As it is advised to upgrade your power cords on kit, can anyone suggest a power cord that doesnt cost the earth! I have been advised to get one defo for my cd player, on more than one occasion!
dave
dave
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Mains powercords.
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reggaedave:
As it is advised to upgrade your power cords on kit, can anyone suggest a power cord that doesnt cost the earth! I have been advised to get one defo for my cd player, on more than one occasion!
dave
Either get one with a money-back guarantee or try fleabay. Then if you don't like it you can sell on/send back. I really like my Nordost and it was better than cheaper ones from Merlin, Russ etc
As it is advised to upgrade your power cords on kit, can anyone suggest a power cord that doesnt cost the earth! I have been advised to get one defo for my cd player, on more than one occasion!
dave
Either get one with a money-back guarantee or try fleabay. Then if you don't like it you can sell on/send back. I really like my Nordost and it was better than cheaper ones from Merlin, Russ etc
Get a used Chord Power Chord off e bay about £75. Excellent, delivered extra dynamics and clarity to my system.
reggaedave:
As it is advised to upgrade your power cords on kit, can anyone suggest a power cord that doesnt cost the earth! I have been advised to get one defo for my cd player, on more than one occasion!
dave
I use a RA classic powerkord with my CDP & it made a huge difference, incredible even. Bass became so much more tight, lovely open soundstage & very clean midrange. I never used to listen to music as much as i did years ago but since i added the Classic powerkord i cant tear myself away from it, well worth investing IMO
As it is advised to upgrade your power cords on kit, can anyone suggest a power cord that doesnt cost the earth! I have been advised to get one defo for my cd player, on more than one occasion!
dave
I use a RA classic powerkord with my CDP & it made a huge difference, incredible even. Bass became so much more tight, lovely open soundstage & very clean midrange. I never used to listen to music as much as i did years ago but since i added the Classic powerkord i cant tear myself away from it, well worth investing IMO
Im a electrician/electronics guy by trade, and id love to know what an expensive power cord, is actually made with?
CY or SY shielded control cable, an IEC connector,a wattgate and an MK toughplug with a pair of ferrite clamps all nicely sealed with heatshrink. And a compressed air line or similar jacket. Shielding connected to earth at the plug end only
Alternatively, individually insulated and shielded (usually teflon jacket) conductors. The L and N are weaved together in one direction LH weave and the earth cable is wound with the opposite weave. The shielding applied and connected as above with a nice fancy jacket.
Lot of work goes into them hence the prices.
Lot of work goes into them hence the prices.
pluto78:
Im sure a power cable is just voodoo nonsense IMO. Surely designers would incorporate basic mains conditioning as standard in audio equipment. I mean you dont think of getting one for your tv or any other electrical item so why hifi? I mean my tv that has audio AND a picture and doesnt suffer from unexpected burps and bleeps with a standard connection... I would love to see scientific evidence that a powercord works and not just the placebo effect. It seems every review I read is measured by the "mark 1 ear 'ole" which is subject to bias and convincing yourself that it "has to sound better" because you've wasted £70 on a kettle lead!
Dont slam me for my opinion I just cant get my head around it.
This has been discussed on many threads on the forum already and lets just say that a concensus was not reached!
Im sure a power cable is just voodoo nonsense IMO. Surely designers would incorporate basic mains conditioning as standard in audio equipment. I mean you dont think of getting one for your tv or any other electrical item so why hifi? I mean my tv that has audio AND a picture and doesnt suffer from unexpected burps and bleeps with a standard connection... I would love to see scientific evidence that a powercord works and not just the placebo effect. It seems every review I read is measured by the "mark 1 ear 'ole" which is subject to bias and convincing yourself that it "has to sound better" because you've wasted £70 on a kettle lead!
Dont slam me for my opinion I just cant get my head around it.
This has been discussed on many threads on the forum already and lets just say that a concensus was not reached!
Im going to make one at work. Plug top ( there will not be anything special there im telling you)..
Cable, ill use a 3 core wire wound cable, that will be shielded with alu foil, and all cores covered with a silver braid. ( i can understand a little with this spec, but wouldnt have thought it would be doing much over a short distance, maybe a long run, but ill go with it)...
Ill have to have a look at whats goin on at the kettle lead end, unless there's summat inside a expensive one it should just be normal? anyone?
Cable, ill use a 3 core wire wound cable, that will be shielded with alu foil, and all cores covered with a silver braid. ( i can understand a little with this spec, but wouldnt have thought it would be doing much over a short distance, maybe a long run, but ill go with it)...
