If I paid 3k for a power cord, I most definitely will chant myself to think there's a 3k improvement. With that said, I DIY my own power cord with quality parts. It's jewelry and I know I'm getting what I paid for. This way, I sleep better at night. Thank you for another honest and positive video.
"If I spent $3K, I want to be able hear the obvious improvement" -- I agree 100%, I'd better hear something clear right away. $3K is a lot of money and not worth it if I have to listen carefully to hear the difference. It is a great video! When I bought my amplifier, I did the same. The dealer did a comparison between the amplifier that I was planning to buy and the better one (same brand) which cost 2 times than the one that I was going to buy. I could not even hear any difference. I was pretty good in constraining myself from spending money on unnecessary thing.
@@taylorhickman84 "Burn in" That is another excuse that has no truth in it. If anything, whether it is an amp or speakers (especially speakers) it is more likely that what is happening is your ears are getting used to the new sound. Most quality amplifiers will sound very similar on a specific set of speakers.
@@swinde Re: "Burn in". Well, electrons do have mass & DC is a flow. That flow creates friction & thus heat (eg; a light filament). Does friction cause wear in a conductor?
Totally agree with you! I do the have an entry Level cable on my tube amp. It’s well shielded, big gage cooper wire and looks nice. That’s all I need from a power cable. It is enough to now that it’s not the weakest point in your system.
I use both standard and aftermarket power cables; some I purchased and others I have built myself. Personally I don't really hear a difference but appreciate how they enhance the appearance of my gear... LOL. Possibly those who are fortunate enough to hear a difference have much more acute hearing than my ancient ears, and I believe another segment may be enjoying audio enhancement from power cables via the placebo effect. The placebo effect has been well documented in influencing people as it is ingrained in many as being a part of human behavior. I truly enjoy your videos and love your sincere approach to sharing your love for audio.
To me it's always about making sensible "matching" decisions. I've tried power cable upgrades with my modest $2k amp and heard no difference. The thing is, if I'm going to spend $3k on a power cable, maybe I'd be better off with a $5k amp instead. If you have the motivation and resources to spend say $30k on an amp, then it might make sense to splurge on a significant power cable upgrade. Similarly when a salesperson tried to sell me on the idea of spend over a grand on speaker cable instead of the modestly priced Kimbers I was already using, I mentioned that maybe I'd be better off spending that money on the next step up in the Vandersteen line-up. I was pretty sure I'd hear a difference making that move, not sure sure about the speaker cables.
I'm with you! I'm of the belief - yes, I wrote belief (not a scientific term although has a lot to do with one's perspective) - of the belief that "fancy" (costly) power cords are just a way of adding a static sort of equalizer to one's system.
Thanks very much for your insights on this video. I just built my own Valve Amp. So, I purchased a cool looking power cable that was not overly expensive.
@@johnbravo7542 The stupid HI FI buffs, some not all is amazing if snake oil was sold they would by it. The problem is those that are not technical don't understand electrical theory are easily sucked in by makers claims and hype.
I really like the way you go with feeling difference… no matter the cost - you hear the difference or not! I thing that the more expensive audio the harder to get that significant differecne! Thanks!
Nice listening to you Thomas. I know what the journey is like. I bought power cables said to eliminate higher frequencies entering the amp's power supply. I feel there's a bit more dynamic range and the sound is less grainy. But it's marginal. And they were expensive enough. So I'm stopping there. But the speaker cables from the same supplier made a huge difference to imaging and bass weight. And signal cables make an audible difference too. Returning to power: I try to de-parasite sources of disturbances by using ferrite cores on cables to lights and other consumers as my power hygiene. Nice channel. All the best, Rob
Thanks Rob, I hear a lot of difference with interconnects and speaker cable too. Usually I suggest people to look into that only at the end after everything is done.
Great video, really honest and down to earth, I find the same thing, others say wow what a difference this makes and I can't hear it. They say I'm at fault. Hmmmm.
No,it just showed he’s an amateur. The act of swapping cables every ten minutes or so, is so stupid. Cables need to settle for days,left alone. If you then don’t like them, or think they are not worth the money, so be it.
Thank you Thomas. You do make a lot of sense and I have enjoyed your videos on hifi testing. I have not tried out power cables in my system myself, even though I have been tempted to try one or two out, as there are days when my system sounds not as 'nice' to listen to, as at other times, and I was hoping that there is a simple reason for it. BTW, to me , speaker cables do definitely make a difference. Anyway, thanks again, and keep those videos coming.
Your welcome, although I can't really hear a difference like speaker cables, my friends really believe in it. I wonder if it is placebo effect. Meaning, I am not hearing a difference because I don't want to hear a difference. If I did, I would end up buying a lot of power cables....things like this goes thru my head tooas I ponder on this subject.... Regardless, its not a big difference , even if there is a difference, like swapping speakers.
Thank you for a very honest video! I can't find any difference between cheapo and costly ones. Component cables: this is another story! But this is more of a give and take situation. If I get more bass definition, I might lose a bit of midrange transparency, that kind of thing.
Must say ive been into hifi for years and never fancied exotic power cables until recently . Ive bought 2 at 100 pounds each icluding new digital and analogue interconnects and some very cheap diy isolation devices for a new amplifier and dac. Hoping all these small tweaks add up to something . I do feel the upgraded analogue interconnects gave the bass a boost but i also added 1 power chord at the same time. I think the equipment isolaters add more focus and control to the sound.
Good and honest video Thomas... I don't know, and I have nothing against power cords of beefy quality, I have two on my amps, forget what they cost, but they were not that much, around $30 each, and they look cool. Anyhow... What I did, was to isolate my system to two 20 amp circuits. One for the amplifiers, and one for everything else. I do have line conditioners on the amps and one for the rest of the gear. The system is dead silent, other than the Schiit Audio Freya tube amp, she glows a little, but that is to be expected. I think most issues are behind the walls, and how and where you are hooked up, no issues here. But I do like good quality cables, $5 a foot is about my limit.
Thomas thanks for this video on power cables. I needed to get a power cable to replace the basic one i have. I was told that a more expensive cable was better. I bought a 10 gauge cable that was so thick that one end scratched a Dac i bought for about 1800 US dollars. I was so angry that i replaced the expensive cable with the original basic cable that i had first. I wished i had saw your video first. I have to say like you, i cannot hear any difference. Thanks for your honesty. I am returning that thick cable.
I am with you on this. I think you should have spoken about the gauge of the cable. I think that makes so much difference. Japanese brands like Yamaha and Marantz include 16 gauge cables with their amps. If we upgrade to 12 or 14 gauge cables, it makes a world of difference. You don't have to pay thousands of dollars on a power cable. For 100 or 200 bucks, you will be able to get the best out of your amp.
I am an electronics engineer since 1976 and old-school hands-on kinda guy. Thank you for your down-to-earth approach of this topic. Let me briefly explain why you could not hear the difference between power cords. It is because you have such good equipment! Let me explain with a power amp or DAC as examples. One third (if not more) of the components cost of this equipment is spent on the power supply. Top quality transformers, ample oversized top-grade smoothing capacitors, RF-filter at the mains input, high-quality DC-power supply regulators for the entry stages or the DAC section or amplifier driving stages and so on. These power components cost a LOT of money. The purpose of this is to go from your mains AC voltage to a VERY stable, filtered, noise-free DC power for the active circuitry in your audio equipment. Designing a good power supply is an art in itself. Now, the power cord takes mains AC voltage including all RF interference that it picked up into your equipment like light bulb dimmer noise, electric motors causing spikes (vacuum cleaner lights-out effect), air conditioner, WiFi RF pickup, radiostation FM signals, not to forget CellPhone interference. You DON'T WANT that interference and spikes and noise to enter your amplifier or DAC because its power supply needs to filter it out again. That is its main purpose! So what do you do with a gold-plated power cord? You make it EASIER for RF to get into your equipment and cause noise and spikes in the power supply. You are PAYING to WORSEN the situation! That is so illogical that it is funny. Why would you buy a 3K $ gold-plated power cord to ENHANCE the noise and RF-interference entering your VERY expensive equipment? The ONLY thing that really works is an RF-ferrite choke of good quality on the AC-power cord to REMOVE as much as possible that unwanted interference so it does not even get into the power supply to begin with. And the gold plating on a 220V AC power connection is completely unnecessary. What applies for the very sensitive leads of a phone cartridge (where we are talking about 5 mV (= 0,005 Volts) has completely NO measurable nor auditive impact when talking about mains (110 or 220 V). So buy a good normal power-cord with sufficiently thick copper wire size for minimal current-peaks-induced voltage drop over the cable and if it does not have a ferrite RF-filter, add a clamp-on one of good quality reputable name, no 2-cent one please, and enjoy the music. If someone tells you that the power cord is changing the sound of your 10k$ amplifier, then you have a serious problem but it is not electronic. Do not hear what others tell you that you should hear. I understand that people want to justify purchasing a 3k $ power cord as the latest and greatest invention. But it is make-believe from a company ripping you off with fairy-tale stories of how good their product is telling you that you they can hear the difference. Yeah right... I would also tell you that if I made 2990$ profit on a 3000$ cable. As a final remark please note that I am talking POWER cables only. Loudspeaker cables (as you correctly said in SOME cases) MAY make a difference. I can hear that too, but not always (like you correctly also mention.) And I DO agree that gold plating is good for low voltage connections like phono- and audio-signal carrying cables (RCA plugs and the like.) Thanks for your clear video and explanation. Much appreciated.
