Can a better power cable make a difference if NOT plugged directly into an outlet?

In my experience, power cables always affect the sound, no matter where in your system they are. The more length, the more they seem to impart their sonic characteristics. After tons of testing, one could probably approximate a connectors/plugs to cable length ratio for how much each affects the sound. The plugs/connectors on very short power cables affect the sound qualities more than those on longer cables, so it seems they have more of an absolute or constant effect which is relative to the effect resulting from the cable length.

If you want to do your own testing, get some adapters and daisy chain different cables together to get really deep into this. The cable used to feed a power distributor/conditioner demonstrates the same effect as a direct daisy chain. And I’m not totally sure about this, but cables that plug directly into upstream components may have greater sonic effects.

I know my cables and components really well now and how they interact, it just required lots of different combinations, time, and a keen ear to discern the different qualities that they impart on the whole system’s sound. I would suggest moving forward as if every single cable contributes it’s own sound qualities to the whole. Any cable in the chain that lacks clarity or adds graininess will compromise the end result.

@secretguy Your snideness is no secret, guy

@hilde45 When you go for it, a desktop computer with a decent power supply unit can be very useful as a cheap way to burn-in new cables before you try them out.

My computer has a 1000 watt PSU, so my m.o. now is to cook cables (usually in a daisy chain) alternating between 6 amps and 3.75 amps, continuously, for 2 or 3 days before I let them sit in my system with some ordinary usage for at least a day before starting to make decisions. That's a bare minimum.

@brunomarcs Regarding your comment: "You think this is a viable approach?"

Viable, sure. Optimal? Not exactly the order I would do it. I would want to go in the direction which is most likely to discover which components are most sensitive to certain types of cable upgrades (clarity in freq ranges of bass/mid-bass/mids/highs/ultra highs, extension in highs or lows, etc). So, I think it would bring you more understanding by starting the experiment with all freebie 16-18awg cables on all components and rotating all available upgrade options on each component, sequentially, component by component to find which component gains the greatest benefit from alternative cables you have available. 👍🏼 I think you’ll find this method efficient and effective.

In my digital system, I’ve consistently found that it’s best to optimize cables with the best high frequencies in the beginning of the chain, the best combo of high frequencies and mids on my DAC, something similar on my preamp, and make sure my power amp has a larger gauge to optimize lower frequency response and lowered resistance. For those with the budget, the Clarus Crimson High Current 8awg occ copper power cable is a fantastic power cable for amps, especially the more power hungry solid state amps.

@stuartk Noiice! 😂