Power Cable Question

[GrahamJohnMiles]

With two after-market power cables of differing quality, does it make sense to put the better one on the DAC and the lesser one on the amplifier?

 

[wgscott]

How did you determine which one is the better and which the lesser?

 

[beetlemania]

the two configurations for yourself. Seems simple enough to accomplish and you'll know from your own experience whether one sounds better than or other, or perhaps if it even matters.

 

[goldsdad]

Surely, since you are the person listening to your equipment, the answer is for you to listen to the options then decide.

 

Edit: beetlemania beat me to it.

 

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

I don't have the second cable yet and was just asking for a little friendly input, not a Zen debate.

 

[Rockefoten]

Theres two camps (well, at least) amongst audiophile. Source first or speakers first. I guess this question kind of fits into this debate, with amp instead of speakers?

The one which filters the most on the dac and the one which has the largest flow of current on the amp? In theory I guess.

 

But Im with the others. Try to switch when theyve settled and see what you think

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

Cheers Rocketfoten. My sense is the Source would be the first place to try. Such a pain to rip everything apart though and AB testing is a long process that can take days. Topic closed.

 

[beetlemania]

"not a Zen debate"

 

you would be a fool, er, friend, to put the lesser one on the DAC ;^)

 

 

 

[Julf]

Depends on how you define the quality of a cable. Beyond the basics (decent gauge of wire) there are no absolute "better" or "worse", only "better for dealing with problem XXX". So it depends on your amp and DAC.

 

[wgscott]

> I don't have the second cable yet and was just asking for a little friendly input, not a Zen debate.

 

With the subject of power cable audibility, who could possibly have thought otherwise?

 

[goldsdad]

"I don't have the second cable yet and was just asking for a little friendly input, not a Zen debate."

 

Well, when you've got all the cables, the fact of the situation will still be that only you can decide which configuration of your equipment sounds best to you. What's so zen-like or unfriendly about that?

 

 

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

Since adding a higher quality power cable to my system I consistently hear the sound of trees falling in the forest when there's no one there. You folks really should open your minds, wallets and ears.

 

[wgscott]

So the question was as genuine as those asked by Jehova's Witnesses when they make it to my front door?

 

[Julf]

Ah, didn't realize you were after the contents of our wallets.

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

It was indeed genuine question. Perhaps I could step inside and talk more?

 

[Jud]

So the question was as genuine as those asked by Jehova's Witnesses when they make it to my front door?

 

My (Yiddische) Momma used to eagerly invite the Witnesses in for coffee and have a great time discussing the Bible with them (the Old Testament, which she'd studied in great detail in the original Hebrew, and also the New, which she knew backwards and forwards as well). She'd point out the Jewish antecedents of everything and Jesus' adherence to Jewish ritual throughout his life, then ask (before it became a popular phrase in evangelical culture) the "What would Jesus do?" question, i.e., since God had sent His only begotten son to Earth as a Jew, and he'd spent his life as an adherent of that religion, why, oh why, weren't they doing the same?

 

I learned as a relatively young child to keep a straight face at the sight of Witnesses bolting from our home as if their heads were on fire, while trying as politely as possible to decline my mother's proferred second cup of coffee in their headlong rush.

 

[4est]

It is that it would depend upon what qualities the cables have and what you might wish to change about your components themselves. I am a source first sort of guy, and think that I would swap the two back and forth between your DAC first and find what you like. Then do the same with the amp. If the same cable is better in both configurations, sell the other one and maybe try a third or buy another of the same one you liked best. Power cables are not easy to predetermine IMO. You may not hear a difference at all with the newest one.

 

And yes, it does sort of suck swapping them...

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

Great Story Jud. And thanks for the considered response 4est. I'm new to the power cable game, but must confess to hearing a positive improvement on upgrading my DAC cable. Not just subtle either. I wonder if improvements would extend to a quality cable on a USB to SPDIF converter. Since nothing goes analog until the bits reach the DAC, I kinda doubt it, but it's interesting to speculate.

 

[Jud]

I wonder if improvements would extend to a quality cable on a USB to SPDIF converter. Since nothing goes analog until the bits reach the DAC, I kinda doubt it, but it's interesting to speculate.

 

Oh yeah, *there's* something we haven't discussed before [eyeroll].

 

Lots of threads on it - do a site search and take your pick.

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

Oops, I meant power cable as opposed to USB cable, I don't use a USB cable in my USB to SPDIF set-up.

 

[Jud]

I don't use a USB cable in my USB to SPDIF set-up.

 

HiFace product? Halide?

 

 

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

Pretty low-tech I'm afraid, but appears to work well.

 

www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/392958676-USB-A-Male-To-B-Male-For-Printer-Scanner-Cable-Adapter-wholesalers.html

 

Plus a USB2ISO.

 

 

 

[Kimo]

"How did you determine which one is the better and which the lesser?"

 

By price and pedigree, of course.

 

Thickness is another valuable measure. Sometimes color, but you cannot trust that one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jud]

That's pretty intriguing.

 

What's your DAC and what's your amp?

 

[GrahamJohnMiles]

The DAC is an Audio Maverick D2, and the amp a Cambridge Audio Integrated. Not the highest of ends, but enjoyable.