Well written with statements justified. Some of the stuff I’ve read here from others has left me gobsmacked and I didn’t know wether to laugh or cringe with amazement at what some people have bought into regarding power cables, audiophile fuses, and the like. Sellers of this stuff must have a great laugh when they make a product for a few dollars and sell it for a few thousand.
Your reply, along with some of my own 'research' (meaning internet) makes complete sense and validates one's use of common sense! Yes, improved cables for audio signal but, not for power - that investment was made by the manufacturer of my amp (and me, when I purchased it). In fact, I have a locally made amp - Rogue Audio. Corresponding with their very consumer-friendly staff, I inquired about a power cord upgrade. He suggested not making the upgrade and putting those funds towards additional albums/CD's and also explained how/why it wasn't needed.
I totally agree with you. It amazes me when people stick a $3000 dollar cable into a wall socket where on the other side, runs a 57cent/metre bulk power cord. For the same price, you can get something like an Isotek Aquarius and eliminate the noise out of the grid supply which is the real culprit to hifi. Maybe then a difference might be heard. Nether the less, I would still be buying the cheapest, quality cables because that's all you need, plugged into a decent Isotek unit or the like. It would be interesting to see you trial a Sigmas or an Aquarius and see your take on the subject, as I see you as yet, have not explored the matter.
Don't forget that the cable in the wall is a normal 2x 14awg for most of us in Canada... And sometime that wire is very long. The big diff would be to have a short cable going to the panel or to have a bigger cable like a 10awg with dedicated breaker for your audio system. So before buying a 3k$ power cable, make those in the wall changed and getting a dedicated breaker for your system. (maybe more then one depending of what you have)
I do hear differences on cables but are most of the times subtle. I have found that power cables making a difference is depending a lot on each components power supply and how effective that is, and on what kind of power distribution device you plug it on. Lately I have compared two streamers and tested 3 different power cables on them. The standard that comes with the device and two more upmarket ones (which I bought 10 years ago!). One device I could not hear any difference, the other device with the most "fancy" power cable I have got some noticeable improvements in tonality, detail and soundstage. Call me crazy but it sounds better to me! 😂
*I studied electronic weapons systems and electronic warefare, calibrated cables worked in EMI shielded rooms, our cutting edge surveillance receivers used standard power cables, no line filters on our special fitouts.* 😂🎉😂
I was confident my own soldered xlr signal cables were good, but I did not find a correct product to clean the contacts, so I decided to try and change them all for benchmark media xlr signal cables, and I was not ready for the difference. I am still processing what those changed, i think it shortened all the sounds, so that i hear more before and after the big hits. It makes me push louder because there is no discomfort in playing it louder.It's difficult to explain, maybe it's better, but I am not used to it yet. It's like I don't know my music anymore, lets re-discover it.
The best comment about power cables I've seen. Kudos! Same as you I use entry leverl cables (Oehlbach 1.5mm2, cca. 25€). I use them not because of imaginary sound improvement, but becaue they are very flexible, they provide firm connection with gear (plug design) and stable/constant current flow. And that's it.
Hi Thomas. I think that Power cables do make a difference but more so on higher current draw components. I believe you use Bel Canto 500s as power amps and as these are class D the effect is less pronounced. I have a Canary Audio Valve Amp and definitely more definition using my Merlin Cables Funnel Web. Also remember that unsheilded mains cables pump out EMI which other pieces of the system can pick up. The less of this interference the better. I also have silver wire HiFi Tuning Extreme fuses throughout my system (internal in equipment) and in my UK mains plugs. This made an 'audible' difference too (more detail and seperation). Keep up the good work. Please get some ProAc's for review especially as you love soft domes, though offer Ribbon options on some. To help you as know you, like me, buy used...... (Older recommendations: Standmount D2 or Tablette 50 Signature (owned both), flootstanders: d28 (my previous speakers), D30 (my current speakers) or D30R (Ribbon). New Recommendations: D30DS or D30RS (Ribbon), D48 or D48R and the big boys, the K6 and K8 (their flagship). Hope this helps you Thomas in getting some in. They are just so natural sounding. I am sure you would love them.
FOr this specific test, I was using a Mcintosh MC352 and I heard mix report on where to use the power cable. I do 'feel' the difference but I cannot put my hand on the difference. Tuning fuse, not many videos on it and the only ones I have seen are in Chinese so I am very curious about those too. ProAc? I had a chance to pick up the Proac Response 2 the other day and missed it because I hesitated. My friend told me the Proac D18 is better than the D28 for a mid size room because of bass control.
Thank you for an honest opinion. I can hear the difference between speaker cables but am not so certain about power cables. Even if power cables make a difference I don't believe the high price of the more expensive ones can be justified. I was once told by someone within the industry that some cable/interconnect manufacturers make up to 90% profit. The Hi-Fi press don't like to discuss this aspect of audio for some reason!
I buy 15yo used Kimber reference power cables at 1/5th of their original cost. I consider them pre burnt-in. I always notice when I add one. They tend to increase separation and the sense of depth. Even £25 used Kimber Yello cables will improve your sound. Just Deox-it all the contacts to get back to better than new.
That's exactly what I hear, the mains doesn't change the tone it does change the dimensional characteristics of the system it's not like an equipment change. The trick to these things in my opinion is to "forget" the upgrade and then at some point you think "I've not heard that sound like that before" etc etc not to flog yourself into hearing an immediate difference whatever it is you are changing.
I replaced all my power cables with 10 gauge cable I found on Ebay. Instantaneously I noticed my nose hairs were thicker and my eyebrows grew bushier!!!
Hi Thomas & Stereo I think it may be worth while suggestion for a groups of Audiophiles to have their hearing tested to see what frequency ranges they can actually hear ! i know some Audiophiles test their hearing intermittently to see if hearing capabilities deteriorates with age. In an audio test if one cannot hear subtle changes from one tone to another then that will be saying a lot. The auditor of the hearing test can confirm if you have heard a tone or not. The one in the soundproof booth with headphones does not know when the auditor is sending a sound frequency. The sound frequencies can be extremely subtle. This might be a step closer to have a controlled study on this issue.
Pretty convinced most improvements people may notice in a blind test is just from the manufacturer just doing a better soldering job, could be interesting to compare the same cheap cable but one has the ends stripped and redone/replaced by somebody who knows how to do a proper job and get a solid connection.
It's well established that any type of cables over $100 really are directional. That money only travels from your pocket into theirs, not the other way.
Actually quite easy to resolve all audio questions. Stop reading and start listening! Like it? Buy it!!! Regardless if it is amps, speakers, cables or others.
lol, okay maybe not the $5 then but one of the better cables you use. I could not hear a difference from power cords in my system for quite a while. As my system improved over time the difference became more noticable. It's not a problem to pass a blind test 100% now. But again, as some people commented here, I use tube amps...
