Audio Power Cables / Cords - Do they really make a difference?

[admin]

We are sometimes asked our opinion of exotic power cords and cables and whether or not they are beneficial or worth the added cost over the stock power cords that come with A/V electronics. With the help of Blue Jeans Cable, we explore the importance of properly designed power cords while simultaneously debunking the myths and bogus claims perpetuated by many exotic cable manufacturers and A/V review magazines. Always remember the Audioholics.com mantra "only poorly designed cables can be sonically distinguishable" and you will never make a bad purchasing decision. Once all of the nonsensical claims are peeled away, only three very basic and essential metrics are left to ensure quality power transfer from your wall outlet to you’re A/V gear which we discuss in detail herein.


Discuss "Audio Power Cables / Cords - Do they really make a difference?" here. Read the article.

[TLS Guy]

We are sometimes asked our opinion of exotic power cords and cables and whether or not they are beneficial or worth the added cost over the stock power cords that come with A/V electronics. With the help of Blue Jeans Cable, we explore the importance of properly designed power cords while simultaneously debunking the myths and bogus claims perpetuated by many exotic cable manufacturers and A/V review magazines. Always remember the Audioholics.com mantra "only poorly designed cables can be sonically distinguishable" and you will never make a bad purchasing decision. Once all of the nonsensical claims are peeled away, only three very basic and essential metrics are left to ensure quality power transfer from your wall outlet to you’re A/V gear which we discuss in detail herein.


Discuss "Audio Power Cables / Cords - Do they really make a difference?" here. Read the article.

I'm yet to see an under sized power cord come with a power amp. I suppose with this race to the bottom, especially from China, they are now out there. But a situation like that, if it exists, is totally ridiculous.

[KurtBJC]

But a situation like that, if it exists, is totally ridiculous.

Agreed. However, it's been known to happen. I gave a talk at our local AES chapter last month and spoke with one guy who had encountered just this situation--intermodulation distortion in the presence of heavy bass due to excess draw on the power supply--due to an undersized cord. The stars do need to be aligned just right, though; if the filter cap is generously sized, for example, it's not going to happen in any event.

[TLS Guy]

Agreed. However, it's been known to happen. I gave a talk at our local AES chapter last month and spoke with one guy who had encountered just this situation--intermodulation distortion in the presence of heavy bass due to excess draw on the power supply--due to an undersized cord. The stars do need to be aligned just right, though; if the filter cap is generously sized, for example, it's not going to happen in any event.

Yes, it takes junk from China to do this. Junk cable and a junk power supply to go with it. Amazing we have descended to the level we even have to discuss this. It's appalling, absolutely appalling.

[FirstReflection]

Another great contribution from Kurt Denke and the fine folks over at Blue Jeans Cable

Personally, I would love to see Blue Jeans Cable offer power cords for two simple reasons:

1) As Mr. Denke already mentioned, it would sometimes be really nice to have power cords of a length other than what was supplied with the device. Sometimes, you only need 3 feet of power cord, but the device came with 12. Other times, you need 10 feet, but the device only came with 6.

2) Stiff power cords are also common and can be a nuisance. So it would be great if Blue Jeans Cable could offer nice, thick gauge, but very flexible power cords that can be easily turned around corners and would stay in place.

I'd also love it if Blue Jeans Cable could offer little "pig-tail" power cords with standard-sized plugs so that I wouldn't have to deal with the major pain in the you-know-what that are the oh-so-common "wall wart" plugs". I HATE how I can have 12 perfectly useable outlets on the back of my UPS battery backup power filter, but those stupid,, huge wall wart plugs make it so that I can only plug in 6 devices!

So there's a market for power cords, IMO. And I'd love to be able to buy them from Blue Jeans Cable

[Warpdrv]

I was very surprised to see that a JL Audio F113 comes only with a

Our Fathom power cord is a 3-prong, 14 AWG and it's 6 ft. long.

I'm sure they tested it and thats how they ended up with their UL certification, but it would seem to me that one would want to use a larger gauge wire for an amp claiming the power they do...

[Nestor]

I was very surprised to see that a JL Audio F113 comes only with a



I'm sure they tested it and thats how they ended up with their UL certification, but it would seem to me that one would want to use a larger gauge wire for an amp claiming the power they do...

If your household wiring is 14ga from the receptacle all the way back to the panel, what difference will an extra few feet of a larger gauge make on your cord?

[Rickster71]

Next time you're in home depot etc., take a look at a receptacle.
There is a small brass jumper that connects the two outlets together,
That strip of metal is so thin and small, it's soon realized that most talk of oversight power cords is moot. I know that they've calculated it's surface area to handle the rated ampacity, it's just hard to believe when you see how small it is.

[Rickster71]

^ Edit meant to say "over sized power cords"

[highfigh]

Next time you're in home depot etc., take a look at a receptacle.
There is a small brass jumper that connects the two outlets together,
That strip of metal is so thin and small, it's soon realized that most talk of oversight power cords is moot. I know that they've calculated it's surface area to handle the rated ampacity, it's just hard to believe when you see how small it is.

But, doesn't the load carrying ability depend on the length and cross-sectional area? When I did 12V systems, we were always taught that the length of the conductor was as important as the gauge.