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Thread: Power cord effect |
    
Bronze Member Username: Jbrealty
Post Number: 15
Registered: May-08
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| Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 10:31 pm: |
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Would a power cord make a notable difference on this CDP? Or just save up for a better one? If so which cord do you guys recommend? PS Audio power punch OK?
Would the amp also show a notable improvement w a similar power cord upgrade or is it more significant with the CDP?
specs:
Exposure 2010S Integrated Amplifier
Cambridge Audio 640c V2
Monitor Audio Silver RS6
REL T1 Sub Bass System
Blue Jeans LC-1 Stereo Audio Cables
Canare 4S11 Speaker Cable, Bi-wired |
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Relevant Product Info
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 12762
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:36 am: |
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What does "notable" mean to you? How good is your hearing and what do you listen for? |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 7134
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 01:52 pm: |
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For me they do...however the difference isn't always an improvement. The van den Hul Mainserver I have with my Rega Apollo opened everything up...better bass, high end resolution and better sounstaging, even imaging improved. Previously I tried other power cords and they did make a difference, however in the end I decided that they were not improvements. |
Bronze Member Username: Jbrealty
Post Number: 16
Registered: May-08
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 09:18 am: |
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Notable means noticeable to me  My hearing is excellent. I listen for accuracy, transparency, separation, solid highs, mids, and tight strong accurate bass.
I was thinking of some entry level PS audio pwer cables ... do you use aftermarket power cables on your amp too or just cdp? |
Bronze Member Username: Arturgorniak
Allentown,
PA
US
Post Number: 27
Registered: May-08
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 10:58 am: |
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The reason I use aftermarket power cables is simply look driven... I have two Tara Labs Prism that I got cheap on Audiogon just so they look nice on my setup...I think it make sense to get some nice entry level ( cheap) power cords so you can feel good about your system but it is a nonsense to invest $$$$.....remember, it is all about music not accesories!!! |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 12767
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:24 am: |
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"Notable means noticeable to me My hearing is excellent. I listen for accuracy, transparency, separation, solid highs, mids, and tight strong accurate bass."
Yes, that smiley face says it all. I notice you didn't really state anything about listening to the music. You just said you listen to the reproduced sound of instruments or sound effects or those things extraneous to the performance of the musicians but relative to the audio system. Possibly what I just said doesn't make sense to you but there is large difference between listening "to the music" and listening to the sounds your system makes. What is then noticeable to one listener might be ignored by another with the same system. That makes recommending a power cable difficult and I would, on the face of the matter, say stick with what you own. Spend your money elsewhere.
Looking at your other choices in cables I would say you are a believer in cables but not to the extent you wish to spend much cash for cables. If you consider the cables you now own to have made a "noticeable" improvement in the music making capacity of your system, then I would guess the change to a new power cable would also be somewhat "noticeable". You can begin with an inexpensive cable and listen for improvements - most retailers offer trail periods should you not consider the cable to be a "notable" improvement. Or you could try a DIY power cable and spend less money without the benefit of returning the parts for credit should the cable prove to be not that notable.
If you wish to pursue power cable "noiticeability", I would call Cambridge and ask for their advice. Power cables are built around different intents and choosing a cable that actually negates what Cambridge has provided will not be of any consequence other than possibly lowering the quality of reproduction. For example, many aftermarket power cables tout their shielding against stray RF and EM interference patterns. What they do not tell you is this shielding almost always results in higher capacitance within the cable. Possiby your component doesn't care whether there is additional capacitance on its incoming power line - but maybe it does. It's better to find out before you spend your money on something that might actually be a step backward in performance. Give Cambridge a call and ask the appropriate questions.
Other than that, I would suggest you make certain you have given the needed attention to your components and their installation before you spend any money on a power cable. If the system isn't up to snuff in its environment, then chasing upgrades in power cables will be less than beneficial. 'Cause, as I read your post, you're really just looking for an excuse to buy something but you don't want to spend much money. I would say you should consider what exactly it is you want, where you want it to take your music and then do what is necessary to get to that point.
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Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 10432
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:31 pm: |
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This one is a bit of a bugaboo for me.
If power cords make such a difference, then what are you making up for, or replacing?
Given the chance, nd I will have a chance soon, I am going to hardwire some stuff and eliminate a lot of potentially noise inducing and messy connectin by wiring direct. And not to a wire-nut connection, but with good Canare cable as far up the line as I can(to the bus).
Less cost, no cable issues.
I have problems with power cords, as adding multiple questionable points seems disaccordant with purity.
But thats just me... |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 12768
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:51 pm: |
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Is Canare rated for installation in walls as AC cabling?
"If power cords make such a difference, then what are you making up for, or replacing?"
There could be lots of things you're making up for. At reasonable price levels not many manufacturers will go the expense of a shielded power cable. Not that this is what you always need nor is it what the equipment might prefer. There are power cables which try to minimize the effects of microphonics in the cable and some that provide different construction techniques to minimze self induced noises. After market power cables are not "voodoo scince" but they are not all the same either. It's not unreasonable to think a better connector on both ends and higher grade dielectric is sufficient reason to swap out power cables. Hard wiring to the mains panel is every bit as extreme and could prove deterimental to the system if you just choose a cable without experimentation. Particularly if you ever want to grab the equipment and run because the house caught fire.
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Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 7155
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 01:38 pm: |
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Arthur I believe you posted the same response at the Epos and Creek forum and I responded there... |
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Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 10437
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 05:18 pm: |
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If the house caught fire, JV, I would just grab your drunk buttt out of bed.
I stand by my hardwiring.
And yur Johnny Cash collection. |
Bronze Member Username: Jbrealty
Post Number: 24
Registered: May-08
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| Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 01:32 pm: |
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I picked up a slightly used The van den Hul Mainserver for a good price ... Ill report back when I get it and let you guys know if it was notable Gonna try vibrapods on my source too ... thanks for the input guys |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 7361
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 03:46 pm: |
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The Mainserver is for your source only and not a powercord for amps. It's a great power cord, I use it with my Apollo. Don't try Pods and the Mainserver at the same time with the same piece, you'll want to know how each affects the sound. Go one at a time and get used to the sound before you try the other. |
Bronze Member Username: Jbrealty
Post Number: 25
Registered: May-08
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| Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 07:50 pm: |
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I am going to use these tweaks on my Cambridge CDP/Source .... Ill try em one at a time as you suggest ... good idea ...
I was looking for an inexpensive power cord and this one came up for $115 so I figured Id give it a shot ... can always use these tweaks with a CDP upgrade if I decide to go that route down the road |