Hey Thomas huge fan of your channel and Sean's and zeaos and of course Steve G , I just bought the audioquest NRG-Y3 3 pole power cable(130.00 bucks) for my Pioneer elite Hi-res class A/B receiver 85watts rms it's a 799.00 U.S. amp now you can get for 600.00 so no super high end but I'm about to do my review on the audioquest power cable I call myself the stereo bargin file, I've been a stereo-phile since 1989 I'm also a electrian and maintenance man at a local factory , My only problem is the fuse inside your amp is very small and unless you change that also I don't see how it's better power unless the damping of the the material on power cord shields less interference , about to give my honest opion on my system and on my ears all audioquest inner connects and speaker wire , which they all made a huge difference so far we will see -soon
Thank you for your honest opinion about high-end audio power cables. I too, am skeptical of their benefits. Don't want to spend an enormous amount of money for a fat electrical plug that does nothing to improve a system's sound.
Hi-Fi industy people say your cable needs "aging", so that you listen to the cable not for a few minutes but for 1-2 years. If you are getting familiar with the real effect or placebo, it is hard to plug out the cable and replace it into 5 bucks cheap one. Thank you for your nice video! Warm greetings from Korea, as a hi-fi freak, but luckily not that much crazy.^^
I don’t know about $3,000.00 power cables and I’m not an electrician however as a plumber I can understand it somewhat. If I have a 1/2 inch water supply into the house and 1/2 inch mains through out the house and run multiple faucets at once I will probably see the the amount of water decrease out of the faucets. Now if I keep the original 1/2 inch water supply however I increase the mains to 3/4 or even 1 inch and open the same faucets the water coming out of the faucets will not decrease as much because by increasing the pipe size allows more water to be stored. Same pressure but more water available at the point of exit.
Hi, as someone that has just started this hobby a few years ago a $3000 cable is more than my current system!!! I like your wise words and respect for a brand/product you care nothing for. There is a youtube video of extreme Japanese audiophiles and one guy hooked up a circuit directly to the grid... maybe that when something like this comes into play?!? I think 3 grand would be better spent on a few bits of acoustic foam or a comfy chair imo. Keep up the good work!! Subscribed :)
Thank you for the insightful conclusion on power cable. But I did find a difference after replacinng the fuse of my DAC with an audiophile fuse, as it sounds richer and deeper. Have you tried changing fuses?
I respect the attitude of simply using your own senses and reject the science if necessary. Today there are so many very highly motivated people, chiefly interested in the appearance of being right on the internet, that there is little point in engaging in discussion with them. They have no qualms about acting in very bad faith and I suspect they will lie and misrepresent things if it serves their ideology.
Hi Thomas, the first thing I do before I make a significant purchase of say a high end amplifier/preamp is to directly call the manufacturer and have a lengthy discussion and listen to THEIR opinion and advice. Unless one is in a known area of unreliable electricity or located in or near a powerplant or high tension wires they suggest to plug your AC power cord supplied into the wall and leave it alone. Why? Because all that money you spend on that equipment the engineering is integrated and supplied internally. No external conditioners or expensive cords. The only requirements in hifi excellence for electronics are to SHIELD from RF and hum protection from nearby components or a high static to your system so it plays QUIET. Perhaps the best thing for us to do is if you are in an area that has strong electrical storms is to use AC protection to simply preserve our equipment. Have faith in what you have already paid for, the cable industry are all "high fiving" each other behind our backs.
The way I see it is if your coming from the wall, then what difference does it make in the last few feet to have anything better in wire than what is in your house? As long as your power cable is of good awg 14 or large with good insulation. If your coming from a powerplant or conditioner then a well made cable should help. Myself I use silver plated copper braided wire with a shield at 12 awg. There is plenty of military grade wire out there on the used market for a few bucks a foot. Buy yourself good to high quality ends and you will have one great cable!
Very Interesting topic. I like to talk about why I buy expensive cables too. Sometimes I found it hard to explain in sheer description. How about Instead of "audio", I put it in a "visual" way to share my experience? When the picture of a fish is taken. The better camera is able to show the detail of each scale. while the cheaper one seeing less or blurry. For professional advice..."ask Thomas :)" , if I wanted to pursue the effect of realism, like the luster on the scale, the embossing contour... Is it important to pay attention to luminosity? So it makes me thinking of the cables are playing their rode in tuning, just like lighting in photograph. Do I want see a picture of a lively fish but seeing less scale or do I want to see every single scale but still a "dead fish" ? I enjoy cables that enhance the holographic image and make the singer alive in my room. This image is invaluable to me.
Very good, informative, Thomas. I like your logical, objective approach to testing, and judgment. Power cables to me are a bit new, and I was thinking of getting such a power cable. Myself, I believe more in speaker wires, and interconnect cables RCA, than I do with a very expensive power cable. I was wondering, however, what your expert, experienced opinion is on a power supply for home audio; is a power supply necessary? I do not want to spend an enormous amount of money, so are there a moderately priced ones that you can suggest? Thank you for your consideration, and any advice that you can provide.
For my hometheater, I have a belkin power conditioner. However, for my home stereo system, I have dedicated power jacks that I have installed by asking an electrician to come in. Thanks!
Every set up is different. If you have other cables that run close to your power cables, you may hear more noise. You may have a set up where power and signal cables are already well separated. It seems expensive power cables focus on shielding.
I don’t hear it also, though I have not had the chance to hear a 3k power cable. I hear a difference when I use a power conditioner. I have one from Xindac and one from General Electric, the last one is a ups with power regenerator onboard, it makes a new clean signal from your existing signal, you can defenatly hear the diffrence if your signal was bad in the firstplace offcoarse.
what makes a difference is the wiring in your house, you want a dedicated line to your stereo using 10awg wire with a Hospital Grade receptacle for each amplifier.
Hi you are right about to try bigger sample but what you should absolutely try is to listen to your power cables in another environnement. The biggest différence I heard was a Power cord was removing a « hum » in my second home. Also my expériences is that there are more audible differences between a free power cable and a 150€ entry level power cord than differences between an entry level one and a high end. I heard a demonstration made by Nordost on a very expensive Moon and KEF equipment. I was more surprise by there entry level. It was subtil , it was like changing a source. (Comparing 2 different CD players on the same amp)
i think that important elements in cables are the connectors. I have the feeling that the quality of contacts can impact the sound. Between them a good of the shelf bulk cable should be enough. I understand that shielded cables could give some advantages with digital sources ? i am going to try one soon.
Between my breaker panel and the receptacles my stuff is plugged into there's roughly 40 feet of "non high-end" power cable. A chain is *always* as strong as its weakest link.
I've never personally listened a stereo system with Nordost cables but I've consistently heard they're over-priced and tend to impart an overly bright, analytical, and sterile sound. I think there are better options available if you already own high-end components and have good power conditioning (i.e. HiDiamond P4, Mojo Audio Enigma SE with Furutech FI-50 NCF connectors, Furutech NanoFlux NCF Power Cord). Also, if you have a high-end digital front-end, the Furutech Flux-50 NCF is amazing. It makes digital sound almost analog!
I remember the good old days, when I started to upgrade my audio set, over 65 years ago. When snake oil did not exist. Even Luxman, had standard power cables fixed. I often wonder, why the bottle neck of my beer, still is the same?
What about your own solar panel farm in the garden, balkony or rooftop? Best own pur power from the sun! Hope i did not trigger some audiophile that now has crazy thoughts :-)
Power cables are really part of the "Law of diminishing returns." They do work and can work wonders, but there is a synergy required, IMO. That cable looks like something you plug a lawn mower into. Lo.
The most difference I've ever noticed with power in terms of cables was with something i could physically feel. The lawnmower. I put on a thicker power cable and the lawnmower was much more powerful and I could feel it. Thinner cable not so much. So, more power effected it, no doubt, but other than feeling it I wouldn't have seen a difference. With audio better cables probably allow for a cleaner transfer, however, probably not noticeable to our ears. if that's true, then yes, it made a difference, but no not a difference worth overspending on.
Having said that, I will always change out thin, cheap power cables. So im good with spending under 200 or power cables and I think after that you start to hit that wall of diminishing return.
With gear, any gear that is broken in, the difference should be immediately apparent when interjected into a system one is familiar with. This has been my findings after many many years of buying and selling audio gear.
I just upgraded my standard cables with chord signature and nordost valhallad.... The difference for me was very obvious. The sound was way more punchy, soundstage felt bigger and definitely the details feel more sharp. So for me spending a good amount of money cable makes a difference. But also it does depend on your system my system definitely shows the subtle differences when changing cable.
