My first power cord upgrade

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by schaefer11

Been using my ears ever since I can remember. And I could lie and say I have heard a difference just to fit in, but that's not how I operate.

New question, since you brought up $6000 amps. Wouldn't a manufacturer like McIntosh, who could put together a "superior" A/C cord for much less than retail, build their amps with one if it made them sound better?

Nope

They deliberately leave it up to the end user.

McMaster training 101

[wpines]

Speaker cable... off topic but in the same arena of audible cable differences.

I recently got new speakers, Revel Ultima Studio 2's, and I couldn't use my Kimber 8TC speaker cable due to a connector problem. To temporarily solve the problem I used 12 guage lamp cord. The new speakers sounded very nice.
On the recommendation of a trusted audiophile friend, I'd been flirting with picking up some used biwired PNF Symphony speaker cables that were on Audiogon and local. So I picked them up and put them in.
The difference just completely startled me.
I'd never bought into the cable thing that much. When I first went from Ratshack interconnects and lamp cord speaker wire to Kimber Hero and 8TC the difference was just subtle.
But when I went from the temporary lamp cord to the PNF it was startling!!! Lesson learned and learned well.
I do believe that you first must get to a level of equipment that can discern subtleties such as a cable upgrade before audible differences can be realized.
PS - PNF Audio is a value play in cables - crappy website but great recommendation in TAS; Editors choice'07 and '08. Getting a lot of buzz.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by US Blues

That's a potent statement! Which power cable is that?

The Wireworld Silver Electra 6.0 power cord is the best power cord I have ever used/owned at any price level.

I buy them by the dozens and can't keep them in stock...

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by wpines

Speaker cable... off topic but in the same arena of audible cable differences.

I recently got new speakers, Revel Ultima Studio 2's, and I couldn't use my Kimber 8TC speaker cable due to a connector problem. To temporarily solve the problem I used 12 guage lamp cord. The new speakers sounded very nice.
On the recommendation of a trusted audiophile friend, I'd been flirting with picking up some used biwired PNF Symphony speaker cables that were on Audiogon and local. So I picked them up and put them in.
The difference just completely startled me.
.

wpines.......I would be curious to see how the Kimber 8TC stacks up to the PNF.

[schaefer11]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Nope

They deliberately leave it up to the end user.

McMaster training 101

Kind of like in the old days when you bought a custom auto (like a Dusenberg or some such) and they left it up to you to take it to a coach builder for the body!

Maybe they do it so the dealers can make money selling cables? If so, that's fine. But they should disclose it up front that they are selling you a high dollar item that will not perform to it's potential without the additional investment in a cable.

Pity all the poor fools like me who thought that McIntosh would have taken care of that for my $$$$$.

[crytklmass]

Originally Posted by wpines

Speaker cable... off topic but in the same arena of audible cable differences.

I recently got new speakers, Revel Ultima Studio 2's, and I couldn't use my Kimber 8TC speaker cable due to a connector problem. To temporarily solve the problem I used 12 guage lamp cord. The new speakers sounded very nice.
On the recommendation of a trusted audiophile friend, I'd been flirting with picking up some used biwired PNF Symphony speaker cables that were on Audiogon and local. So I picked them up and put them in.
The difference just completely startled me.
I'd never bought into the cable thing that much. When I first went from Ratshack interconnects and lamp cord speaker wire to Kimber Hero and 8TC the difference was just subtle.
But when I went from the temporary lamp cord to the PNF it was startling!!! Lesson learned and learned well.
I do believe that you first must get to a level of equipment that can discern subtleties such as a cable upgrade before audible differences can be realized.
PS - PNF Audio is a value play in cables - crappy website but great recommendation in TAS; Editors choice'07 and '08. Getting a lot of buzz.

I didn't mean to get off topic, just stating cable differences. I don't know anyone that buy's high end audio gear and uses cheap yellow/red rca cables. If your spending $1,000's on amps and speakers you MUST spend money on better cables. $10 rca cables just don't cut it, it's up to the owner to decide how much to spend on rca or xlr cable upgrades. If they didn't make a difference they wouldn't sell... I refuse to believe people spend $1,000's on cables if they didn't make your system sound better. Anyone that does, let me know, I'll give you my address to send me a check..

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by schaefer11

Pity all the poor fools like me who thought that McIntosh would have taken care of that for my $$$$$.

schaefer11.......You don't need our pity, nor are you a fool. You were smart enough to purchase McIntosh, and bright enough to seek out additional information. Just understand that all of us share our experiences here, both the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is a learning thing. Take from this great forum that which you find has value, and leave the rest for some other day.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jdandy

schaefer11.......You don't need our pity, nor are you a fool. You were smart enough to purchase McIntosh, and bright enough to seek out additional information. Just understand that all of us share our experiences here, both the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is a learning thing. Take from this great forum that which you find has value, and leave the rest for some other day.

Thank you, Oh wise one!

[PHC1]

There are very few manufacturers out there that include any kind of a power cord that would be considered half decent. Specifically because 99% of people simply swap them out for a power cord that they find synergistic with their gear. Even the inexpensive Guerrilla Audio or the Zebra power cords make an audible difference.

[mac man]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Another skeptic among us? Funny how the skeptics always doubt and over think the whole process of how a cable or a power cord could possibly make a difference, yet when they finally try for themselves, the first reaction is usually "wow". David, care to add your thoughts on this?

I never in a million years thought a power cable would make much of a difference but I am telling you it does I don't know how or why and frankly I don't care I am just blown away by the sound. The power cord went on my mc602.