Audible differences from upgraded power cables... - Page 2

I used to believe in power cables but after lots of testing I figured they don't help at all. Heck even sometimes they do worse. I'll just stick to my heavy gauge hospital power cords and save some money.

 

OFF TOPIC STORY:

Now my dad is a heavy believer in power cords and he has dropped like $600 on cords. I try to tell him the cords don't do anything because all the juics going through them is going through miles and miles of wire underground and that you're $100 won't do anything when you have all the other thousands of feet of wire carrying that signal. The power would already be contaminated by noise, degration, and so forth. There is no way a 4ft power cable can drastically alter the incoming power in a way that would even be audible.

I have tested a bunch of stock and aftermarket power cords from various manufacturers, and surprisingly about 50% of them are wired with the polarity reversed with US 3-prong plugs.  This mainly occurs with cords that are made in China.

 

I suggest everyone purchase a multimeter (if you don't already have one) and test your power cords for proper wiring.  You might be surprised by what you find.  Reversed polarity on a power cord is a potential electrocution hazard.  In my experience, it also makes a significant difference in the way your components perform.  There are actual measurement changes on the meters and scope of my P5 regenerator that result from connecting a properly wired power cable vs. an improperly wired cord.

 

For power cords in the U.S.A:

Hold the IEC end and the 3-prong end with all the contacts facing you, with the earth pins of both on the bottom.

The left (live) contacts of both should conduct, the right (neutral) contacts of both should conduct, and the earth pins of both should conduct.  If they do not, your power cord is a shock hazard and should not be used.  Fuses in components are wired to the live lead, and won't trigger in the event of a surge if the live wire from the wall is connected to the neutral at the IEC.  In addition, if you are using an improperly wired power cord with a switching supply you run the risk of permanently damaging it.

Edited by IPodPJ - 7/14/11 at 3:12pm

^ This is what I did with ICs.

The one upgraded power cord I have I use on my amp (tube) and it made an audible difference. Background is quieter and the amp has a livelier sound (better dynamics). I understand UE's argument but I also have heard differences between the issued cable and the upgrade. Not in the music per se, but in the sonic "environment" in which the music is made.

:) borrow and try, i find that most dealers are ok with letting you borrow cables though some may ask for a deposit

 

 

at least you guys in the states get access to thecableco 

Borrowing gear - of any kind, not just cables - is a bit of a trap.

A well-worn sales technique is to give a potential customer a gift. People usually reciprocate when given a gift, so it leads to increased sales. Borrowing something is a form of gift.

This isn't just audio - you'll find restaurants giving away free food, car dealers will sometimes let you test a car overnight, and much else. They count on their generosity to make a sale. And it works.

So be careful of taking a loaner. It's a play on your kindness more than anything else.

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Peete.