@johnholmes I assure you, it is not placebo. I was a cynic at first. But a good quality power cable can make a massive difference, try a chord Sarum or signature in your system and then tell me you can't hear a massive difference. It's either you have tried lesser cables, your system may not be mature enough to benefit from those upgrades or you just never tried it to test it seriously. One of the first standard upgrades for any hifi is component is power, so why is it so surprising that an upgrade or manipulation of, the mains, which is the very first entry point of electricity into the system would be a placebo?! My friend I promise you, power above all interconnects can have a big difference. In my experience the benefits decline as you move up the chain but mains power, definitely a game changer
Great video! :-) Two comments: 1) I think that one shall think about if the extra money for a cable would be used better on an upgrade of your player / amplifier 2) Here is a reason, that even electronic engineers would accept, on why there may be a difference. Any AC signal do make some sort of noise and there are not much distance between the signal cables and the power cable. So a shielding may reduce the noise in the low voltage signal cables.
Thanks, I always think money is better spend on other components beside the cables. Only touch on cable at the end when the foundation of the system is solid and even then...
So pleased with your honest opinion on power cords cables.i have a friend of mine who has spent many thousands of £ on his equipment example Bryston amps and top of range pmc speakers.which sounds superb but regarding his cable setup i and another friend were present when we were demonstrated different power cords that cost many hundreds of £ that he had accumulated over time and in all honesty we both could not notice any difference compared to the equipments original power cords but my friend who owend the equipment were convinced that he could clearly tell the difference.i suppose it must be hard when you have very expensive stereo or A/V equipment that after a while it is easy to fall into a trap as to make something sound better than it already is or could be.now im not saying that there isn't a differance but for me i just couldn't hear it .BY the way great vlog really enjoying the information.big thumbs up👍😀and I have just subbed your channel
I feel like the black sheep in my audiophile friends. All of them can hear a difference except me. I believe sincerely your friend can hear a difference and I believe you too that you cannot. I am in the same boat. I think that is why there is so many debate on cables. Thanks for the comment.
I don't use power conditioner as I don't like the clean sound I get from it. In Canada, we do have good electricity so not too worry. Having said that, I do have an Emotiva power bar.
It will make a difference under specific circumstances. For example if your wall outlet is 20 amps vs the typical 15 amps. Larger guage power cable can take advantage of that. Your cheap $5 power cable is most like 14 awg or 16 awg. Can't pull 20amps with that. Then It has to do with the power amp. If you have a heavy duty power amp that can pull a full 20 amp from the wall with bass heavy music, then the power cable will make a difference. Listening to acoustic or classical music will not pull that kind of power from the wall even if the amp can at peak.
Many audiophiles with enough money do not mind the diminishing returns....as long as the sound is a little "better" and that cool factor. It's a slippery slope though!
The romex in the wall is copper it's decent quality the best thing to do is put dedicated 12awg wire in the wall to a circuit and a high current outlet then do your cables
Your video fits perfectly to my opinion about power cables. Power cable has to be correct in size (gauge) vs current/power requirements perfectly fitted to plugs and fully safe in terms of electricity and electric cabling rules. SO the best quality by lower investment is the best solution (in my opinion). People are saying this is first meter of cable which is seen by amplifier so has to be perfect. But from the other side this is last piece of cable from source (electricpower station) so if current is demolished by km/miles of system plus all trafos between what this piece of cable can improve ? OK this is we call here "academic(al)" discussion and if somebody hear the difference and is rich enough - why not - his money - but in general good quality cable correctly sized to amp/watts/volts with solid and well done plugs has to be more than enough.
Power cords are like tone controls, they can either enhance or detract from the sound...it all depends on the particular components used and where you place your power cable(s). Caution must always be used when mixing or matching various cables! It is also wise to change them in or out incrementally to discern whatever changes. I currently have a power cord on my amplifier and power conditioner, but used nowhere else. A noticeable improvement of dynamics was the biggest change with a darker/silent background. Cheers!
@@MrsZambeziJust because you don't hear it, does not mean I don't hear it. It depends on how resolving your system is and where you place your power cables. Just like various animals can hear and see things we cannot...hilarious. They can't.
I would agree some people can become obsessive and some get carried away looking for the holy grail and the cost of power cable is a rip of its only 1 meter long and the socket from your house to the power station is many miles long.
Hi personally I think the power cable that comes with a hifi component is going to work well and designed for the job , as you say how can an extra metre of superior power cable make a difference I would say it doesn’t , some people have a dedicated power supply from the fuse box for home audio / cinema , does this make a difference I don’t know . But for the every day joe buying a expensive power cable that is plugged in as normal seems pointless , but if this makes you feel happy go for it . I think the only time to upgrade your power cable if the original has stopped working or damaged . If you do then get a shielded type none expensive , that would be the only benefit :)
A dedicated line gives you some protection from line noise. Hi end components usually come without a power cable, budget components include a basic cable that is not optimized for the specific component; it is cheap, because people spending 1000 on an amp won’t be happy to know that 100 was for the cable. Those who value cables will want to choose, so the cable included will be wasted.
I have normal computer cables . Maybe someday ill try and compare some audiophile power cables . For now id rather buy some other power accesories like Enacom harmonix AC filter
Your pc power cables are probably constructed better and safer than most 'high end' power cables. But, your unconscious brain might tell you otherwise if read the advertisement or you like the color and braided sleef. If you hear a significant difference, probably something else is going on. Either way, everyone is free to freeze and levitate their cables as they wish.
Thomas, I agree completely. I need to hear and obvious and immediate difference or it is out. I rarely do. I bought some good cables years and years ago and still use them with great results. I have had new ones on loan and hear no improvement. It is way too easy to fool yourself in this hobby.
If I paid 3k for a power cord, I most definitely will chant myself to think there's a 3k improvement. With that said, I DIY my own power cord with quality parts. It's jewelry and I know I'm getting what I paid for. This way, I sleep better at night. Thank you for another honest and positive video.
What is the name of your DIY power cable?
@@martinmbokazi8372 Belden 82803 power cable with Rhoderium plugs by IEGO.
@@chibonics101 Thank you. What size fuse do you use?. Is it 13a or 15a ?
@@martinmbokazi8372 I'm using US plugs so there is no fuse inside like the UK ones.
@Baz Many thanks and fully appreciates
"If I spent $3K, I want to be able hear the obvious improvement" -- I agree 100%, I'd better hear something clear right away. $3K is a lot of money and not worth it if I have to listen carefully to hear the difference. It is a great video! When I bought my amplifier, I did the same. The dealer did a comparison between the amplifier that I was planning to buy and the better one (same brand) which cost 2 times than the one that I was going to buy. I could not even hear any difference. I was pretty good in constraining myself from spending money on unnecessary thing.
but they take 200 hours to burn in lolz
@@taylorhickman84
"Burn in" That is another excuse that has no truth in it. If anything, whether it is an amp or speakers (especially speakers) it is more likely that what is happening is your ears are getting used to the new sound. Most quality amplifiers will sound very similar on a specific set of speakers.
@@swinde Re: "Burn in". Well, electrons do have mass & DC is a flow. That flow creates friction & thus heat (eg; a light filament). Does friction cause wear in a conductor?
Thank you so much for your honesty! I agree with you if you can't hear any improvement in five minutes then it's not worth the investment.
A very helpful video Thomas !
Thank you for posting
Love these videos and Thomas' honesty and opinions. Subscribed.
Absolutely lovely presentation. You couldn't possibly be more honest... or more helpful. Thank you!!!
You do an awesome job Thomas thanks a lot for the videos and time you put into it , the more communication the better we are informed
Thanks for the feedback.
A very philosophical explanation. Very wise. 👍
Totally agree with you! I do the have an entry Level cable on my tube amp. It’s well shielded, big gage cooper wire and looks nice. That’s all I need from a power cable. It is enough to now that it’s not the weakest point in your system.
I use both standard and aftermarket power cables; some I purchased and others I have built myself. Personally I don't really hear a difference but appreciate how they enhance the appearance of my gear... LOL. Possibly those who are fortunate enough to hear a difference have much more acute hearing than my ancient ears, and I believe another segment may be enjoying audio enhancement from power cables via the placebo effect. The placebo effect has been well documented in influencing people as it is ingrained in many as being a part of human behavior. I truly enjoy your videos and love your sincere approach to sharing your love for audio.