Ill have to have a look at whats goin on at the kettle lead end, unless there's summat inside a expensive one it should just be normal? anyone?
michael hoy
Well-known member
- Oct 6, 2008
- 796
- 280
- 19,270
pluto78:basshound:pluto78:
Im sure a power cable is just voodoo nonsense IMO. Surely designers would incorporate basic mains conditioning as standard in audio equipment. I mean you dont think of getting one for your tv or any other electrical item so why hifi? I mean my tv that has audio AND a picture and doesnt suffer from unexpected burps and bleeps with a standard connection... I would love to see scientific evidence that a powercord works and not just the placebo effect. It seems every review I read is measured by the "mark 1 ear 'ole" which is subject to bias and convincing yourself that it "has to sound better" because you've wasted £70 on a kettle lead!
Dont slam me for my opinion I just cant get my head around it.
This has been discussed on many threads on the forum already and lets just say that a concensus was not reached!
Apologies if you feel this has been discussed before but why is noone advising me where to look for scientific proof these cables improve the sound. I mean c'mon many of you guys spend thousands on amps and cd players etc but hang on... why dont the amp and cd player manufacturers give these cables to go with their gear? I mean.. surely you guys should be seriously angry if you spent £4k on a hi end system only for a £75 cable to improve things? Seriously think about that guys. Why would a hi end hifi company spend wallops of cash on R & D for an amp or cd player only for you to say it sounds better with a silly kettle lead? It doesnt make sense does it now? If they are striving for hi end sound then include them with the kit surely? Plus where does any manufacturer recommend these cables? Oh hang on.. they dont. Snake and oil gentlemen.
Why would car manufacturers not include a K & N air filter on their engines a standard one is "good enough" but a K & N one is better, same, why dont car manufacturers include a stainless exhaust, because the standard is "good enough" for the mass market. People are allowed to tweak and tune whatever they see fit to spend their money on and whilst any conductor is as good as any other conductor in so much as it conducts electricity, the difference that specific mains cables have is they prevent unwanted RFI or MFI from entering the supply ie using the mains lead as an aerial.
Im sure a power cable is just voodoo nonsense IMO. Surely designers would incorporate basic mains conditioning as standard in audio equipment. I mean you dont think of getting one for your tv or any other electrical item so why hifi? I mean my tv that has audio AND a picture and doesnt suffer from unexpected burps and bleeps with a standard connection... I would love to see scientific evidence that a powercord works and not just the placebo effect. It seems every review I read is measured by the "mark 1 ear 'ole" which is subject to bias and convincing yourself that it "has to sound better" because you've wasted £70 on a kettle lead!
Dont slam me for my opinion I just cant get my head around it.
This has been discussed on many threads on the forum already and lets just say that a concensus was not reached!
Apologies if you feel this has been discussed before but why is noone advising me where to look for scientific proof these cables improve the sound. I mean c'mon many of you guys spend thousands on amps and cd players etc but hang on... why dont the amp and cd player manufacturers give these cables to go with their gear? I mean.. surely you guys should be seriously angry if you spent £4k on a hi end system only for a £75 cable to improve things? Seriously think about that guys. Why would a hi end hifi company spend wallops of cash on R & D for an amp or cd player only for you to say it sounds better with a silly kettle lead? It doesnt make sense does it now? If they are striving for hi end sound then include them with the kit surely? Plus where does any manufacturer recommend these cables? Oh hang on.. they dont. Snake and oil gentlemen.
Why would car manufacturers not include a K & N air filter on their engines a standard one is "good enough" but a K & N one is better, same, why dont car manufacturers include a stainless exhaust, because the standard is "good enough" for the mass market. People are allowed to tweak and tune whatever they see fit to spend their money on and whilst any conductor is as good as any other conductor in so much as it conducts electricity, the difference that specific mains cables have is they prevent unwanted RFI or MFI from entering the supply ie using the mains lead as an aerial.
reggaedave:
Im going to make one at work. Plug top ( there will not be anything special there im telling you)..
Cable, ill use a 3 core wire wound cable, that will be shielded with alu foil, and all cores covered with a silver braid. ( i can understand a little with this spec, but wouldnt have thought it would be doing much over a short distance, maybe a long run, but ill go with it)...
Ill have to have a look at whats goin on at the kettle lead end, unless there's summat inside a expensive one it should just be normal? anyone?
Nope a standard IEC connector (not a kettle lead), is fine if you can get one with silver connectors it may sound different give it a go and experiment. The shielding prevents any unwanted RFI or MFI entering the system. Imagine an FM radio with no aerial, very poor signal......now add "only" 0.5- -1.0m aerial,much better signal.............see where I am coming from????
Im going to make one at work. Plug top ( there will not be anything special there im telling you)..
Cable, ill use a 3 core wire wound cable, that will be shielded with alu foil, and all cores covered with a silver braid. ( i can understand a little with this spec, but wouldnt have thought it would be doing much over a short distance, maybe a long run, but ill go with it)...
Ill have to have a look at whats goin on at the kettle lead end, unless there's summat inside a expensive one it should just be normal? anyone?
