Power cords or power conditioner

I have yet to hear a power cord make a difference.

In my direct experience, the addition of a good power conditioner/regenerator can and probably will increase the dimensionality of your system.  My PS Audio P600 died a couple years ago and NOBODY wanted to fix it.  I plugged my amps, sources, and crossover into a distribution block for a few months using the same cord I'd used on the P600 and damn!  The sound quality was quite diminished.  The soundstage was flattened with a depressing loss of inner detail, especially decays.   I didn't want to pay for one of the newer PS Audio power regenerators so I bought a Core Power Technologies  Equi-Core 1800 (the original) based on reviews.  It's much better than the distribution block but not quite the sonic improvement the P600 offered.  So yes, in my experience, and I'll assume your choice would be for a newer, even better power conditioner, such an addition could bring you a more 3d sound.

And, there's no doubt that a good power cord can and will get you closer to that sound as well.  I've been going the DIY route on power cords for years so can't offer any current recommendations specifically. I'm using some very heavy gauge silver clad copper solid core wires with either Oyaide 046 or 004 plugs to good effect.   I find my sound to be quite detailed with fairly good front to back depth, excellent lateral image placement and completely satisfactory image height.  Images have a nice roundness or fullness.  They usually occupy a decently carved out 3d space.   To validate my recommendation that power cords can/will improve the holographic imaging ability of a system, I pulled out all of my DIY power cords and replaced them with suitable stock cords (larger gauge on the power conditioner and amps).   And the results......flat, cardboard images not to mention the obvious reduction in detail.  Al in all, I wouldn't want to listen to it.  

Maybe getting a single high quality high current power cord and a good distribution block (make your own---its pretty simple and good outlets aren't expensive) would allow you to hear the improvements across all your components, not just the amp, until you get a good power conditioner as well. 

As others has stated before, its about positioning. Even with generic 'black' cables you should be able to get the 'stage' if you put the speakers (and if your rooom alows it) right.

Try playing with them, space behind speakers is crucial for 'depth' ,find the best angle, first 'aim' at the center of your listening position or maybe just little bit in front, or perhaps aim 'for the shoulders' (yours, in your sitting position), try different angles, but be sure to mark your starting point, so that you can be very precise when moving them next time. Mark the one you like the best,for fine tuning,even one inch can make big difference.

It took me few months, laser meter and lots of tape on parquet floor to get it right, with small two way monitors and in almost dedicated room to get it right..

Power cords and conditioners (if choosen right) will improve the overall sound, but not before you you place your speakers in a 'right' way...

 

secretguy

1,023 posts

09-04-2022 at 09:49pm 

I have yet to hear a power cord make a difference.

My money is on “you’ve never even tried”…..

@secretguy +1! If changing an interconnect or power cord brought a real sonic improvement it would be a wonderful world indeed! Alas ...