To me it's always about making sensible "matching" decisions. I've tried power cable upgrades with my modest $2k amp and heard no difference. The thing is, if I'm going to spend $3k on a power cable, maybe I'd be better off with a $5k amp instead. If you have the motivation and resources to spend say $30k on an amp, then it might make sense to splurge on a significant power cable upgrade.
Similarly when a salesperson tried to sell me on the idea of spend over a grand on speaker cable instead of the modestly priced Kimbers I was already using, I mentioned that maybe I'd be better off spending that money on the next step up in the Vandersteen line-up. I was pretty sure I'd hear a difference making that move, not sure sure about the speaker cables.
I'm with you! I'm of the belief - yes, I wrote belief (not a scientific term although has a lot to do with one's perspective) - of the belief that "fancy" (costly) power cords are just a way of adding a static sort of equalizer to one's system.
Thanks very much for your insights on this video. I just built my own Valve Amp. So, I purchased a cool looking power cable that was not overly expensive.
For $3K, the difference should be so obvious that it knocks you out of your chair.
WORD!
Frank Black it does knock the distributor out of his chair,because he can't believe someone would spend that amount on a power cable.
@@johnbravo7542
L😂L
@@johnbravo7542 The stupid HI FI buffs, some not all is amazing if snake oil was sold they would by it.
The problem is those that are not technical don't understand electrical theory are easily sucked in by makers claims and hype.
@@itsonlyme9938,Very true.
I really like the way you go with feeling difference… no matter the cost - you hear the difference or not! I thing that the more expensive audio the harder to get that significant differecne! Thanks!
Nice listening to you Thomas. I know what the journey is like. I bought power cables said to eliminate higher frequencies entering the amp's power supply. I feel there's a bit more dynamic range and the sound is less grainy. But it's marginal. And they were expensive enough. So I'm stopping there. But the speaker cables from the same supplier made a huge difference to imaging and bass weight. And signal cables make an audible difference too. Returning to power: I try to de-parasite sources of disturbances by using ferrite cores on cables to lights and other consumers as my power hygiene. Nice channel. All the best, Rob
Thanks Rob, I hear a lot of difference with interconnects and speaker cable too. Usually I suggest people to look into that only at the end after everything is done.
Great video, really honest and down to earth, I find the same thing, others say wow what a difference this makes and I can't hear it. They say I'm at fault. Hmmmm.
Thank you for the honest and objective review. It's appreciated and will likely save me money down the road.
No,it just showed he’s an amateur. The act of swapping cables every ten minutes or so, is so stupid. Cables need to settle for days,left alone. If you then don’t like them, or think they are not worth the money, so be it.
Thank you for this very honest review!
Thank you Thomas. You do make a lot of sense and I have enjoyed your videos on hifi testing. I have not tried out power cables in my system myself, even though I have been tempted to try one or two out, as there are days when my system sounds not as 'nice' to listen to, as at other times, and I was hoping that there is a simple reason for it. BTW, to me , speaker cables do definitely make a difference. Anyway, thanks again, and keep those videos coming.
Your welcome, although I can't really hear a difference like speaker cables, my friends really believe in it. I wonder if it is placebo effect. Meaning, I am not hearing a difference because I don't want to hear a difference. If I did, I would end up buying a lot of power cables....things like this goes thru my head tooas I ponder on this subject.... Regardless, its not a big difference , even if there is a difference, like swapping speakers.
Thank you for a very honest video! I can't find any difference between cheapo and costly ones. Component cables: this is another story! But this is more of a give and take situation. If I get more bass definition, I might lose a bit of midrange transparency, that kind of thing.
Very much appreciate your integrity Thomas.
Must say ive been into hifi for years and never fancied exotic power cables until recently . Ive bought 2 at 100 pounds each icluding new digital and analogue interconnects and some very cheap diy isolation devices for a new amplifier and dac. Hoping all these small tweaks add up to something . I do feel the upgraded analogue interconnects gave the bass a boost but i also added 1 power chord at the same time. I think the equipment isolaters add more focus and control to the sound.
Good and honest video Thomas... I don't know, and I have nothing against power cords of beefy quality, I have two on my amps, forget what they cost, but they were not that much, around $30 each, and they look cool. Anyhow... What I did, was to isolate my system to two 20 amp circuits. One for the amplifiers, and one for everything else. I do have line conditioners on the amps and one for the rest of the gear. The system is dead silent, other than the Schiit Audio Freya tube amp, she glows a little, but that is to be expected. I think most issues are behind the walls, and how and where you are hooked up, no issues here. But I do like good quality cables, $5 a foot is about my limit.
A great review about power cables!
My respect, Thomas
good honest review
Thomas thanks for this video on power cables. I needed to get a power cable to replace the basic one i have. I was told that a more expensive cable was better. I bought a 10 gauge cable that was so thick that one end scratched a Dac i bought for about 1800 US dollars. I was so angry that i replaced the expensive cable with the original basic cable that i had first. I wished i had saw your video first. I have to say like you, i cannot hear any difference. Thanks for your honesty. I am returning that thick cable.
Thanks for info always been on fence about this
Nice video. Subbed. Wish I could see what's under that yellow wrap!
I am with you on this. I think you should have spoken about the gauge of the cable. I think that makes so much difference. Japanese brands like Yamaha and Marantz include 16 gauge cables with their amps. If we upgrade to 12 or 14 gauge cables, it makes a world of difference. You don't have to pay thousands of dollars on a power cable. For 100 or 200 bucks, you will be able to get the best out of your amp.
The only difference is the higher current rating and negligible resistance increase.
I am an electronics engineer since 1976 and old-school hands-on kinda guy. Thank you for your down-to-earth approach of this topic.
Let me briefly explain why you could not hear the difference between power cords.
It is because you have such good equipment!
Let me explain with a power amp or DAC as examples. One third (if not more) of the components cost of this equipment is spent on the power supply. Top quality transformers, ample oversized top-grade smoothing capacitors, RF-filter at the mains input, high-quality DC-power supply regulators for the entry stages or the DAC section or amplifier driving stages and so on. These power components cost a LOT of money.
The purpose of this is to go from your mains AC voltage to a VERY stable, filtered, noise-free DC power for the active circuitry in your audio equipment.
Designing a good power supply is an art in itself.
Now, the power cord takes mains AC voltage including all RF interference that it picked up into your equipment like light bulb dimmer noise, electric motors causing spikes (vacuum cleaner lights-out effect), air conditioner, WiFi RF pickup, radiostation FM signals, not to forget CellPhone interference.
You DON'T WANT that interference and spikes and noise to enter your amplifier or DAC because its power supply needs to filter it out again. That is its main purpose! So what do you do with a gold-plated power cord? You make it EASIER for RF to get into your equipment and cause noise and spikes in the power supply. You are PAYING to WORSEN the situation!
That is so illogical that it is funny. Why would you buy a 3K $ gold-plated power cord to ENHANCE the noise and RF-interference entering your VERY expensive equipment? The ONLY thing that really works is an RF-ferrite choke of good quality on the AC-power cord to REMOVE as much as possible that unwanted interference so it does not even get into the power supply to begin with. And the gold plating on a 220V AC power connection is completely unnecessary. What applies for the very sensitive leads of a phone cartridge (where we are talking about 5 mV (= 0,005 Volts) has completely NO measurable nor auditive impact when talking about mains (110 or 220 V).
So buy a good normal power-cord with sufficiently thick copper wire size for minimal current-peaks-induced voltage drop over the cable and if it does not have a ferrite RF-filter, add a clamp-on one of good quality reputable name, no 2-cent one please, and enjoy the music.
If someone tells you that the power cord is changing the sound of your 10k$ amplifier, then you have a serious problem but it is not electronic. Do not hear what others tell you that you should hear. I understand that people want to justify purchasing a 3k $ power cord as the latest and greatest invention. But it is make-believe from a company ripping you off with fairy-tale stories of how good their product is telling you that you they can hear the difference. Yeah right... I would also tell you that if I made 2990$ profit on a 3000$ cable.
As a final remark please note that I am talking POWER cables only. Loudspeaker cables (as you correctly said in SOME cases) MAY make a difference. I can hear that too, but not always (like you correctly also mention.) And I DO agree that gold plating is good for low voltage connections like phono- and audio-signal carrying cables (RCA plugs and the like.)
Thanks for your clear video and explanation. Much appreciated.
