Why does better power = better sound?


Why does improving power quality improve sound quality?

I’m not asking to start an argument about power cords or wall outlets. Please let’s not go there. I’m asking because I’m hoping to learn some technical explanations for the effects of power quality on sound quality. I think I already understand how…

1. greater current availability = greater dynamic range
2. reduction of RFI/EMI = better signal to noise ratio

…but what about these…

3. ???????? = greater perceived resolution
4. ???????? = more realistic instrument timbres
5. ???????? = more precise imaging

Are differences in resolution, instrument timbres, imaging, etc. somehow reducible to current availability and/or powerline noise? If so, HOW are they reducible?

Again, I’m hoping to get into technical specifics, not polemical generalities.

Thanks in advance.

Bryon
bryoncunningham

Showing 4 responses by mapman

Good basic point Al.

A solution that truly cleans or smooths out the power supply in regards to AC frequency but also in conjunction limits basic power parameters like voltage and current may be of marginal benefit or perhaps even be detrimental in the end compared to one that does not or even no solution at all.
"With the Audience aR6-TS in my system, it’s as if I can walk through my speakers and literally shake hands with the musicians. "

I have a lot of problems pulling the trigger on power upgrades in my case.

I know cleaner power can make a difference. I heard it clearly when I first plugged my gear (other than power amps) into a modest Monster power strip. The problem is my gear still sounds great and I can do the walkthrough the speakers trick pretty well as is.

To me its like a white dress shirt. Its either clean or it is not. There is at point at which it technically might be considered cleaner if say inspected under a microscope maybe, but practically, it is clean.

So my best estimate is my power is clean enough to sound perfectly good to me. I might hear a difference were it cleaner, but it is not so important to me that I gotta go out and upgrade now. I probably will at some point once I feel educated enough to make a good decision. Making a good decision becomes harder once you get into the realm of diminishing returns.
"I'd love to attend a shootout of top power conditioners like Audience, Shunyata, Synergistic Research, Tripoint, etc.."

Yes, me too.

Ideally this would occur in my room and with my power.

I'd settle for a/b testing of any of these with my setup compared to what I currently use. I would expect to hear a difference and be able to make a value judgement accordingly.

A shootout elsewhere would still be interesting but harder for me to translate.

My goal would be to use a power conditioner to put the power issue to rest for me for good hopefully. That might well prove to be a good investment even if somewhat pricey!

Maybe if I had $30 or so left in my pocket afterwards I just might, MIGHT, consider a fancy fuse! But probably not. :-)

If someone in Baltimore/DC metro area wanted to play, I might be interested in a reciprocal trial of some of my more easily transported gear in their place as well sometime.
"They laugh at what we spend to improve the power, yet they aren't getting the sound from their gear that they paid good money for.
They would rather flip amps and gear on a continuing basis,never having really heard the gear they own running the way it should."

Agree clean power only helps and it can be a very cost effective tweak.

I would not go so far as to say that all power related tweaks are necessarily good nor cost effective though.

Like everything involving technology, usually, the devil is in the details. Many may not understand what works and what doesn't when it comes to clean power and shy away. Others that are more educated on the topic probably do.

Buying and selling used certainly can help take a lot of the risk out of trying something just to see even if you have no idea what to expect.