Suggestions on power plugs for DIY power cable

William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Yes, I got those points from the video.

First off, my building was built in 1932. Not that it’s ancient.

I actually have two cyber power UPS’s, PR1500LCD and CP1500PFCLCD. Way prior to any of my audio equipment. I can’t do a whole home electrical change.

I agree with all of your points, I’m not here to debate that.

I just hope you guys are getting my point, to lose 20 or 30 40 dollars isn’t a huge factor. I saved 1100 on my receiver. Especially after considering that I’m going to and already invested so much money in equipment.

I feel like all of your points are valid, but would be much more considerable if I was going to spend a 1000 dollars on this cable or any cable for that matter.

That’s all I’m telling you guys to consider.
I agree that 20 30 40 50 bucks isn’t a BIG factor, but it makes more sense to spend it on scratch offs, or the casino or even a handy in an alley. I mean if you’re going to anyways, by all means go for it. Just know that that money could buy something tangible. That’s all we’re sayin...
 
T

Trebdp83

Audioholic Ninja
I agree that 20 30 40 50 bucks isn’t a BIG factor, but it makes more sense to spend it on scratch offs, or the casino or even a handy in an alley. I mean if you’re going to anyways, by all means go for it. Just know that that money could buy something tangible. That’s all we’re sayin...
A handy in an alley for 20, 30, 40 or 50 bucks? Yikes, I've been selling myself short.:mad:
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Yes, I got those points from the video.

First off, my building was built in 1932. Not that it’s ancient.

I actually have two cyber power UPS’s, PR1500LCD and CP1500PFCLCD. Way prior to any of my audio equipment. I can’t do a whole home electrical change.

I agree with all of your points, I’m not here to debate that.

I just hope you guys are getting my point, to lose 20 or 30 40 dollars isn’t a huge factor. I saved 1100 on my receiver. Especially after considering that I’m going to and already invested so much money in equipment.

I feel like all of your points are valid, but would be much more considerable if I was going to spend a 1000 dollars on this cable or any cable for that matter.

That’s all I’m telling you guys to consider.
Electrically, your house is old- the wiring that's original has been there for 88 years and a lot has changed since then. A power cord won't help. You don't even have a ground wire at the outlet, which originally, wasn't grounded and even if it now has a grounded outlet, it's not grounded according to code- if the house has BX electrical wire, all they could have done is connect the ground screw to the neutral wire. In that case, a surge protector won't help in the way it's supposed to, which it to shunt surges to the ground wire and using the varistors, reduce the voltage to the extent they can as it comes in- if the voltage/energy exceeds the capacity of the varistors, they're supposed to fail, which is a way to say that those (and possibly some others) are sacrificial.
 
Speedskater

Speedskater

Audioholic General
First off, my building was built in 1932. Not that it’s ancient.
And all the wiring is still original issue?

My house was also built in the 1930's and some of the lights and outlets are still on the old 2 wire knob & tube circuits. But the main breaker box has been replaced and the HVAC, kitchen appliances, bathroom, hi-fi, video and computer circuits have been updated. Also many of the receptacles are now GFCI's.
 
M

MacCali

Full Audioholic
Honestly got no clue, the wall outlets are grounded. UPS have a fault light which is active if the plugs are not grounded and that will void any warranty in the time of damage.

Probably it has been updated.

I haven’t purchased anything yet, so I will have to see if that changes. Not in a rush, just wanted to get your thoughts. I see how much all of you are against it.

Therefore I’m going to build my own power plant to supply my AVR with clean power:cool:
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Honestly got no clue, the wall outlets are grounded. UPS have a fault light which is active if the plugs are not grounded and that will void any warranty in the time of damage.

Probably it has been updated.

I haven’t purchased anything yet, so I will have to see if that changes. Not in a rush, just wanted to get your thoughts. I see how much all of you are against it.

Therefore I’m going to build my own power plant to supply my AVR with clean power:cool:
You could use a bank of Group 31 marine batteries (use AGM or some kind of Lithium) and a large pure sine wave inverter. Charge the batteries only when you aren't using the system and you'll have the cleanest power but make sure to feed the whole system with the inverter, so you can eliminate problems that come from connecting to two different power sources.
 
Speedskater

Speedskater

Audioholic General
Of course those inverters will come with their own set of problems.
 
M

MacCali

Full Audioholic
You could use a bank of Group 31 marine batteries (use AGM or some kind of Lithium) and a large pure sine wave inverter. Charge the batteries only when you aren't using the system and you'll have the cleanest power but make sure to feed the whole system with the inverter, so you can eliminate problems that come from connecting to two different power sources.
Honestly based on what I was reading on this thread, and I am not sure if what I am regurgitating is accurate, but the UPS is kind of taking me off that grid. Honestly, I really notice nothing different, everything sounds great on my system.

Not sure if the UPS is any influence on all of this.

Just need all of you to realize that I am getting hit with a lot crap when you try to do research. So it is difficult to differentiate what is accurate or false.

We got that the power cable makes no difference, even based on what Gene said. I trust research and science, so that is why I am laying back on the drama. I did not proceed on purchasing my cable. But it seems like many people have a lot riding on the cable portion itself. Than we got power plugs themselves where people say there's a difference there, not sure if that's accurate. Like gold vs rhodium plating, etc.

