wrote: »

I bought that exact same conditioner from a CP member not quite a year ago and have experimented with 5 or 6 different power cords between it and my PS Audio Power Port Premier outlet.

In my opinion, that 6' cord between outlet and power conditioner makes more difference than upgrading a cord anywhere else in the system in regards to lowering the noise floor audible at the speaker level.
There are also other audible soundstage and imaging benefits.

Which cord did you end up with? I'm running one of these right now, and wouldn't mind tweaking it a bit.

WilliamM2

concealer404 wrote: »

How many times is this incredibly stupid question going to be asked on this forum as a thinly disguised "I think you're retarded" statement with no supporting details?

It will stop when you can actually provide some proof that power cables defy the laws of physics. Could be a nobel in it for you as well.

NJPOLKER

Proof is in the pudding William.

How does it go? Those that know, know and those who don't know, don't know.

I deny the laws of physics all the time and am one happy camper. Especially when I am camped out in front of my system.

concealer404

WilliamM2 wrote: »

It will stop when you can actually provide some proof that power cables defy the laws of physics. Could be a nobel in it for you as well.

I don't give a **** about your physics or what i see on paper.

This is a hobby about what you HEAR. Whether or not it's the placebo effect, or whatever effect or test you want to throw at me, i hear a difference, and that's all that matters. You can't tell me what i hear, just like i can't tell you what you hear. If you want to tell yourself what you HEAR based on what you READ, that's your bag. Not mine.

I installed a new power cable. I heard a difference. There's my proof. I don't have to prove it to you. I have to prove it to me, and i did.

The End.

NJPOLKER

Yeah you tell them I am toooooooooooooo mad :mad::(:o:rolleyes::cool::p;):D:)

concealer404

U mad?

squeeb

If it's $59 I would guess that it is this one:

http://signalcable.com/magicpower.html

Yes, Lasareath - that was the one I am looking at. And I appreciate the feedback on the MIT's. However, I am from the mindset of "walk before run". I figured I would start small (and less expensive) and see if I can hear if there is a difference. Then I can always upgrade again in the future and pass down the SC to another piece of equipment.

adabro

squeeb wrote: »

If it's $59 I would guess that it is this one:

http://signalcable.com/magicpower.html

Yes, Lasareath - that was the one I am looking at. And I appreciate the feedback on the MIT's. However, I am from the mindset of "walk before run". I figured I would start small (and less expensive) and see if I can hear if there is a difference. Then I can always upgrade again in the future and pass down the SC to another piece of equipment.

Please let us know what you hear, I never considered upgrading power cables and would be interested to see if it makes a difference...

Seems to be some very opposite and strong opinions on the subject...

concealer404

adabro wrote: »

Please let us know what you hear, I never considered upgrading power cables and would be interested to see if it makes a difference...

Seems to be some very opposite and strong opinions on the subject...

It's easy:

Do you care about what you hear? Or what you read?

WilliamM2

concealer404 wrote: »

I don't give a **** about your physics or what i see on paper.

They aren't my physics, they apply to everything. And I don't give two **** about your delusions either.

hearingimpared

Right, they are somebody else's physics that you are putting all your belief and faith in. How do you measure a lower noise floor? Don't tell me with an SPL meter either.

concealer404

WilliamM2 wrote: »

They aren't my physics, they apply to everything. And I don't give two **** about your delusions either.

They certainly aren't my physics, either. My "delusions" tell me that i hear an improvement, and that makes me happy. You want me to be happy, don't you?

WilliamM2

hearingimpared wrote: »

Right, they are somebody else's physics that you are putting all your belief and faith in. How do you measure a lower noise floor? Don't tell me with an SPL meter either.

It isn't a belief, it's fact. I know that's hard for you to deal with.

polkatese

Can we try a different approach in looking into Power Cords debate?

First of all, this debate can be, to a lesser degree, like the discussion about religion. Some like to see evidence and some like to base it on faith. But the discussion about power cord is actually a lot easier to deal with. Signal cable Magic power cord starts at $59. Rather than trying to argue about its value, why can one just buy it and try it in their system? if it doesn't make a difference, then whoopy doo $59 was spent and can be offered here in FS and get a chunk of money back (net cost perhaps $20).

IMHO, here is the variables that I think play major role in allowing someone to hear a "difference" (notice that I didn't say good or bad, but rather a difference that can be good or bad, depending on a slew of other factors such as preferences, perceptions, etc. etc.):

1. Resolution level of the system
2. Dedicated outlets vs. non dedicated standard outlets
3. Power conditioners in between vs. no conditioners

The power cords that I have tried are pretty limited: Signal Cable, standard heavy gauge (run of the mills), and DH Labs. I like DH Labs the most, btw.

Last caveat: YMMV!

Hawkeye

I've had mixed results. I tried upgraded cords on my subs and speakers (ESL's require being plugged in the wall) with no noticeable change good or bad.

However, when placed on the front end gear, there was a decrease in noise. It was not day and night but at this point, small improvements are large and expensive regardless of how much wire runs back to the nuc plant.;)

Gordon

concealer404

^Ding. Winrar.

That was meant for polkatese, but Hawkeye deserves one, too.

hearingimpared

WilliamM2 wrote: »

It isn't a belief, it's fact. I know that's hard for you to deal with.

It's a fact that I believe what I hear! Not what I read I'm supposed to hear. That indeed is a hard fact for you to deal with.

selkec

You can get more noticeable results in sound just by cable management. Like keeping your power cables away or from running parallel speaker wire or other cables. I used to have a hum coming from my speakers till I organized my cables. It was coming from my TV power cable running parallel with my speaker wire.
As for the other poster to why I made my own. I just like to have the exact length and like my cables to look good even if no one sees them. Why does everyone on this site get so worked up. Its silly. The cussing and name calling that goes on on here. Its just a fuc&^ng hobby so relax. Half the upgrades you see are snake oil. Your minds play tricks on you since you spent 250 on a cable it must be better right? Placebo effect at its finest.