Well written with statements justified. Some of the stuff I’ve read here from others has left me gobsmacked and I didn’t know wether to laugh or cringe with amazement at what some people have bought into regarding power cables, audiophile fuses, and the like. Sellers of this stuff must have a great laugh when they make a product for a few dollars and sell it for a few thousand.
Your reply, along with some of my own 'research' (meaning internet) makes complete sense and validates one's use of common sense! Yes, improved cables for audio signal but, not for power - that investment was made by the manufacturer of my amp (and me, when I purchased it). In fact, I have a locally made amp - Rogue Audio. Corresponding with their very consumer-friendly staff, I inquired about a power cord upgrade. He suggested not making the upgrade and putting those funds towards additional albums/CD's and also explained how/why it wasn't needed.
Wrong, it`s because he tryed wrong cables. Almost all high-end cables is a hoax but that doesn`t mean there is nothing to it.
I totally agree with you. It amazes me when people stick a $3000 dollar cable into a wall socket where on the other side, runs a 57cent/metre bulk power cord. For the same price, you can get something like an Isotek Aquarius and eliminate the noise out of the grid supply which is the real culprit to hifi. Maybe then a difference might be heard. Nether the less, I would still be buying the cheapest, quality cables because that's all you need, plugged into a decent Isotek unit or the like. It would be interesting to see you trial a Sigmas or an Aquarius and see your take on the subject, as I see you as yet, have not explored the matter.
Don't forget that the cable in the wall is a normal 2x 14awg for most of us in Canada... And sometime that wire is very long. The big diff would be to have a short cable going to the panel or to have a bigger cable like a 10awg with dedicated breaker for your audio system. So before buying a 3k$ power cable, make those in the wall changed and getting a dedicated breaker for your system. (maybe more then one depending of what you have)
I do hear differences on cables but are most of the times subtle. I have found that power cables making a difference is depending a lot on each components power supply and how effective that is, and on what kind of power distribution device you plug it on. Lately I have compared two streamers and tested 3 different power cables on them. The standard that comes with the device and two more upmarket ones (which I bought 10 years ago!). One device I could not hear any difference, the other device with the most "fancy" power cable I have got some noticeable improvements in tonality, detail and soundstage. Call me crazy but it sounds better to me! 😂
It is just placebo. It makes zero difference.
Thank you for video!
*I studied electronic weapons systems and electronic warefare, calibrated cables worked in EMI shielded rooms, our cutting edge surveillance receivers used standard power cables, no line filters on our special fitouts.* 😂🎉😂
I was confident my own soldered xlr signal cables were good, but I did not find a correct product to clean the contacts, so I decided to try and change them all for benchmark media xlr signal cables, and I was not ready for the difference. I am still processing what those changed, i think it shortened all the sounds, so that i hear more before and after the big hits. It makes me push louder because there is no discomfort in playing it louder.It's difficult to explain, maybe it's better, but I am not used to it yet. It's like I don't know my music anymore, lets re-discover it.
The best comment about power cables I've seen. Kudos!
Same as you I use entry leverl cables (Oehlbach 1.5mm2, cca. 25€). I use them not because of imaginary sound improvement, but becaue they are very flexible, they provide firm connection with gear (plug design) and stable/constant current flow.
And that's it.
Hi Thomas. I think that Power cables do make a difference but more so on higher current draw components. I believe you use Bel Canto 500s as power amps and as these are class D the effect is less pronounced. I have a Canary Audio Valve Amp and definitely more definition using my Merlin Cables Funnel Web. Also remember that unsheilded mains cables pump out EMI which other pieces of the system can pick up. The less of this interference the better. I also have silver wire HiFi Tuning Extreme fuses throughout my system (internal in equipment) and in my UK mains plugs. This made an 'audible' difference too (more detail and seperation).
Keep up the good work. Please get some ProAc's for review especially as you love soft domes, though offer Ribbon options on some. To help you as know you, like me, buy used...... (Older recommendations: Standmount D2 or Tablette 50 Signature (owned both), flootstanders: d28 (my previous speakers), D30 (my current speakers) or D30R (Ribbon). New Recommendations: D30DS or D30RS (Ribbon), D48 or D48R and the big boys, the K6 and K8 (their flagship).
Hope this helps you Thomas in getting some in. They are just so natural sounding. I am sure you would love them.
FOr this specific test, I was using a Mcintosh MC352 and I heard mix report on where to use the power cable. I do 'feel' the difference but I cannot put my hand on the difference. Tuning fuse, not many videos on it and the only ones I have seen are in Chinese so I am very curious about those too. ProAc? I had a chance to pick up the Proac Response 2 the other day and missed it because I hesitated. My friend told me the Proac D18 is better than the D28 for a mid size room because of bass control.
Thank you for an honest opinion. I can hear the difference between speaker cables but am not so certain about power cables. Even if power cables make a difference I don't believe the high price of the more expensive ones can be justified. I was once told by someone within the industry that some cable/interconnect manufacturers make up to 90% profit. The Hi-Fi press don't like to discuss this aspect of audio for some reason!
I feel exactly the same.I met someone who makes interconnect for a living and he mentioned when it comes to brand name cables, the mark up is insane.
Very good video Thomas!
I buy 15yo used Kimber reference power cables at 1/5th of their original cost. I consider them pre burnt-in. I always notice when I add one. They tend to increase separation and the sense of depth. Even £25 used Kimber Yello cables will improve your sound. Just Deox-it all the contacts to get back to better than new.
That's exactly what I hear, the mains doesn't change the tone it does change the dimensional characteristics of the system it's not like an equipment change. The trick to these things in my opinion is to "forget" the upgrade and then at some point you think "I've not heard that sound like that before" etc etc not to flog yourself into hearing an immediate difference whatever it is you are changing.
I replaced all my power cables with 10 gauge cable I found on Ebay. Instantaneously I noticed my nose hairs were thicker and my eyebrows grew bushier!!!
That problem does my wife also have but it was a 4 gauge on her mp3. :-)
Hi Thomas & Stereo
I think it may be worth while suggestion for a groups of Audiophiles to have their hearing tested to see what frequency ranges they can actually hear ! i know some Audiophiles test their hearing intermittently to see if hearing capabilities deteriorates with age.
In an audio test if one cannot hear subtle changes from one tone to another then that will be saying a lot. The auditor of the hearing test can confirm if you have heard a tone or not. The one in the soundproof booth with headphones does not know when the auditor is sending a sound frequency. The sound frequencies can be extremely subtle.
This might be a step closer to have a controlled study on this issue.
I think some of them do actually. I know some of them don't care too much about super tweeters because they say they cannot hear beyond 10khz anymore.
Pretty convinced most improvements people may notice in a blind test is just from the manufacturer just doing a better soldering job, could be interesting to compare the same cheap cable but one has the ends stripped and redone/replaced by somebody who knows how to do a proper job and get a solid connection.
It's well established that any type of cables over $100 really are directional. That money only travels from your pocket into theirs, not the other way.
Actually quite easy to resolve all audio questions. Stop reading and start listening! Like it? Buy it!!! Regardless if it is amps, speakers, cables or others.
Another great UA-cam channel 👌🏽
Thomas - what would be a really nice experiment for us to see is to try this $5 power cord next time you go to your friend with a $300K system.
lol, nah, if anything goes wrong, I have to sell my house to pay for it :)
lol, okay maybe not the $5 then but one of the better cables you use. I could not hear a difference from power cords in my system for quite a while. As my system improved over time the difference became more noticable. It's not a problem to pass a blind test 100% now. But again, as some people commented here, I use tube amps...
Your friend probably forgot to recharge the battery that you have covered up in that cable,that's why you can't hear the difference Thomas :p
It's a impedance network.
Hahahahaha I was thinking the same, I was like oh no I know who made that cable
@@moandy6533 MIT
Good honest opinion !
Acoustic treatment is the only measure which makes a huge differents in sound quality. The rest is the top 1 percent.
A good speaker implied.
Hey Thomas huge fan of your channel and Sean's and zeaos and of course Steve G , I just bought the audioquest NRG-Y3 3 pole power cable(130.00 bucks) for my Pioneer elite Hi-res class A/B receiver 85watts rms it's a 799.00 U.S. amp now you can get for 600.00 so no super high end but I'm about to do my review on the audioquest power cable I call myself the stereo bargin file, I've been a stereo-phile since 1989 I'm also a electrian and maintenance man at a local factory , My only problem is the fuse inside your amp is very small and unless you change that also I don't see how it's better power unless the damping of the the material on power cord shields less interference , about to give my honest opion on my system and on my ears all audioquest inner connects and speaker wire , which they all made a huge difference so far we will see -soon
Hey, thanks for dropping by, can you link me your video when you upload your video?
