I find it funny that a) we still have this argument and b) there are still people who don't think a PC will change the sound.
I can at least respect the argument that the change in sound is not an improvement. While I don't agree completely, it at least recognizes the reality that the large majority of us have experienced. |
I think a common assumption many sceptics make (and I was one) is equating good power cords with expensive power cords. While there is overlap, they are two separate sets.
DIY is the only way I roll, but mainly because it lets me inexpensively experiment and satisfy my curiosity about which factors influence system sound. I highly recommend at least trying a good DIY design before passing judgement on whether or not power cords can affect the sound of a system.
That said, I’m still shocked that there are power cords costing in excess of $1000.. Not passing judgement on anyone who has such a cord. It’s just so far outside of my ’normal’.. |
I'm also of the opinion that, when upgrading cords, most of us go with a fatter cable than what came with the unit, so the increased conductor size increases both the current available (assuming there's not a bottleneck somewhere else, such as a conditioner or distribution box with smaller conductors) and the grounding and neutral path available for noise to exit the component. This is in addition to any smoothing or filtering aspects a particular PC may possess. |
Taking a well built item and modifying specific parts to increase performance is a common practice with tangible results. Have you ever put actual performance upgrades on a car? They actually increase the performance, go figure. So why don't the car companies make the cars with these mods stock? Who knows, but not having an answer doesn't mean the mods don't work.
Same here. Tweak away and you will find you can change the performance of your system. Why manufacturers don't include these mods from the factory is irrelevant and a distracting question. The general consensus among those who try them is that cables make a difference. Understanding the science behind this would be very intellectually satisfying, but is not necessary to hear and enjoy the difference. Working knowledge of the biochemistry of arousal is certainly not necessary to realize how freaking awesome it is to have sex and enjoy it.
Dynaquest4 - what different power cables have you tried? |
@randy-11 - people definitely bling out their cars! By performance mods, though, I meant mods that actually increase performance, such as stiffer motor mounts, better air intake assemblies, engine tuning.. I think you caught that differentiation, just making sure.
@williewonka - I started on another helix PC today. It’s for my preamp, it will replace the one I made from braided cat 5 cable. Which, by the way, sounds incredible and has not yet caused my house to burn down. But my amps both have helix cables, so I thought I’d see what one on the pre sounds like. Thanks for sharing all of your hard work. I definitely appreciate it.
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@randy-11 why the crunk doesn't the @ work for your username?!
I understand there is an increase in NVH. My last car was a bit of a toy that I played with and there was definitely an increase in NVH. The analogy of NVH in the audio world would be a decrease in WAF. My wife certainly did not like the increased NVH!
@williewonka I have considered making helix Interconnects, but I made a pair of silver interconnects with KLEI connectors not too long ago and they sound amazing, so I'm not in a hurry to replace them. I'll keep you posted on how the PC works with the pre. I was considering trying to make helix speaker cables, but I may just go the biwired, braided solid silver route. Not in a hurry there either though. |
You're a pusher! I don't want to disassemble my current Interconnects to build new ones. I'd rather keep them to use between the DAC and pre. So I'll have to wait until I have the cash to buy a new set. If I totally love the helix ICs, then I'd consider dismantling the old set.. though I could gut them and use the two silver conductors to make two sets of ICs. Hmm |
@williewonka holy crap. I have blisters on my hand from making this last cord. Wrapping 12.5' of 12 gauge wire around a fiberglass rod 3 times is hard work. And I'm a rock climber!
The helix cable was made with:
: Silver plated copper sonarquest IEC and mains connectors
:5' 10awg silver plated, teflon insulated copper live conductor
: 12.5' 2x12awg silver plated, teflon insulated copper neutral conductors
: 12.5' 12awg THHN stranded copper ground conductor
Both the connectors and live conductor were used in previous cables, so are somewhat broken in
What I've noticed so far:
: Bass is more powerful and smoother
: Increase in mid and high frequency presence and separation
: A faint hum I've had when using my turnable has been reduced
Differences are relative to my last cable: braided cat 5 plenum, equivalent to 9awg per conductor, with there same connectors (silver plated sonarquest)
I'm hoping that the highs calm down as the cable breaks in. If they don't, I'll have to get the same OCC conductors I have on the PCs on my amps. Or a solid silver conductor.. oooh. |
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I definitely meant it in the ’hey kid, try this awesome stuff’ way..
The cable is definitely calming down, I’m very happy with its sound. I won’t bother confirming whether my soundstage has gotten wider, etc, etc, only because, if you’ve already suggested it, then I’ll be primed to hear it. I do believe that what I called increased space between instruments and improved clarity after my first listen could easily be interpreted as an increase in soundstage.. besides sounding great, though, I'm really impressed how much it has reduced the hum in my TT, which wasn't really all that bad, but now it's hardly audible from 1'.
Either way, the helix is definitely a great design. I’ve posted links to your info blog in numerous threads around here.. it’s funny, though. People just like to buy the fancy bulk cable and expensive connectors for DIY. Ain’t nobody wanna work for their cables! :-) |
Randy, I'm not sure what you're trying to say.. are you suggesting all cables are placebo?
Here's my perspective: I came into cables expecting nothing. I had read enough about fancy cables to feel the need to disprove their efficacy to myself. Despite this perspective, I found my first use of non stock cables to be ear opening, despite what I was expecting and hoping to prove to myself.
So don't think all of us cable proponents are nothing but fools brainwashed by cable company hype. Some of us, many of us even, came around reluctantly to cables. So, please either come out and say what you mean, or just move along. I don't understand why some people are insulted or angry that other people are into after market cables.. I know some of the prices are stupid. But there are inexpensive and DIY options, so just slamming all cables because some are outrageously priced shows a lack of subtlety in thinking.
Out of curiosity, what types of cabling have you tried? |
Enjoying my system creates a valid listening test for me... If PCs don't make a difference, then there's a lot of mass hysteria going on. as has been said a million times, just because you can't measure it doesn't mean there's not a difference. Also, just because there are stupidly priced PCs doesn't mean all are a scam or are a crazy outlay of cash.
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If you haven't even tried, then your criticism holds very little weight.
Because some reviewers and forum users are prone to hyperbole and can be overly enthusiastic does not mean that there are no valid improvements with PCs.
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I love Music Reproduction System. It sounds so newspeak! |
@williewonka I definitely heard a bigger improvement putting the helix PC on the tube pre vs on the class d monos. Whether that's because it's a pre and they're amps it because it's tube and they're ss, I don't know. |
Oh yes, please. Tell us how wrong we are. We're obviously fooling ourselves. Thankfully your hulking intellects are saving you from a similar fate.
If only I were as smart. Alas. |
@shadorne "Yup. For example, the whole global warming scare has demonized CO2 from what it actually is - a totally harmless trace gas and extremely minor infra-red absorber of which projected increases will only help green the planet at an absolutely negligible change to temperature."
And yet what you say goes against the scientific consensus reached by the majority of climate researchers on the planet. The lack of understanding of scientific principles allows views such as yours on climate change to propagate. Unless, of course, you have some super secret research. Those of us worried about climate change would much rather prefer not to. I’d love it if we were wrong.. |
@nonoise , @schubert thank you. Being the reasonable one can be lonely. |
Maybe different gods will provide different sound.. dedicate your PC to Mars for powerful, fast, aggressive sound. Venus will provide lush, sweet sound. Avalokiteshvara will provide the sound you need to hear, not what you want. The judeo-christian God will blow up your stereo if you even think about another PC... |
