1. Home
  2. cables
  3. 152345-18277

The Truth About Power Cords and there "Real" Price to Performance

This is a journey through real life experiences from you to everyone that cares to educate themselves. I must admit that I was not a believer in power cords and how they affect sound in your system. I from the camp that believed that the speaker provided 75% of the sound signature then your source then components but never the power cord. Until that magic day I along with another highly acclaimed AudioGoner who I will keep anatomist ran through a few cables in quite a few different systems and was "WOWED" at what I heard. That being said cable I know that I am not the only believer and that is why there are so many power cord/cable companies out there that range from $50 to 20-30 thousand dollars and above. So I like most of you have to scratch my head and ask where do I begin what brand and product and what should i really pay for it?

The purpose of this discussion to get some honest feed back on Price to Performance from you the end user to us here in the community.

Please fire away!


 


blumartini
cleeds
6,610 posts
 
jagjag
... Acrolink 4030 power cable from breaker to socket, and from socket to device does it for me.
That cable doesn't appear to be rated or intended for in-wall use. Do you know otherwise?
blumartini's avatar
blumartini OP
224 posts
 
@talkskiwon
Thought you might be interested in this last minute steal of a deal on Jolida I believe it's a big step up with a better warranty.

https://www.morrowaudio.com/pages/jolida-audio-product-liquidation

Happy New Year's 
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
You do not want to use solid core, go with variable Awg multi-stranded copper or hybrid cable with cotton cloth or other low dialectic wrapping plus insulation and EMI/RFI copper surround and quality ends of silver or rhodium. Try for 7-10 Awg. total for your cable needs.
unfairlane's avatar
unfairlane
140 posts
 
Anything but a single solid core will reduce the amps performance
audiozenology
362 posts
 
Given the lack of any consensus on best, one I think can assume there is no best, but perhaps best for a given situation, or best to suit a preference whatever that may be.


Unfairlane, can you explain your reasoning for why only single core would not reduce an amps performance? Some things to keep in mind:
  • Transformers in most amplifiers are of fairly low bandwidth
  • Many designers use inductive chokes to smooth the delivery of current to the capacitor bank (further reduces bandwidth)
  • Stranded wire will exhibit less high frequency loss
More to discover