Something about power cables

[Stefan]

I have a Transparent PI8 to filter the juice for my Puritiys, Lyngdorf preamp, Squeezebox and Trigon Vanguard RIAA (the CD player has left the building).
Now, the other day a friend of mine suggested I should try his Transparent Super power cable to connect the PI8, he actually also has a PI8 and Puritys. To my surprise the whole soundstage grew and became even more 3D then before. So down I went to the local ML dealer (also Transparent) to see if they had some nice 3 meter cables, they had no Transparent in stock but I borrowed three Chord Power Cables, one for the PI 8 and two for the Puritys. But no, they didn't give the soundstage I had before but they seemed to give a bit tighter and powerful bass, the difference weren't as dramatic as when plugging in the Super, but still. So next test was to use the Super to the PI8 and two Chords for the Puritys. Yes, both large soundstage with depth and nice bass :drool:.
So now I "have" to order a Transparent Super or maybe I'll make it a Reference.
But how can the power cords much such difference in the sound...

 

[miljac]

Did you ever try the Purity without being hooked to a power conditioner?

 

[Gordon Gray]

Stefan,

Many discussions on this phenomena. Use the "search" function if you want to read more.

By the by, I am a firm believer of after market power cords. Others definitely disagree and say it's vodoo.

Who knows?

GG

PS: There are likely less expensive alternatives to Transparent. If you can arrange, I'd certainly audition before spending the money on Transparent. Only you can determine the value versus dollars spent.

 

[Stefan]

I did use the Puritys without a power conditioner in the beginning but since then quite a lot has changed so it is a bit difficult to say what did what.

My dilemma with testing is that I need a 3 m cord and most often the standard length is 2 m. So far I compared the Super with Chord, QED and a Transparent HPPL and the Super is definitely better. So I ordered one today, patience is maybe not my most developed virtue.

 

[spectral]

By the by, I am a firm believer of after market power cords. Others definitely disagree and say it's vodoo.

Here's a voodoo example... I have the Shunyata Sidewinder CX with this super helical thing construction, said to reduce inductance-induced resistance. Fine, perhaps so in the 6 ft run of that cable. But it cannot undo or fix the same ill-effects of the miles of cable before it, therefore their claim is just not relevant.

I have found that in lots of cases power cord manufacturers are simply looking to solve a purported "problem" that no one else has addressed, without consideration to how important or relevant that "problem" is... Thus, I feel power cords are in some cases a solution looking for a problem.

There are other power cords that truly address relevant issues, like RFI and RMI (and have bought those two, after measuring their effect), and finally, perhaps there is a third category of manufacturers that just won't tell us what problem they are trying to solve.

 

[jvitez]

The electrical explanations sound like voodoo in most cases, but all I know is I can definitely hear the difference some power cords make. Notice I said some.

I played around with a few until I settled on the Nordost line. Shiva didn't make much of a difference. Vishnu was as much of an improvement as better RCA interconnects made. The Brahma cord was better than Vishnu, but the difference was less than Shiva to Vishnu. Then I got a Valhalla power cable, put it from the wall to the power conditioner. Nice improvement. Then I moved the Valhalla to the power conditioner to CDP. I was blown away! What an improvement to inner detail and crisp shimmering highs.

The moral of the story is: I don't know how they work or why, but I know I hear a difference. Experimenting is half the fun. :music:

 

[Gordon]

I installed a pair of WireWorld Silver Eclipse 2m on my 501's. I immediately noticed a much fuller presentation from top to bottom. In addition, the noise, what little there is seemed a bit less. Since I thought it was worth the cash, I ordered another pair for the Spire's. I must say I was disappointed. I was able to detect neither an improvement or decline in the sound so I use the stock cable.

Since I had a pair to try, I installed one on my transport and one on my preamp. My preamp is two pieces but only uses one power cord. The added depth and width to the stage was not staggering or major but the effect was noticeable. I ordered one additional cord for my DAC and the mids cleaned up a bit with a slight improvement in definition. All combined, there was a remarkable decrease in some ringing I experience.

Cost of 5 cords is $3500 msrp which I did not pay. IF I had to pay msrp I don't think the improvement would have been worth it to me.

Gordon