Power Cables For HT Receivers

Z

Zar

Audioholic Intern
How many of you have bought "better" cables to replace the stock one's. I have an Integra that I'm thinking about getting a more expensive power cable. Any preferences or advice is appreciated.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
One of the stupidest things you can spend money on IMHO is the expensive/hi-end power cable thing (and that goes for most other types of audio cables as well)
 
Kvn_Walker

Kvn_Walker

Audioholic Field Marshall
Unless you're going to rip out the 10/3 from the outlets to the breaker box and replace all the wire in your walls with "audiophile" wiring, install an "audiophile" breaker box, and have the power company run "audiophile" cable from your mains to the streetside transformer, spending a king's ransom on the 6 feet of wire from your outlet to your receiver will do exactly nothing.

If you have a noise or hum issue, that requires a different kind of troubleshooting. If you don't like the sound of the receiver, replace it. But if you buy an expensive power cable and hear a difference, that's your brain telling you "it sounds better because I paid a lot of money." And while that is true for many things, cables have one of the fastest diminishing returns of any link in an audio system.
 
Z

Zar

Audioholic Intern
I like my Integra so no problem there. I have spent on "upgraded" power cables for my two channel rigs hut always bought used.
Do you guys feel the same about HDMI cables? Are they all created equal?
In two channel stereo I have noticed positive changes buying upgraded interconnects. Thanks.
 
John Parks

John Parks

Audioholic Samurai
I like my Integra so no problem there. I have spent on "upgraded" power cables for my two channel rigs hut always bought used.
Do you guys feel the same about HDMI cables? Are they all created equal?
In two channel stereo I have noticed positive changes buying upgraded interconnects. Thanks.
I really do not think you are going to get the answers (other than "there is absolutely no difference!") or opinions you are looking for on this particular site. ;)
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I like my Integra so no problem there. I have spent on "upgraded" power cables for my two channel rigs hut always bought used.
Do you guys feel the same about HDMI cables? Are they all created equal?
In two channel stereo I have noticed positive changes buying upgraded interconnects. Thanks.
If a digital cable functions properly what else is there? Cable woo is not something supported here....
 
Last edited:
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
At the end of the day, you are just conducting electricity. If it makes you happy to buy a cryo-cable that's been extruded through comet dust, well, that's on you and your wallet. I'm an avowed Monoprice cable slut. Their Certified Premium High Speed HDMIs do just fine. Their Choice OFC 12AWG speaker cable does what its supposed to do. The High Quality Subwoofer Cable performs very admirably as it runs 20' past Amp power cables (5 of them!) and the power strip they connect to WITH NO DISTORTION OR INTERFERENCE. My interconnects from AVR to Amps are old school Rat Shack RCAs that I've had since music school back in the 90's.
All of my power cables are stock.
I don't have a dedicated circuit for any of my audio gear.
The only thing I did for my system was get a deal on SVS Soundpath Isolation Feet for my subs! And they perform better for it. In retrospect, I would pay full price. :p
But conducting electricity?!? If you are really that concerned, as was opined before: start with the power company, get upgraded to 3 phase, then have all the wiring and junctions in your home stripped out and redone...
Maybe, then, would buying special power cable make sense.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
The Monoprice HDMI cables are very affordable and reliable. Yes I have kept up with buying the current HDMI certified version though. All of my HDMI cables were replaced in 2017 when I went to 4K so I could support up to HDMI 2.0b.
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
I really do not think you are going to get the answers (other than "there is absolutely no difference!") or opinions you are looking for on this particular site. ;)
Well, without evidence what else can be repeated?
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
I like my Integra so no problem there. I have spent on "upgraded" power cables for my two channel rigs hut always bought used.
Do you guys feel the same about HDMI cables? Are they all created equal?
In two channel stereo I have noticed positive changes buying upgraded interconnects. Thanks.
Well, very long HDMI cable may need to be better than for shorter runs.
As to perceiving differences, one has to be careful as subconscious bias is always present and may mislead you.
 

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