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Power cords and soundstage

So I made a couple of changes in my system yesterday. I've acquired new power cords, and replaced/rearranged the power cords for two of the amps.

By the way I consider myself as semi-skeptic and semi-believer of good cables. I've heard subtle difference and improvement on some of the cables. But in most cases either I can't reliably tell which is which, or if I can tell the difference it is very small. I don't own exotic cables. Some of the brands I own include Audioquest, Kimber, Analysis Plus, and a few home-brewed, but well received power cords.

When I changed the power cords yesterday I heard immediate, and distinct difference. I can't say whether I like or dislike the changes yet, but the change is unmistakable.

Even my wife, who is music enthusiast but indifferent when it comes to the system change, commented today and said she thought the center speaker is "too strong". I've then explained that there is no sound coming out from the center speaker with the CD that she was listening.

Some of the differences that I've heard with the new power cords are the following:

Bass: Immediately I heard and felt that the amount of bass from the main speakers were smaller. It is definitely less boomy, and became tighter. I'm afraid the bass doesn't extend as low as before. So I've gained some and lost some.

Focus: focus, soundstage, whatever you call it, has tightened up as well. The bright side of it is now the speakers have completely disappeared. However it doesn't sound as extended from left to right as before. And as my wife noticed the sound is seemingly coming out from the center speaker, although the center speaker is off. No, I didn't hit dolby pro logic button by mistake. The only speakers that are producing any SPL are left and right speakers. The instrument location is still clearly defined, but overall left right soundstage is now much smaller. Here again, I've gained some and lost some.

Depth: This is one area that clearly was improved. It may sound like a cliche, but the noise floor seemed to have decreased, there is more micro dynamics, and it sounds deeper.

Now I'm more confused than ever, and I'm questioning my sanity..
jylee

Showing 6 responses by palerider

palerider
46 posts
 
09-17-08: Tvad

I really don't understand how the difference in PC's ability to deliver current would affect phase issues created by electronics or component set up.

Newbee (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)
I can't begin to understand it either, but I've heard the effects. Whether it's a phase shift, I don't know, but it has certainly sounded like a phase shift.."

-------------------------

Phase might be the main answer as we talk of AC. My experience is that just by turning phase on the PC the "wrong" wsy both soundstage and bass weight suffers. This can easily be checked with a ohm-meter in both ends of the PC to see if it turns the phases.

Powercords can do alot more than most folks imagine. The powersupply/trafo breathes through the PC..
As in any place of the power-circuit there`s a lot of loss in stranded wires, both distortion and lack of powercapasity. Obviously a point with huge amps, but it has the same effect on other components. To reduce loss PC`s should be kept as short as possible, no extensions.

And while we talk about current; pull out every mobilephone-charger, halogen-lights or any other small trafos while listening, those cheap little trafos makes a lot of noice!
palerider
46 posts
 
09-19-08: Rodman99999
A properly designed power cord(ie: Teflon dielectric, counter-rotating geometry, etc) will reduce or eliminate intra-conductor interactions that add noise and distortion to audio signals. The right geometry will cancel unwanted magnetic interaction. The same technology is used in many interconnects, but is even more important in a PC, given the much higher currents and stronger fields dealt with there. Most high-end cords will have an EMI/RFI trap built in also. The bottom line is the same as the benefit of a good power conditioner: cleaner, quieter power to your system, which lets you here more of the info on your source material(more apparent detail/better focus/greater ambiance retrieval).
Rodman99999 (Answers)

At least this is what mumbo cable"designers" wants us to belive, but it`s far from the truth. Any PC will reduce the powersupply`s dynamic capacity as long as it`s multicore/stranded, even if real thick PC`s helps a bit. And a good PC is of course totally shielded.
palerider
46 posts
 
09-19-08: Tvad

09-19-08: Palerider
Tvad

I really don't understand how the difference in PC's ability to deliver current would affect phase issues created by electronics or component set up.
I did not say the power cord change was causing a phase shift. What I wrote was that the change in sound I have heard in the past as a result of changing a power cord was similar to the sound of a phase shift. "

Yeah, and if you read my answer carefully you might get my reply to that. AC current phase-unbalance between components ruins 3D
palerider
46 posts
 
Try makin g some DIY PC`s from 10awg or so, mybe in a twisted kimber-design and see (?) what happens..
palerider
46 posts
 
Rodman99999; this "science" is not worth yhe paper it`s written on. Some years ago I tryed to take out some patents on some of my work. When I (just to make a conversation) mentioned the effect of using solid-core PC`s the professor looked at me like..:S
`Due to accepted theories there IS NO effect in this, but if you try it out there shure is.

All kind of electric "activity" or interference between several conductors, even if there might be some theoretic ups to it, will definetly degenerate the sound quality, and primarely dynamics.

If we speak of speakercables, it`s one factor that means absolutely all; resistance. Speakercables are extensions of the amps powercircuit, a low current circuit and must be scaled to make as low resistance as possible.

Mainly you folks have two options; argue against or ignore me on one side or simply try out what I claim and (mybe) get your ears opened.
palerider
46 posts
 

Really? When did you try out my solutions?
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