Location: Oxford
Posts: 195
I'm Andy.
I tested a Russ Andrews Powerkord against generic cables a while back and there was a slight improvement to bass and noise floor. I was mostly trying to eliminate mains problems rather than improve sound quality at the time (the RA cable helped, but it was like pissing in the wind given how bad the noise was) and subsequently discovered that proper filtering was required. I remember the cable burn in process being quite dramatic though.
I also used some Mark Grant DSP2.5 cables to replace the generic APC and Maplin IEC 14 to IEC 13 cables coming out of a Furman filter. The dynamics were completely squashed with the generic cables and thankfully the MG ones sorted it out. I couldn't afford any more RA cables at that point so went looking for an alternative and found MG.
I haven't actually compared the RA cables to MG yet, but will do at some point. To be honest the MG is so much cheaper I just buy those now.
Location: Reading
Posts: 110
I'm George.
Yes.
Infuriatingly the effect varied from component to component.
So in my case ARC valve amps did not show a great change with any cable bar the Transparent Audio mains cable. A Nord Class D amp showed differences between a cheap cable and a shielded Supra mains cable. So very much a try and see approach but not surprised when some people report no great gains (valve amps?) or real differences with solid state amps.
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 791
I'm Svend.
Gary, I can't comment as yet on the effect of a component's power cable, but I will very soon. I have made up a 12ga. cable for my power amp (ss Belles) which I intend to swap in within the next couple of days. I'll report back here if I notice any difference (or not). That said, I have had the power cables upgraded on a preamp and CD player (the latter to a shielded one), but I really can't say if they improved the sound as they were part of a whole bunch of other mods done at the same time.
However, I can categorically state that running a dedicated power line from the breaker box to the audio system made a very noticeable difference. This was one of the first things I did nearly 20 years ago when first building up a decent system. The differences, albeit not dramatic, were immediately apparent -- better dynamics, fuller sound. I would never set up a good system now without being able to do this, if at all possible. While this is a bit off-topic from your original question, it's quite related, and should be viewed as part of the overall system, in my opinion.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Svend
Location: Solihull
Posts: 717
I'm Martin.
I installed a spur just for audio using 30 amp quality cable and crabtree sockets which made a substantial improvement a few years ago
I have since used quality mains cables since which further improved things but not by as much.
I think that it pays to get a dedicated ring main installed if practical !!!!! rather than spend stupid money on mains cables as the differences become more and more subtle.
Says the blocke who just bought a used Cardas Golden Power!!!!!!!!!!
Lumley Heliosphere Audiomods 5
Voyd Valdi AN Arm 1 V2 and Denon MC
Audiomeca Talisman Highly Modded
Audiomeca Kreatura &,SW1X DAC1
Hovland HP200 MC
Hovland Radia
Ming Da 805 monos
Magnum Dynalab Etude, RWA Cassabria + LCD 3
Wilson Benesch Actors
Cables by Cardas, Hovland G3 and Yter
Location: Solihull
Posts: 717
I'm Martin.
Lumley Heliosphere Audiomods 5
Voyd Valdi AN Arm 1 V2 and Denon MC
Audiomeca Talisman Highly Modded
Audiomeca Kreatura &,SW1X DAC1
Hovland HP200 MC
Hovland Radia
Ming Da 805 monos
Magnum Dynalab Etude, RWA Cassabria + LCD 3
Wilson Benesch Actors
Cables by Cardas, Hovland G3 and Yter