Question for Atma-sphere, will expensive power cables improve your amplifiers?
The reason I am asking is I feel manufacturers of high quality components include all that is ever needed, power cable wise. Sure, some people buy power cables because they need special lengths or have some out of the ordinary "noise" issues that need extra insulation. Some even like the visual aspect of the aftermarket cables. I’m just curious why many spend thousands of dollars on such when the manufacturer has taken the power cable into account when producing the product. I cannot see a High-quality audiophile component maker (especially some that sell volume) pass on a few dollars for a better sounding power cable if indeed the cable improved their product. I cannot see a person buying that $7000 amp is not going to balk if the product was introduced at $7100 (with the better cable).
I wonder if Luxman, Accuphase, McIntosh, Gryphon...you name it "dressed" their power cables up to look like expensive aftermarket cables, owners would be so quick to "upgrade"?
I’d be curious to hear Ralph’s opinion on the subject
In fairness though, the actual voltage drop across a power cable is going to be as insignificant as its resistance and in any event, wouldn't mitigation consist of heavier gauge conductors (ref. Ohm's law)? I am not suggesting power cables do not make a difference in sound quality, merely that voltage drop may not be the best explanation, unless of course the conductors are improperly sized. After all, some big amps can pull 50 or 60A from the wall during transients. |
@jetter @devinplombier No, I was responding to the general assertion made that power cables make no difference in sound and can’t be verified with science or physics, which is pretty much absurd on any level. I just mentioned voltage drop as one aspect because it was mentioned earlier in this thread and is measurable, but obviously things like capacitance, resistance, etc. can also be measured and can affect cable performance and sound. I usually avoid responding to the flat earthers here, but this one was so broad and silly I felt compelled. That said, there are variables like geometry, conductor (silver, copper), shielding, connectors, etc. that can all make a difference so that even cables of the same gauge can and will sound different. One only need compare 10AWG cables between different manufacturers or even two different lines within the same manufacturer to hear that this is the case. If you think all 10AWG PCs sound the same then we’ll just agree to disagree. Anyway, hope this clarifies things. |
Honestly @atmasphere deserves a lot of credit for being so forthcoming while being somewhat unfairly put on the spot by a question that applies not just to him but to every manufacturer on the planet, assuming of course that that question had value in the first place. |
@westcoastaudiophile It is absolutely justified if just you use your ears. |
