Does your McIntosh benefit from fancy power cables?

[edward3132]

this discussion will go no where unfortunately

Each camp has their opinion on the subject. The OP already decided not to go the upgrade route on numerous other posts.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by edward3132

this discussion will go no where unfortunately

Each camp has their opinion on the subject. The OP already decided not to go the upgrade route on numerous other posts.

+1

[Richard D. George]

Master Lu:

Grant has done some excellent posts in the two threads I cited. Would it be possible to copy these and paste them into one post, along with links to the videos, and make it a Sticky in the Shunyata forum, for easier reference, and to conserve Grants busy time.

[Masterlu]

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

Master Lu:

Grant has done some excellent posts in the two threads I cited. Would it be possible to copy these and paste them into one post, along with links to the videos, and make it a Sticky in the Shunyata forum, for easier reference, and to conserve Grants busy time.

I think I know a guy that can do that.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by eljr

I have however never replaced a power cord. Just seems a bit extreme to me. Yet, I ran separate 20 amp lines for each power amp, with hospital grade outlets.

Funny thing is, I might just look around for some power cords after your post. Not sure why I developed a mental block to them but not interconnects.

Like I said, Why not?

Ed.......Here's my story on how I came to install premuim power cables on my audio components. At the time my system consisted of a C2300, MCD500, MR85, a pair of MC501's and PMC EB1i speakers. I was happy as a lark with the way the system sounded. Then Ivan offered to send me a pair of two meter Wireworld Silver Electra power cables to try on my amplifiers. Since it was just a demo and I didn't have to write a check I thought why not. The two Silver Electra PC's arrived and I proceeded to demo them against the stock McIntosh power cables. I had no preconceived notion about what to expect because I had always used stock power cords and had never auditioned any upgraded power cords.

To make a long story short, I played Brian Bromberg - Choices CD first with the stock PC's, then I replaced the stock PC's with the WW Silver Electra PC's and played the same CD again. To say I was startled at the improved bass response and midrange clarity would be an understatement. Brian's acoustic double bass took on a richness to the tone of bass strings and the instrument's vibrating wood that I had not experienced before. To be certain I was not suffering from a placebo effect I returned the stock PC's to the MC501's and played the title track "Choices" once again. The sense of deeper, more robust texture and depth of Brian's acoustic double bass vanished. That's not to say the sound was bad with the stock PC's, just not as fully rendered and solid. I could hardly believe what my ears were telling me. I returned the Wireworld Silver Electra power cords to the MC501's, played "Choices" once again and was immediately captured once again at the overall improvement, particularly in the lowest frequency range. At that moment I became a believer in premium power cords. To be honest I did not want to believe it because it meant I was going to have to let go of some cash to keep the two power cords in my system. I really wasn't looking forward to that, but there was no denying the worth of the Silver Electra PC's on the amplifiers. I wrote the check and several more as I continued to upgrade the remainder of my component power cords. Today I have two separate sound systems and all components are powered with Wireworld Silver Electra power cords.

From that first experience demoing the Wireworld PC's I never once considered that somehow I was deluding myself or hearing what I wanted to hear. I had no idea what to expect until after I first experienced it. There was verifiable auditory improvements in my sound system when performing A/B comparisons between stock power cords and the Silver Electra power cords. Like I said, I was hoping I would not hear a difference because I had no burning desire to be writing checks for power cords. For me, the results of improved low frequency depth, robustness, and texture, along with a more focused midrange, justified the expense and made the upgrade worthwhile.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by edward3132

this discussion will go no where unfortunately

Each camp has their opinion on the subject. The OP already decided not to go the upgrade route on numerous other posts.

while true I still see no reason for some of the absurd pricing that is charged for said 'wire' ! It's as if the cable mfrs have taken a chapter out of the Pharmaceutical Industry and amortized their R & D expense over the first dozen cables they sold !

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

Short answer is “Yes”. I am in the process of switching out two components from Classe Audio to Mac and will be using the same Shunyata power conditioner and Shunyata power cords.

Go to the Shunyata forum and find the thread about whether a Hydra conditioner will improve a system and then read all of the detailed posts by Grant. They cover more than just conditioners.

You will not get this level of professional detailed information at the other forum.

You Bet

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by edward3132

this discussion will go no where unfortunately

Each camp has their opinion on the subject. The OP already decided not to go the upgrade route on numerous other posts.

I didn't decide not to at all. I decided I probably will upgrade. I just have due diligence. I don't know when I'll upgrade, or how much I'm willing to spend.

I need to get some better subs first, which is where I'm seriously lacking. The subwoofer demo brought me to a detailed wire discussion which is why I'm essentially taking an informal poll from people with similar gear.

[vegaracer1]

Originally Posted by Mouse

The problem above is the word reasonable priced. I heard the difference between a throw away $12 cord and a $1,600 cord. There is nothing reasonable with a $1,600 power cord, I buy plenty of things unreasonable though. I'm not saying I won't buy an unreasonable priced power cord for my system, or a set of 3.... But there are other holes in my system I'd like to address first and this doesn't have to happen all at the same time.

This is a good point.
Compromise is something most people have to deal with. Priorities in system building are commonly Speakers,Amps,Source and then down the line.
As you get closer to the finish line small differences are more noticeable,like cable upgrades.
I have a laundry list of things I still want for my system but I have to prioritize according to biggest return.

[Mouse]

I have an electrician coming to my home soon, so I'm going to piggyback wall power outlet receptacles first too. And that 1,600 power cord was in the middle, that doesn't even come close to the tippy top of power cable costs (and it's pinkish purple ) .

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=40854