Going from stock cords on my power amps to heavier gauge/better insulated cords made an audible difference. Replacing the stock cords on my Streamer, DAC and Preamp also made a difference, just not as dramatic.
My experience.
When a power cord could obviously affect SQ
I have been a bit of a non-believer in power cords having magical effects on SQ but I have been discussing with Frank Ng a pair of PP 2A3 amps I am purchasing from TriodeLab. He is supplying a pair of his preferred cables and he points out that the 2A3s’ cathodes are fed directly from the mains transformer.
The amps (UPS willing) arrive tomorrow - this should be quite an experience - it has been quite a game finding great tubes.
- ...
- 63 posts total
Just recently while running 5Hz - 3500 MHz sweeps using a field strength instrument, I noted substantial differences in radiated EMI from various audio power cables. Some emitted surprisingly strong magnetic fields that radiated well beyond the cable jacket, whereas others had undetectable emissions. This implies some cables are clearly better suited for use in close proximity with sensitive digital components (e.g. DACs and streamers) and interconnects. From an internal perspective, a power cable is not a one-way street, and the better way to view it is not as the last few feet of power feed, but rather as first few feet of what the component "sees" when propagating away problematic internal noise generated by the component itself. This noise exerts direct influence on audio performance, and cable characteristics determine how efficiently it is removed. When one views it from this perspective, it's not a stretch to understand why power cables can "sound" different. |
Examples of duplex receptacle outlets: https://leviton.com/products/mri83-r / / / https://leviton.com/products/5362-w . Galvanized steel supporting back strap. / / / Two Body types. Deep and Slender/Compact style body. Deep body: Go to page 6. Note the picture of the outlet. Non plated brass contacts, non plated brass Yoke. (supporting back strap.) HBL® Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Series. Hubbell, HBL 5262 (15 amp.) 5362 (20 amp.) HBL 5362 (20 amp) HBL 5262 (15 amp) From my personal listening experience of the HBL 5362 outlet on my audio system it tends be a little to the side of warm. Shunyata Research SR-Z1 ( Is a Hubbell HBL 5362 duplex outlet) Good video comparison of a Hubbell HBL 5362 outlet to a cheap residential grade outlet. / / / HBL® Compact Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Series 15 and 20 Ampere 125 Volts Go to page #10 and look at the picture of the Duplex Receptacle. There again non plated brass contacts and non plated brass back strap. HBL Extra Heavy Duty MAX Slender/Compact, Side Wired Only, Duplex Receptacle Don’t know exactly why but the Slender/Compact body outlet is more neutral sounding than the deep body Hubbell outlet. Years ago this outlet was one of the best outlets for audio equipment. Porter Port Porter Port outlets Cryo various colors The photos of the outlets are of the actual original Hubbell HBL 8300 (20A) Hospital grade Slender/Compact body style duplex receptacle. Hubbell discontinued the outlet many ,many years ago. I still have several of the HBL 8300 Slender/Compact hostpital grade outlets. Cyro and non cyro. . This is what Hubbell makes today. Not good for feeding audio equipment. It can sound bright and grainy sounding. Magnetic ferrous materials. Galvanized back strap. Hubbell HBL8300HW Duplex Commercial/Hospital Grade Receptacle Nema5-20R White . |
Power cords or any upgrades never need to be a matter of belief. If the sound changes, it changes. If not, send the cables back. Morrow provides a 60 day return policy. The map4 power cord made an obvious improvement in my system. Will it in yours? It’s not guaranteed. Try it and find out. Return it if it doesn’t. Start with your power amp, then preamp. |
- 63 posts total