Nope a standard IEC connector (not a kettle lead), is fine if you can get one with silver connectors it may sound different give it a go and experiment. The shielding prevents any unwanted RFI or MFI entering the system. Imagine an FM radio with no aerial, very poor signal......now add "only" 0.5- -1.0m aerial,much better signal.............see where I am coming from????
pluto78:basshound:pluto78:
Im sure a power cable is just voodoo nonsense IMO. Surely designers would incorporate basic mains conditioning as standard in audio equipment. I mean you dont think of getting one for your tv or any other electrical item so why hifi? I mean my tv that has audio AND a picture and doesnt suffer from unexpected burps and bleeps with a standard connection... I would love to see scientific evidence that a powercord works and not just the placebo effect. It seems every review I read is measured by the "mark 1 ear 'ole" which is subject to bias and convincing yourself that it "has to sound better" because you've wasted £70 on a kettle lead!
Dont slam me for my opinion I just cant get my head around it.
This has been discussed on many threads on the forum already and lets just say that a concensus was not reached!
Apologies if you feel this has been discussed before but why is noone advising me where to look for scientific proof these cables improve the sound. I mean c'mon many of you guys spend thousands on amps and cd players etc but hang on... why dont the amp and cd player manufacturers give these cables to go with their gear? I mean.. surely you guys should be seriously angry if you spent £4k on a hi end system only for a £75 cable to improve things? Seriously think about that guys. Why would a hi end hifi company spend wallops of cash on R & D for an amp or cd player only for you to say it sounds better with a silly kettle lead? It doesnt make sense does it now? If they are striving for hi end sound then include them with the kit surely? Plus where does any manufacturer recommend these cables? Oh hang on.. they dont. Snake and oil gentlemen.
pluto78, there are large differences in all cables.
Im sure a power cable is just voodoo nonsense IMO. Surely designers would incorporate basic mains conditioning as standard in audio equipment. I mean you dont think of getting one for your tv or any other electrical item so why hifi? I mean my tv that has audio AND a picture and doesnt suffer from unexpected burps and bleeps with a standard connection... I would love to see scientific evidence that a powercord works and not just the placebo effect. It seems every review I read is measured by the "mark 1 ear 'ole" which is subject to bias and convincing yourself that it "has to sound better" because you've wasted £70 on a kettle lead!
Dont slam me for my opinion I just cant get my head around it.
This has been discussed on many threads on the forum already and lets just say that a concensus was not reached!
Apologies if you feel this has been discussed before but why is noone advising me where to look for scientific proof these cables improve the sound. I mean c'mon many of you guys spend thousands on amps and cd players etc but hang on... why dont the amp and cd player manufacturers give these cables to go with their gear? I mean.. surely you guys should be seriously angry if you spent £4k on a hi end system only for a £75 cable to improve things? Seriously think about that guys. Why would a hi end hifi company spend wallops of cash on R & D for an amp or cd player only for you to say it sounds better with a silly kettle lead? It doesnt make sense does it now? If they are striving for hi end sound then include them with the kit surely? Plus where does any manufacturer recommend these cables? Oh hang on.. they dont. Snake and oil gentlemen.
pluto78, there are large differences in all cables.
pluto78:
I just cant get my head around it.
Then dont even attempt to try to then pluto78, if i come across something i cant get my head round i just 4get about it. To "me" there is huge differences & i would never "waste" my money as i always make sure i can get my money back if im not satisfied luckily RA does such a thing. I was very sceptical before i took the plunge & i went into it not looking for a positive difference so therefore it would save me money & i would of found out for myself, but it backfired on me & cost me several hundred quid replacing all my powerkords & yes i even have one on my plasma & yes theres a difference there to.
And please dont slam me for my opinion as i cant get my head around folk not noticing a difference they make to there systems etc
I just cant get my head around it.
Then dont even attempt to try to then pluto78, if i come across something i cant get my head round i just 4get about it. To "me" there is huge differences & i would never "waste" my money as i always make sure i can get my money back if im not satisfied luckily RA does such a thing. I was very sceptical before i took the plunge & i went into it not looking for a positive difference so therefore it would save me money & i would of found out for myself, but it backfired on me & cost me several hundred quid replacing all my powerkords & yes i even have one on my plasma & yes theres a difference there to.
