Power Cables and Affects on Timing (and speed)?

I have been evaluating new ICs.

Anyways, I forgot that my main power cord (same pc loom across my components) normally used to power the Pass XA-30.8 was being used with a recently arrived integrated amp.

To keep the Pass amp energized, I was using another power cord, which remained in --- as I moved to evaluate the ICs with the Pass amp (instead of the integrated). I realized this after a few days of IC evaluation with the Pass amp.

Once I swapped in the ’main’ power cord to the Pass amp, the sound signature of the system (and with the new ICs) changed and importantly (to me) the TIMING of the music across genres and recordings improved noticeably and markedly.

[I submit that shifts in timing are usually subtle (or small if you may) but the impact/result, when correct, is significant.]

I’d like to learn from this, especially in terms of power cords.

For those of you who have experience in this area, and have experienced the same, can you elaborate on your findings and help with any other pertinent details? Thank you.

@folkfreak   Does the same apply to the trailing edge?

@jayctoy  Do you find / feel that 'tonal balance' and timing are related/connected? How so?

@folkfreak @jayctoy @geoffkait   Thank you.

@dave_b  Very interesting and what a great story/lesson. 

@randy-11 Thank you for the link. I'm aware of archimago's work.

@folkfreak  I got very lucky with my room. It does need some treatment which will happen in the near future. At my normal listening levels the room is not a factor, and is surprisingly well balanced per my preferences. 

I made the same mistake once again, but remembered I had forgotten to swap out the power cord from the Lyric Audio Ti 140 MkII to the Pass XA-30.8 much sooner this time.

On this occasion, I also had the good fortune of having a fellow audiophile and friend on hand evaluating Single Ended IC cables (for the Lyric amp) with me.

The differences between the two cables were clear and our preference for my normally used cable was clear as day. Since both of us were ’critically evaluating’ the system, the differences we picked up on went far beyond just an improvement in timing.

(In case the question comes up...the power cables were powering the Pass XA-30.8 via a PI Audio UberBUSS....and were Audio Art and Triode Wire Labs)

@geoffkait   Geoff, I thought power cords were directional by design. Are you referring to something more specific or technical?

@geoffkait   Thanks for clarifying. I'll look into what Audioquest is doing to get educated on this.