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
Great comments -- but what is a practical way to deal with this issue. As a threshold matter, I was thinking of runnning a couple of 20A dedicated Romex lines from my circuit box to feed my gear as soon as my wife visits her mother on the West Coast. But as far as "power gremlins" are concerned, is there a moderately priced solution out there??

I've heard similar comments about power regenerators mentioned by Al -- loss of dynamics. Also power regenerators are da*n expensive. Suggestions would be welcome. Lookin' for quality electrons.
Bifwynne - I use Furman Elite 20PFi, a power correcting 20A conditioner with non-sacrificial over/under voltage protection. I don't see any difference in dynamics possibly because in addition to large inductor in series with power outputs it also has huge capacitor. They claim 55 amperes of available peak current. There is some change in bass performance making bass more musical (more even), but the biggest improvement is in purity of the midrange. It also gives me sense of security protecting all my components during thunderstorms.
I recently purchased a couple of Blue Circle SillyCone filters. They are a parallel filters which are plugged into any free outlet but their effectiveness is increased the closer they are to the equipment outlet. These filters are built into a silicone filled ABS pipe, they aren't much to look at, but don't let that dissuade you.

I purchased them for my monoblocks as I have always plugged the amps directly into the wall. Since the SillyCone filters are parallel filters, they do not restrict current and dynamics.

What immediately grabbed my attention was the level of refinement these filters brought to my system. Leading transients are less edgy and more natural. Backgrounds are blacker which allows inner detail and texture to flow through. Images are portrayed with greater density and space.

Previously, I had PS Audio Harvesters and at certain times of the day, their LEDs would start flashing so rapidly, that I could hear them buzzing. Even when I added more Harvesters, it didn't make a significant difference to the amount of power line noise as they would all be buzzing away. When I plugged in a single SillyCone 6x filter, the blinking on the Harvesters dropped significantly. Adding a second 6x filter stopped their blinking all together.

I eventually ordered two 18x filters for my amps. I'm thinking of getting more of these pipes, they even make a nice contribution when I plug them into my BPT conditioner.

http://www.bluecircle.com/page26.html
The best (and simplest) explanation I have ever seen is similar to what Elizabeth describes above. The comment that I read said that, ultimately, no matter what conversions, etc. happen in between, the musical signal is modulating the AC power coming into your system. It just makes sense that the cleaner this waveform is, the cleaner the output will be.

I can tell you that I thought I had pretty good power until I bought a Furman 15PFi (a smaller version of Kijanki's model) to clean up the mass of cables behind my system. I was stunned at the difference it made. I don't remember what I was listening to after the install but it was something relatively familiar. My daughter walked through the room and commented that she "never knew that song had a guitar in it." She was right - I had never heard it before either. I can tell you that I'll never be without power conditioning of some sort again. And the Furman is not a super expensive piece.
A further thought about power regenerators. My guess is that the root cause of the reduction in dynamics that they are sometimes reported to cause is simply that the 120VAC or whatever that they put out is different (and most likely lower) than the voltage at the wall outlets.

A voltage reduction can make a difference in several ways, to a greater or lesser extent depending on the design of the particular components, especially the amplifier. It could reduce dynamic headroom, reduce maximum power capability, change internal operating temperatures, change bias points, and increase distortion on high volume peaks that approach the reduced clipping point.

On the other hand, if the line voltage happens to be lower than what the regenerator puts out, the voltage increase provided by the regenerator at those locations could decrease distortion on high volume peaks that approach the clipping point. That decrease in distortion could conceivably be perceived as a reduction in dynamics. In a different context (that of SET amplifiers) Atmasphere has commented in the past that since the 5th, 7th, and 9th harmonics of a note's fundamental frequency are significant determinants of our perception of loudness, an increase in those distortion components that occurs primarily on high volume transients will result in a subjective perception of increased dynamics.

Uru, thanks for your comment. Lynne (Arnettpartners) and Bruce (Bifwynne), given the unpredictability and system dependency of it all, I have no particular suggestions beyond what the others have said. Bruce, dedicated lines certainly seem like a good idea, that is amply backed up by anecdotal evidence. I finally got around to having one installed last year, but I upgraded my amplifier at the same time so I don't know how much difference it may have made, if any.

Best regards,
-- Al