And please dont slam me for my opinion as i cant get my head around folk not noticing a difference they make to there systems etc
easy brothers easy. I do belive that every part of a setup will make a difference, i just wish i could take an expensive cord apart, look at it, then think is this worth the money. I understand most things but i really struggle ( not that i dont belive it mind), that that very last metre of mains cable, plug socket into a component, can make such a difference, now if a decent mains cable was only 7 pound....
dave
dave
reggaedave:TRUE BLUE YOU DO HAVE A DEDICATED RADIAL ASWELL MIND, WHICH I DONT REGRETTABLY
Yes I do Dave (all cool here BTW), only got it fitted after I installed my Chord Power Chord. Reducedthe noise floor further and gave my system increased dynamics. TBH for the price I would recommend a DEDICATED 6MM line be run approx £120- £150
Yes I do Dave (all cool here BTW), only got it fitted after I installed my Chord Power Chord. Reducedthe noise floor further and gave my system increased dynamics. TBH for the price I would recommend a DEDICATED 6MM line be run approx £120- £150
reggaedave:
easy brothers easy. I do belive that every part of a setup will make a difference, i just wish i could take an expensive cord apart, look at it, then think is this worth the money. I understand most things but i really struggle ( not that i dont belive it mind), that that very last metre of mains cable, plug socket into a component, can make such a difference, now if a decent mains cable was only 7 pound....
dave
You've got to remember the amount of R&D, Marketing etc etc involved when calculating the cost, a 10x more expensive cable won't be 10x as good due to economies of scale, but it will be better.
easy brothers easy. I do belive that every part of a setup will make a difference, i just wish i could take an expensive cord apart, look at it, then think is this worth the money. I understand most things but i really struggle ( not that i dont belive it mind), that that very last metre of mains cable, plug socket into a component, can make such a difference, now if a decent mains cable was only 7 pound....
dave
You've got to remember the amount of R&D, Marketing etc etc involved when calculating the cost, a 10x more expensive cable won't be 10x as good due to economies of scale, but it will be better.
timwileman
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2008
- 296
- 0
- 18,890
right once agian...
using the term placebo effect is incorrect...
it came about from medical research, its a real effect ie if you have a nasty disease or medical condition, your given a pill and told it will help and it does...if its not an active substance in the pill but a placebo YOU STILL GET BETTER!
so using the term placebo is incorrect, unless of course your saying that the effect of a mains lead is in fact real for everyone who hears a difference but not you so they must be wrong??
btw i have not upgraded my power leads just so as you know 🙂
i guess a better term would be to say its 'perceptual' and does not change the physical atributes of the sounds produced in a particular system...because if it does in fact change the physical attributes of the sound from said system then its a matter of perception (once again) if an individual finds the sounds (music) better or worse?
hope that makes sense...not sure it does but its my tuppance worth and only serious post of the day........🙂
using the term placebo effect is incorrect...
it came about from medical research, its a real effect ie if you have a nasty disease or medical condition, your given a pill and told it will help and it does...if its not an active substance in the pill but a placebo YOU STILL GET BETTER!
so using the term placebo is incorrect, unless of course your saying that the effect of a mains lead is in fact real for everyone who hears a difference but not you so they must be wrong??
btw i have not upgraded my power leads just so as you know 🙂
i guess a better term would be to say its 'perceptual' and does not change the physical atributes of the sounds produced in a particular system...because if it does in fact change the physical attributes of the sound from said system then its a matter of perception (once again) if an individual finds the sounds (music) better or worse?
hope that makes sense...not sure it does but its my tuppance worth and only serious post of the day........🙂
pluto78:True Blue:
reggaedave:TRUE BLUE YOU DO HAVE A DEDICATED RADIAL ASWELL MIND, WHICH I DONT REGRETTABLY
Yes I do Dave (all cool here BTW), only got it fitted after I installed my Chord Power Chord. Reducedthe noise floor further and gave my system increased dynamics. TBH for the price I would recommend a DEDICATED 6MM line be run approx £120- £150
Increased Dynamics?!!! Its claims like that that make me think its all a placebo effect. So your telling me that a new power cable has increased the power in your amp therefore giving you more drive to your speakers and increasing dynamics as you raise your volume control? Either you dont know what dynamics are or these cables really are magic.
pluto78,
Please could you explain what dynamics are and how they are affected by current delivery to the source/amplifier/speaker. It may then be possible to shed light on how a dedicated supply can cause a difference in dynamics. Thank you.
reggaedave:TRUE BLUE YOU DO HAVE A DEDICATED RADIAL ASWELL MIND, WHICH I DONT REGRETTABLY
Yes I do Dave (all cool here BTW), only got it fitted after I installed my Chord Power Chord. Reducedthe noise floor further and gave my system increased dynamics. TBH for the price I would recommend a DEDICATED 6MM line be run approx £120- £150
Increased Dynamics?!!! Its claims like that that make me think its all a placebo effect. So your telling me that a new power cable has increased the power in your amp therefore giving you more drive to your speakers and increasing dynamics as you raise your volume control? Either you dont know what dynamics are or these cables really are magic.
pluto78,
Please could you explain what dynamics are and how they are affected by current delivery to the source/amplifier/speaker. It may then be possible to shed light on how a dedicated supply can cause a difference in dynamics. Thank you.
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