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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Craig T on March 18, 2004, 10:40:07 AM
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I finally broke down and upgraded the power cords in my system and wow I never thought it would make that much difference. Seems to improve the detail, imaging, "blacker" background. I have a SignalCable "magic power" on my integrated amp, AudioQuest NG1 on my cd/dvd player. The cable on my integraded definitely made a bigger impact than the cd/dvd.
Anyone else using after-market power cords? What components? Worthwhile upgrade?
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Chris VenHaus PCs in my rig made an immediate difference on the D/A. A noticable but less startling difference between the balanced power supply and the wall. I highly recommend chris's cables. www.venhaus1.com You can DIY or buy them constructed. I did not get the cryo'd stuff - just the regular ones and they are great.
Did you also upgrade your A/C outlet? Thats cheap (~15$) and effective.
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Did you also upgrade your A/C outlet? Thats cheap (~15$) and effective.
I didn't, but I'm interested. Do you have the P&S outlets that ChrisVH sells?
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no, that's next. My outlets were 27yo, so just new ones from homedepot made for a much better grip on the cable. I attribute some of the PC improvement to that.
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over on headfi.org they are having a group buy on hospital grade power cords for only $12 a piece, sounds like a great deal, I got 2, lemme know if you want more details
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i've always wondered where it ends. power cords plug into a socket--socket is wired to the panel, which is wired to the pole out in the street. i'm still at the speaker cable stage ;D
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dedicated circuit boxes. dig up some discussions of power conditioners and the like... it gets silly ;D
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with AC, it usually ends with dedicated lines/mains box and a dedicated ground. The reason for the dedicated line is to get the gear on a leg as far away from motors and lamps that introduce noise on the AC.
Replacing outlets is done to get certain metals out of the path (I have less faith in this) and to ensure a tight connection between the outlet and the power cable to your gear. The better the contact and the more surface area of the contact patch, the better current flow you get.
The most extreme is power regeneration. You can buy a box that runs off unfiltered wall AC and regenerates pure noise free 120V AC out the other side.
It can get out of control sometimes. But I can honestly say that power cords and a balanced power filter made a distinct difference in the amount of bass and eliminated background noise in my system that I didn't even realize was there until it was gone. But my system is just above the level that will reveal changes like that. For alot of people it makes more sense to spend money on gear first.
If you are already trying and hearing the difference in speaker cables, you've already got one foot an a very slippery path.