General Asylum: Re: Dissenting OPINION by Shinto

About 6 months ago, I probably would have agreed with you.

After much experimentation, about all I can say is listen for yourself. Go ahead and try it. Change your stock power cord, listen and let it break in for a week, then go back. The difference will more likely than not in my experience be fairly obvious.

There is no need to spend huge amounts of $$$ on power cords to convince yourself one way or the other. Build up a Crump power cord. It'll cost you about $20-25 for a Volex 17604 (Allied part #626-3509 $10), a Hubbell 5266-X (I used the Leviton 5266-C from my local Home Depot ($4.50), and A Schurter 4300.0603 IEC (Allied part #509-1215 $7). Trow out the screw on the IEC and use silver solder to fasten the wires. Build two so you can do an A/B comparison between a fresh one and one that has broken in for a few days.

As to break in, there will probably be no way of measuring any electrical differences with any kind of test equipment. I have a large assortment of oscilloscopes, DMMs, Frequency counters, etc. I haven't found any measurable difference before or after break in, BUT I CAN MOST DEFINATELY HEAR IT.

Placebo effect? Possibly. I highly doubt it, though. A new cord sounds like sh*t. Substantially worse than the stock cord. One that has been in use for a few weeks sounds wonderful.

Other effects can be explained fairly easily. A larger conductor can carry a larger current. Most easily heard though transient recovery. The current simply flows better, allowing the capacitors in the amplifier to recharge faster.

Why do different metals and alloys sound better than others? Fairly subjective, but I believe it has to do with conductivity. Copper has a warmer sound than silver, for instance...

Jon Risch, Bob Crump, or John Curl know a heck of a lot more about this than I do and could go into some real specifics.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Try it for yourself and LISTEN before poo-pooing it as so much hocus-pocus. If you don't hear a difference, then you have more of a leg to stand on.