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I recently received a older pair of PS Audio Lab Cable series AC cords for my Densen B-350 mono-amps and a Shunyata Diamondback Platinum AC cord for my Densen B-250 preamp. The differences were immediate: cleaner; tighter, more refined bass; prior to replacing the power cords I heard noise when adjusting the volume, with the new cords the noise has disappeared. One note of concern is the soundstage has been pushed back and I'm not sure if I like it? My system consists of the aforementioned Densen amp and preamp, Kimber Hero inter-connect cable, Clear Day Double Shotgun speaker cable, Rega Apollo, and Wilson Sophia II's. I never thought that powercords would alter the sound. Boy was I wrong!
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I noticed the blacker background the most.
One effect of excessive RF noise is to push the sound-stage forward. Reducing the noise allows it to return to what your speakers are set up to deliver. You should also sense more spatial separation of instruments within the sound-stage on appropriate recordings.
I wonder how far people are deviating from the "Original" sound that was intended by the designers of audio gear.
Most components that I know of are designed, voiced, tested, and shipped with standard power cords.
Not to say its a bad thing or any real harm is being done, but I would love to hear comments from say a Benchmark DAC engineer who listens to one of their DAC's and it sounds unfamiliar due to an after market power cord.
Music Is The Bridge Between Heaven & Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋
I think your making a mute point; because that can be said about almost everything in highend.
Speakers are usually designed/voiced on electronics that the owner probably doesn't have; Amps/preamps are often designed/voiced on electronics that the end user probably doesn't own; there are many variable, including the room that are going to be different than what the "Original" Designer may have used to voice their equipment. If something is tweaked and it sounds better to the user, thats what's important.
Not really, in this case the owner does have the cord. And unlike complex electronics power cords are supposed to be an inert part of the chain...much like the solder on a joint. Designers of gear probably use a standard cord because they know its common [everyone has it] and its widely available and of course its cheap. For example if someone use a $1000 power cord to design and voice a DAC they could probably be sure that few customers would be able to hear what the DAC is supposed to sound like, unless they too bought that cord. Which is my point, what ever your gear sounds like with a standard power cord is what it is supposed to sound like...that is neutral. Changing a power cord is much like using an EQ to tweak the sound here or there...probably getting the most out of the component but tweaking the sound none the less. Having said all of this I must say that yes, I do use aftermarket power cords and even some home brew and do like the sound. But I always go back to the stock cord to give myself a reference point.
Just my .02
Music Is The Bridge Between Heaven & Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋
Power cords affect the electrical noise environment as well as the equipment's tonal balance. A component may be designed and voiced in a particular noise environment which does not represent the user's and does not reveal problems with the stock power cord. Thus, the component may not sound like what the designer intended in a different environment.
This works both ways. A component may sound better than the designer knows if the user takes pains to minimize the noise. I have a Wadia 861, and the manual contains the hilarious claim that the CD player does not need a special power cord.
What version of Pangea did you use with your CD player - 14 gauge?
it's surprising how power cords affect the sound. they make more of a difference than speaker cables. go figure!van alstine poo poo's power cord use. too bad, they help even his gear (almost as much as replacing his junk parts).
Edits: 04/29/10
The difference is startling!
Which parts did you change? I have a Delta 120 (with IEC, Cardas RCAs, Edison-Price Music posts).
And I just sent an Omega 240 to get Insight circuitry put in. That amp has Cardas posts and RCAs and an IEC, of course.
That amp has 7 (!!!!!!!!!!!!) fuses. I figure simply replacing those with silver/ceramic should be mind blowing!
I need to upgrade both IECs as silver phroizened IECS weren't even dreamed of when I did them.
If you have Asylum e-mail, I'll send a story you'll like.
There is no such thing as too many records.
There is just too little room for them!
Give them a little time to settle in mabe a week if used longer if new mabe up to 200hrs or more! if thats not it then reposition your speakers a little to compensate or decompensate for the old cords. Every time i change power cords,IC', etc , I use the current postion as a reference point and who know's a little toe in here or pull out there may give you what you liked before and what you have just gained, and if not then try another cord. that,s why thi hobby is so much fun. enjoy the journey to sonic utopia!
If you want to shock yourself silly with staging and imaging, use a laser pointer to aim your speakers.
Set them up as you would normally, measuring distances and listening for suck-out, etc. THEN, when you think it's perfect, place a laser with a flat rear on the baffle and aim the speaker at your listening position where your ears would be.
If your tweeters beam a bit, aim them slightly outside (or inside, experiment) of where your ears would be. If you can imagine, 1/4 of an inch difference at the speaker at 8' away is more like 8 or 10 inches (I ain't no mathermertishun!)!
It is shockingly unbelievable!
There is no such thing as too many records.
There is just too little room for them!
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