Thank you for your honest opinion about high-end audio power cables. I too, am skeptical of their benefits. Don't want to spend an enormous amount of money for a fat electrical plug that does nothing to improve a system's sound.
Hi-Fi industy people say your cable needs "aging", so that you listen to the cable not for a few minutes but for 1-2 years. If you are getting familiar with the real effect or placebo, it is hard to plug out the cable and replace it into 5 bucks cheap one. Thank you for your nice video! Warm greetings from Korea, as a hi-fi freak, but luckily not that much crazy.^^
I don’t know about $3,000.00 power cables and I’m not an electrician however as a plumber I can understand it somewhat. If I have a 1/2 inch water supply into the house and 1/2 inch mains through out the house and run multiple faucets at once I will probably see the the amount of water decrease out of the faucets. Now if I keep the original 1/2 inch water supply however I increase the mains to 3/4 or even 1 inch and open the same faucets the water coming out of the faucets will not decrease as much because by increasing the pipe size allows more water to be stored. Same pressure but more water available at the point of exit.
Hi, as someone that has just started this hobby a few years ago a $3000 cable is more than my current system!!!
I like your wise words and respect for a brand/product you care nothing for. There is a youtube video of extreme Japanese audiophiles and one guy hooked up a circuit directly to the grid... maybe that when something like this comes into play?!?
I think 3 grand would be better spent on a few bits of acoustic foam or a comfy chair imo.
Keep up the good work!!
Subscribed :)
Yeah, best to spend on other stuff than the power cable if you are going to spend $3k.
😍ENJOYED THE REVIEWS AND I wonder if you have any updates on your views with two years more experience🤔🧐
You should try a pure sine wave inverter from a solar bank. Power is super clean.
Thank you for the insightful conclusion on power cable. But I did find a difference after replacinng the fuse of my DAC with an audiophile fuse, as it sounds richer and deeper. Have you tried changing fuses?
Please do 1 thing. Open up a normal fuse and open an audiophile fuse. If you find a difference I will be amazed.
I respect the attitude of simply using your own senses and reject the science if necessary. Today there are so many very highly motivated people, chiefly interested in the appearance of being right on the internet, that there is little point in engaging in discussion with them. They have no qualms about acting in very bad faith and I suspect they will lie and misrepresent things if it serves their ideology.
Hi Thomas, the first thing I do before I make a significant purchase of say a high end amplifier/preamp is to directly call the manufacturer and have a lengthy discussion and listen to THEIR opinion and advice. Unless one is in a known area of unreliable electricity or located in or near a powerplant or high tension wires they suggest to plug your AC power cord supplied into the wall and leave it alone. Why? Because all that money you spend on that equipment the engineering is integrated and supplied internally. No external conditioners or expensive cords. The only requirements in hifi excellence for electronics are to SHIELD from RF and hum protection from nearby components or a high static to your system so it plays QUIET. Perhaps the best thing for us to do is if you are in an area that has strong electrical storms is to use AC protection to simply preserve our equipment. Have faith in what you have already paid for, the cable industry are all "high fiving" each other behind our backs.
The way I see it is if your coming from the wall, then what difference does it make in the last few feet to have anything better in wire than what is in your house? As long as your power cable is of good awg 14 or large with good insulation. If your coming from a powerplant or conditioner then a well made cable should help. Myself I use silver plated copper braided wire with a shield at 12 awg.
There is plenty of military grade wire out there on the used market for a few bucks a foot. Buy yourself good to high quality ends and you will have one great cable!
Very Interesting topic.
I like to talk about why I buy expensive cables too. Sometimes I found it hard to explain in sheer description. How about Instead of "audio", I put it in a "visual" way to share my experience?
When the picture of a fish is taken. The better camera is able to show the detail of each scale. while the cheaper one seeing less or blurry. For professional advice..."ask Thomas :)" , if I wanted to pursue the effect of realism, like the luster on the scale, the embossing contour... Is it important to pay attention to luminosity? So it makes me thinking of the cables are playing their rode in tuning, just like lighting in photograph.
Do I want see a picture of a lively fish but seeing less scale or do I want to see every single scale but still a "dead fish" ?
I enjoy cables that enhance the holographic image and make the singer alive in my room. This image is invaluable to me.
Audio Drill Your analogy sucks and is kinda insulting to photographers.
Very good, informative, Thomas. I like your logical, objective approach to testing, and judgment. Power cables to me are a bit new, and I was thinking of getting such a power cable. Myself, I believe more in speaker wires, and interconnect cables RCA, than I do with a very expensive power cable. I was wondering, however, what your expert, experienced opinion is on a power supply for home audio; is a power supply necessary? I do not want to spend an enormous amount of money, so are there a moderately priced ones that you can suggest? Thank you for your consideration, and any advice that you can provide.
For my hometheater, I have a belkin power conditioner. However, for my home stereo system, I have dedicated power jacks that I have installed by asking an electrician to come in. Thanks!
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you.
Every set up is different. If you have other cables that run close to your power cables, you may hear more noise. You may have a set up where power and signal cables are already well separated. It seems expensive power cables focus on shielding.
I don’t hear it also, though I have not had the chance to hear a 3k power cable. I hear a difference when I use a power conditioner. I have one from Xindac and one from General Electric, the last one is a ups with power regenerator onboard, it makes a new clean signal from your existing signal, you can defenatly hear the diffrence if your signal was bad in the firstplace offcoarse.
You are like me I belive in what I see with my own eyes or hear with my own ears and yes certian cables can make a difference
Have you tested this by having someone switch cables without you knowing which was being used?
what makes a difference is the wiring in your house, you want a dedicated line to your stereo using 10awg wire with a Hospital Grade receptacle for each amplifier.
Yup, I have that.
Hi you are right about to try bigger sample but what you should absolutely try is to listen to your power cables in another environnement.
The biggest différence I heard was a Power cord was removing a « hum » in my second home. Also my expériences is that there are more audible differences between a free power cable and a 150€ entry level power cord than differences between an entry level one and a high end.
I heard a demonstration made by Nordost on a very expensive Moon and KEF equipment. I was more surprise by there entry level. It was subtil , it was like changing a source. (Comparing 2 different CD players on the same amp)
Bravo you are absolutely right.
i think that important elements in cables are the connectors. I have the feeling that the quality of contacts can impact the sound. Between them a good of the shelf bulk cable should be enough. I understand that shielded cables could give some advantages with digital sources ? i am going to try one soon.
Between my breaker panel and the receptacles my stuff is plugged into there's roughly 40 feet of "non high-end" power cable.
A chain is *always* as strong as its weakest link.
Me ears say this is not true. Unfortunately, I might add.
I tried a Nordost power cable. It certainly changed the sound. But I wasn't sure I liked the change.
I've never personally listened a stereo system with Nordost cables but I've consistently heard they're over-priced and tend to impart an overly bright, analytical, and sterile sound. I think there are better options available if you already own high-end components and have good power conditioning (i.e. HiDiamond P4, Mojo Audio Enigma SE with Furutech FI-50 NCF connectors, Furutech NanoFlux NCF Power Cord). Also, if you have a high-end digital front-end, the Furutech Flux-50 NCF is amazing. It makes digital sound almost analog!
LorenzoNW ... they got $30k - $40k cables! Awesome eh? Guess to be willing to purchase such cables the whole system better cost $1.5m. 😬
Love your reviews and break down of equipment. Are you in the GTA?
Thanks,I am in Montreal.
Any upgrade for me it has to wow me or it goes back
I remember the good old days, when I started to upgrade my audio set, over 65 years ago. When snake oil did not exist. Even Luxman, had standard power cables fixed. I often wonder, why the bottle neck of my beer, still is the same?
What about your own solar panel farm in the garden, balkony or rooftop? Best own pur power from the sun! Hope i did not trigger some audiophile that now has crazy thoughts :-)
Won't be powerful enough to power up an audiophile amp
What if the solar flares do interfere in the electron flow? :-)
Clouds will haze the audio signal, no good
Power cables are really part of the "Law of diminishing returns." They do work and can work wonders, but there is a synergy required, IMO.
