Yggdrasil -- which power cord?

[plissken]

It's really the first three feet from the perspective of a component. That cord can dictate how quickly the component can draw current to respond to transients. It can also dictate how much noise is radiated in close proximity to sensitive analog circuits.

 

That is an awful lot of assumptions. I like to think the products that command a premium are properly designed as to not be sensitive to that stuff.

 

The cable in wall is 14 gauge for 15 amp and 12G for 20 AMP. Even for high powered setups voltage sag really isn't going to come into play for the 99% here.

[kennyb123]

I like to think the products that command a premium are properly designed as to not be sensitive to that stuff.

 

In the real world the opposite is true. Better amps are capable of doing a better job of reproducing realistic dynamics. Those dynamic swings can really be unleashed with the right power cords. This is one of the easiest things to hear...and feel.

 

That you're suggesting otherwise suggests you have no practical experience with premium amps and premium power cords. Is that correct?

[plissken]

It's really the first three feet from the perspective of a component.

 

The attached device has zero clue. It's totally unaware of how much cabling or how many miles the electricity has taken to get there.

 

The outlet to device cable is simply an extension of what is in wall. You could literally extend the cheapo romex out of the wall place and terminate with an IEC plug.

[kennyb123]

The attached device has zero clue.

 

Are you really saying that the component's power supply doesn't see an impedance?

[plissken]

In the real world the opposite is true. Better amps are capable of doing a better job of reproducing realistic dynamics. Those dynamic swings can really be unleashed with the right power cords. This is one of the easiest things to hear...and feel.

 

That you're suggesting otherwise suggests you have no practical experience with premium amps and premium power cords. Is that correct?

 

Does time with a $14,000 amp count? I've also had Pangea AC-9 (If I remember correctly) for 60 days. There was zero difference between that and the 12AWG on a 20 AMP circuit (that's 2400 watts).

 

I've owned Carver, Parasound, Adcom also.

 

The $14,000 amp was a Crown MacroTech HD 4 channel with their interleaved Class D (Their marketing term is Class I). It the basis for their high end Mark Levinson amp.

 

It's for all intents and purposes a Class A amp since there is no 0 voltage point in the output.

[plissken]

Are you really saying that the component's power supply doesn't see an impedance?

 

Are you saying there is a huge impedance swing if you take 60 feet of the romex from the breaker box and terminate with various 3 foot 12AWG IEC power cables?

[kennyb123]

I've also had Pangea AC-9 (If I remember correctly) for 60 days. There was zero difference between that and the 12AWG on a 20 AMP circuit (that's 2400 watts)

 

I wouldn't expect there to be. That's not what I'd consider to be a premium power cord.

[plissken]

I wouldn't expect there to be. That's not what I'd consider to be a premium power cord.

 

So you are the sole arbiter of what is or isn't a premium power cord... I'll await your reply to my other point.

[kennyb123]

Are you saying there is a huge impedance swing if you take 60 feet of the romex from the breaker box and terminate with various 3 foot 12AWG IEC power cables?

 

You answered my question with a question. An obvious dodge.

 

Thanks for reminding me why I stopped debating with the all cables sound alike crowd.

[Mr Rick]

I wouldn't expect there to be. That's not what I'd consider to be a premium power cord.

 

Premium power cord? I think that's an oxymoron.

[plissken]

You answered my question with a question. An obvious dodge.

 

Thanks for reminding me why I stopped debating with the all cables sound alike crowd.

 

You mentioned power supply impedance in the context of a 3 foot power cord hanging off the romex installed in wall. You are making a supposition that there is going to be an audible variance due to this impedance difference.

 

What math do you have to support a rather average/typical 60 foot run of 14/3 romex terminated with 12 or 10 AWG 3 foot of 'premium' power cable vs another 12 or 10 AWG cable?

[kennyb123]

So you are the sole arbiter of what is or isn't a premium power cord...

 

I challenged your practical experience with "premium power cords". You defended your experience by mentioning only a single cord (priced around $200 as best as I can tell) that you consider to be a premium cord.

 

I think I've probably tried a dozen different models, ranging from a little over a hundred bucks to $1600.

 

I wouldn't seek an opinion on premium coffees from a person who's tried only a single "premium" coffee - particularly if the one he's tried isn't highly regarded as premium by those with a lot of experience with premium coffees. Same with audio.

[plissken]

I challenged your practical experience with "premium power cords". You defended your experience by mentioning only a single cord (priced around $200 as best as I can tell) that you consider to be a premium cord.

 

I think I've probably tried a dozen different models, ranging from a little over a hundred bucks to $1600.