That cable looks like something you plug a lawn mower into. Lo.
The most difference I've ever noticed with power in terms of cables was with something i could physically feel. The lawnmower. I put on a thicker power cable and the lawnmower was much more powerful and I could feel it. Thinner cable not so much. So, more power effected it, no doubt, but other than feeling it I wouldn't have seen a difference. With audio better cables probably allow for a cleaner transfer, however, probably not noticeable to our ears. if that's true, then yes, it made a difference, but no not a difference worth overspending on.
Having said that, I will always change out thin, cheap power cables. So im good with spending under 200 or power cables and I think after that you start to hit that wall of diminishing return.
Love your comments.
With gear, any gear that is broken in, the difference should be immediately apparent when interjected into a system one is familiar with. This has been my findings after many many years of buying and selling audio gear.
I just upgraded my standard cables with chord signature and nordost valhallad.... The difference for me was very obvious. The sound was way more punchy, soundstage felt bigger and definitely the details feel more sharp. So for me spending a good amount of money cable makes a difference. But also it does depend on your system my system definitely shows the subtle differences when changing cable.
placebo effect
@@johnholmes912 don’t try. Basic EE is more complicated than thinking you have ‘mature’ hearing
Chord signature? 1000$???
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
@johnholmes I assure you, it is not placebo. I was a cynic at first. But a good quality power cable can make a massive difference, try a chord Sarum or signature in your system and then tell me you can't hear a massive difference. It's either you have tried lesser cables, your system may not be mature enough to benefit from those upgrades or you just never tried it to test it seriously. One of the first standard upgrades for any hifi is component is power, so why is it so surprising that an upgrade or manipulation of, the mains, which is the very first entry point of electricity into the system would be a placebo?! My friend I promise you, power above all interconnects can have a big difference. In my experience the benefits decline as you move up the chain but mains power, definitely a game changer
@@johnholmes912 yes, during my medical years, I loved the effect.
Great video! :-)
Two comments:
1) I think that one shall think about if the extra money for a cable would be used better on an upgrade of your player / amplifier
2) Here is a reason, that even electronic engineers would accept, on why there may be a difference. Any AC signal do make some sort of noise and there are not much distance between the signal cables and the power cable. So a shielding may reduce the noise in the low voltage signal cables.
Thanks, I always think money is better spend on other components beside the cables. Only touch on cable at the end when the foundation of the system is solid and even then...
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for your great answer!
Exactly what I think, except if you have "cables" that only are fit for a door bell:-)
So pleased with your honest opinion on power cords cables.i have a friend of mine who has spent many thousands of £ on his equipment example Bryston amps and top of range pmc speakers.which sounds superb but regarding his cable setup i and another friend were present when we were demonstrated different power cords that cost many hundreds of £ that he had accumulated over time and in all honesty we both could not notice any difference compared to the equipments original power cords but my friend who owend the equipment were convinced that he could clearly tell the difference.i suppose it must be hard when you have very expensive stereo or A/V equipment that after a while it is easy to fall into a trap as to make something sound better than it already is or could be.now im not saying that there isn't a differance but for me i just couldn't hear it .BY the way great vlog really enjoying the information.big thumbs up👍😀and I have just subbed your channel
I feel like the black sheep in my audiophile friends. All of them can hear a difference except me. I believe sincerely your friend can hear a difference and I believe you too that you cannot. I am in the same boat. I think that is why there is so many debate on cables. Thanks for the comment.
I just posted a long comment on the video that addresses your question. LorenzoNW
Hi Thomas, I'm curious what do you use for a power strip ? Do you use a power conditioner ?
I don't use power conditioner as I don't like the clean sound I get from it. In Canada, we do have good electricity so not too worry. Having said that, I do have an Emotiva power bar.
It will make a difference under specific circumstances. For example if your wall outlet is 20 amps vs the typical 15 amps. Larger guage power cable can take advantage of that. Your cheap $5 power cable is most like 14 awg or 16 awg. Can't pull 20amps with that. Then It has to do with the power amp. If you have a heavy duty power amp that can pull a full 20 amp from the wall with bass heavy music, then the power cable will make a difference. Listening to acoustic or classical music will not pull that kind of power from the wall even if the amp can at peak.
Many audiophiles with enough money do not mind the diminishing returns....as long as the sound is a little "better" and that cool factor. It's a slippery slope though!
The romex in the wall is copper it's decent quality the best thing to do is put dedicated 12awg wire in the wall to a circuit and a high current outlet then do your cables
Your video fits perfectly to my opinion about power cables. Power cable has to be correct in size (gauge) vs current/power requirements perfectly fitted to plugs and fully safe in terms of electricity and electric cabling rules. SO the best quality by lower investment is the best solution (in my opinion). People are saying this is first meter of cable which is seen by amplifier so has to be perfect. But from the other side this is last piece of cable from source (electricpower station) so if current is demolished by km/miles of system plus all trafos between what this piece of cable can improve ? OK this is we call here "academic(al)" discussion and if somebody hear the difference and is rich enough - why not - his money - but in general good quality cable correctly sized to amp/watts/volts with solid and well done plugs has to be more than enough.
Power cords are like tone controls, they can either enhance or detract from the sound...it all depends on the particular components used and where you place your power cable(s). Caution must always be used when mixing or matching various cables! It is also wise to change them in or out incrementally to discern whatever changes. I currently have a power cord on my amplifier and power conditioner, but used nowhere else. A noticeable improvement of dynamics was the biggest change with a darker/silent background. Cheers!
You are like my buddies, they are expert at playing with power cords.
"Power cords are like tone controls, they can either enhance or detract from the sound"
Hilarious. They can't.
@@MrsZambeziJust because you don't hear it, does not mean I don't hear it. It depends on how resolving your system is and where you place your power cables. Just like various animals can hear and see things we cannot...hilarious. They can't.
@@DistroUserYou don't understand. There can be no differences to hear because power cables do not affect performance.
@@MrsZambezi That is what you think or believe...no point going further on the subject with you...Cheers!
Good review and the truth
2 Great points made...Power cords can be hit and miss for improvements. Dynaudio Speakers are still hard to drive.
Good man I’ve just cancelled my eBay order sometimes this hobby can become a illness
@Yuvi A where did you get the OCC Neotech cable and what was the gauge, did you braid them?
@Yuvi A Thanks!
I would agree some people can become obsessive and some get carried away
looking for the holy grail and the cost of power cable is a rip of its only 1 meter long and the socket from your house to the power station is many miles long.
me too ! just enough
Hi personally I think the power cable that comes with a hifi component is going to work well and designed for the job , as you say how can an extra metre of superior power cable make a difference I would say it doesn’t , some people have a dedicated power supply from the fuse box for home audio / cinema , does this make a difference I don’t know .
But for the every day joe buying a expensive power cable that is plugged in as normal seems pointless , but if this makes you feel happy go for it .
I think the only time to upgrade your power cable if the original has stopped working or damaged .
If you do then get a shielded type none expensive , that would be the only benefit :)
A dedicated line gives you some protection from line noise. Hi end components usually come without a power cable, budget components include a basic cable that is not optimized for the specific component; it is cheap, because people spending 1000 on an amp won’t be happy to know that 100 was for the cable. Those who value cables will want to choose, so the cable included will be wasted.
Great video, and my thoughts exactly. Before I spent $3K on a power cable, I would spend it on upgrading my equipment.
I have normal computer cables . Maybe someday ill try and compare some audiophile power cables . For now id rather buy some other power accesories like Enacom harmonix AC filter
It may be fun if you started by wrapping some tin foil around them, if my idea that it is only about shielding A/C noise, then it should work.
Your pc power cables are probably constructed better and safer than most 'high end' power cables. But, your unconscious brain might tell you otherwise if read the advertisement or you like the color and braided sleef. If you hear a significant difference, probably something else is going on. Either way, everyone is free to freeze and levitate their cables as they wish.
Thomas, I agree completely. I need to hear and obvious and immediate difference or it is out. I rarely do. I bought some good cables years and years ago and still use them with great results. I have had new ones on loan and hear no improvement. It is way too easy to fool yourself in this hobby.
I definitely am a believer
I thought about starting a small bizz In making very high end power cable
I like that process: Force to search for differences in the first 5 minutes if not there don't bother.