 

I wouldn't seek an opinion on premium coffees from a person who's tried only a single "premium" coffee - particularly if the one he's tried isn't highly regarded as premium by those with a lot of experience with premium coffees. Same with audio.

 

 

So you are going to drop the impedance argument you were just about to embark on. K, Thx.

[AGS]

I have been using Wireworld Electra 7 power cord with Yggy. It really opens up the soundstage and has a very balanced sound overall. Happy to recommend it.

[plissken]

I challenged your practical experience with "premium power cords". You defended your experience by mentioning only a single cord (priced around $200 as best as I can tell) that you consider to be a premium cord.

 

I didn't say I considered it premium. Certainly considered it over priced. It's others that sang it's virtues.

 

I'm sure you tried your cables all sighted.

 

Plus we are talking about a DAC. Not an amp.

[plissken]

Double post... Deleted

[kennyb123]

So you are going to drop the impedance argument you were just about to embark on. K, Thx.

 

I asked you a simple yes/no question. You won't answer this.

 

I don't go further in debates when I see a person go out of their way to avoid simple yes/no questions.

[kennyb123]

I'm sure you tried your cables all sighted.

 

Wrong.

 

I've had many friends over as well and I swapped cords without them knowing. Consistent results. Very easy to hear.

[kennyb123]

My apologies to everyone for causing this thread to get off track.

 

In response to the OP, my recommendation only is to just use the same brand of power cord throughout the entire system. This will ensure more predictable results.

[plissken]

I asked you a simple yes/no question. You won't answer this.

 

I don't go further in debates when I see a person go out of their way to avoid simple yes/no questions.

 

I dunno, a bunch of people with an opinion just as valid as yours just raved about the Pangea AC-9. You can go to various forums and find them and engage in a pissing match if you like.

 

For 20 times the cost of the cable that came with my amps there was no discernible improvement.

 

Also Schiit even mentions Monoprice on their site... You obviously know something they don't.

 

Power cables deliver power. Not audio.

[firedog]

The "last 3 feet"- maybe this is an incorrect conception. Perhaps what we are really looking at is a giant loop (including outside the house) and the "3 feet" in the middle directly attached to the component can make a difference. Not saying, just suggesting.

 

I think that at least a quality shielded power cord ($20-$100, not thousands) might eliminate any local problems directly around the system with interference, or with badly made cords.

[57gold]

Have heard "audiophile" power cables make big positive difference and none at all.

 

Some equipment seems to be very sensitive to the last 6 ft of cable, others not.

 

Have owned Theta, Wadia and now Mytek DACs and they all have displayed a sensitivity to the last 6 feet. Putting a Shunyata cable on the Theta Gen Va created a dramatic improvement in clarity and soundstage and the Virtual Dynamics cable that the Great Northern Sound guys recommended for the Wadia took a great DAC and made it better sounding, more bass definition and swing than the Shunyata I liked on the Theta. I remember the guy at Great Northern Sound, who was regarded as a Wadia guru, saying, "I can't comment on the mumbo jumbo marketing claims made by the maker of the VD cable...all I can say is that I am a Shunyata dealer and I have a VD cable on my personal Wadia DAC..."

 

Agree that the pricing of these "audiophile" cables seems ridiculous and have never understood those MIT and Transparent cables with the large boxes of passive junk in the middle...seems kinda goofy to me.

 

But, without trying say a Shunyata or Audience or, for those on a budget, a Cullen cable on a DAC or power amp, you might be missing a meaningful increase in musicality, dynamics and color...just don't ask me why.

 

FWIW, use a Cullen power cable on my guitar amps to very good effect...added depth of tone, clarity and musicality. Might just be the heavier gauge than the stock, molded 18 gauge, allowing the amp to operate more efficiently. The guys who make transformers for a bunch of the better amp makers, Mercury Magnetics, sell a heavy gauge replacement cable for $25 (not extortion) that they stake their reputation on...the guys on the guitar fora are equally incredulous..."shouldn't or can't make a difference"...can lead a horse to water, can't make'em drink!

[Jim Smith]

For the component, it's not the last 3, 6, etc. feet, it's the first...

[kennyb123]

Agree that the pricing of these "audiophile" cables seems ridiculous and have never understood those MIT and Transparent cables with the large boxes of passive junk in the middle...seems kinda goofy to me.

 

All cables are essentially RLC circuits, as they each contribute resistance, inductance and capacitance. Most cable manufacturers balance those through different construction techniques. MIT & Transparent do that too, but they additionally add tuned parallel filters to try to reduce reactive losses.

[Jimmypowder]

I'm using the Tree of Life Kryptonite Power Cord with the Yggy . Incredible audio detail from this cord .