So it's kind of difficult to figure out what's true, what creates any change, if any.

But again, it's my opinion and I am not professional. I more or less fell into this further by actually listening myself. I got some focal clears and a decent setup for my headphones and a tiny bit of common sense.

I was watching this audioquest testing of power cables on a system at an audio expo in England I believe it was, and as Gene had stated it's hard to really notice a difference especially when it comes to switching cables and delay. Which is very true, but in that video I was listening for differences on my headphones which are actually able to pick up differences or it did, in my experience.

So I listened to everything from song start at every single cable switch. With no delay really more than maybe half a second, listening and jumping to the exact point where the new cable is added and the song plays.

Just with that I can honestly hear differences between the cables, so I am not sure what or that is accountable.
Honestly the jump dies after like mid range tier. The Audio quest Y3/Z3, which is like a $179/200 is where it makes the most noticeable difference. That I hear, after that the difference is very nominal and paying those 1000's is ridiculous.

Second, even people who just post these video's of I just bought this cable and they run a demo. Using the very same method, only listen when the song plays OEM cord vs Audioquest lower end tier cables. I am hearing a difference on people with trash ass systems that are old to new and advanced set ups.

The next test was using the same line up Audioquest power cords, but using a power conditioner from audio quest.

With my experience the best setup and sound after numerous test listens of all of them via sound comparison with something[quality headphones] you should assume will be able to actually give you the ability to hear the difference.

Was the Audio quest monsoon cable to the power conditioner, which wasn't a variable, that was the only cable they used for the conditioner and the Y3 to the amp. That was the best sounding of them all IMO. That's a lot of money though.

So I honestly dont know what to say when I am noticing am auditory difference.

Now on the other hand, the very same test using audio quest speaker cables. This is at a second show, completely separate from the power cables. I honestly hear no difference, it's very very little difference. Absolutely not worth it beyond a doubt.

So when it comes to the power cables, and I mean it's a convention center or whatever it is, is obviously running romex or whatever they use in england all the way up to the wall plug is and there's difference.

Without a power conditioner the difference is very subtle. I would say it's not worth it

So this is my opinion, and it's going to be hard to defeat what I am physically hearing. I am not sure if the person who is making the video is editing it or doing anything to modify the sound, which is always a possibility. But the person doing the videos was not associated to Audioquest and has plenty of videos doing reviews and things on different audio products.

I believe he is a very popular audio reviewer in england.

This goes directly back to what I said earlier, I watched a video on power cables way way before I even had my AVR, just researching as I was planning on making my purchases. Just merely looking into different factors and variables of home theater audio. The frequency seems to change with legit cables, not sure what part of the cable is creating this. Whether it is the power plugs or whatever it may be creating this difference.

Would I suggest purchasing a power cable, nope. I would though suggest you DIY, save yourself a ton of cash and get the same results paying as much as those entry level cables for a cable that would cost a 1000 if they made it for you. I see the prices are way too inflated when they do it for you and that makes absolutely no sense. It's not rocket science, just being lazy.

All of you have valid points, I am not here to argue. Just giving my opinion, and considering yours I did not proceed to do this as it seems like an investment that can go to better things. But for anyone that does have money to blow, might as well try it and if you dont like it or notice any difference just sell the cable. Otherwise enjoy the change or placebo, but dont spend 1000's to do it.
 
M

MacCali

Full Audioholic
You weren't participating in any of these "shows" in person? Over the net via headphones? Try this on Audioquest demos https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/mark-waldrep-audioquest-open-letter-editorial
Great find, I appreciate your inpu, like I said I wouldn’t doubt it for a second. If BS makes you 10’s of thousands of dollars why not. This is always a factor, and I mentioned it as well.

I am merely stating the things that drove my decision making. That’s all. I didn’t follow through with it and everything is grand.
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Honestly based on what I was reading on this thread, and I am not sure if what I am regurgitating is accurate, but the UPS is kind of taking me off that grid. Honestly, I really notice nothing different, everything sounds great on my system.



This goes directly back to what I said earlier, I watched a video on power cables way way before I even had my AVR, just researching as I was planning on making my purchases. Just merely looking into different factors and variables of home theater audio. The frequency seems to change with legit cables, not sure what part of the cable is creating this. Whether it is the power plugs or whatever it may be creating this difference.
A UPS without pure sine wave isn't taking you off-grid and it can be worse than being on the grid. UPS are made to allow proper shutdown of computers and devices that need to be shut down in a specific way, rather than just killing the power or for devices used for security when cutting the power leaves someone or something vulnerable by ending the operation of the device(s). A battery bank with an inverter allows continuous operation without connection to the grid- they're used in boats to operate anything that operates on DC when the engine(s), shore power, solar power or generator aren't providing energy. Big difference in reserve time and purity of signal when the good ones are used- nav equipment is sensitive to bad power, too.

What do you mean by the bold part of your post? What frequency changes- the AC power? Not gonna happen because of a power cord. Think about this- you have miles of wire between your system and the power source and many feet between the outlet and the breaker panel, where the outlets and anything connected to them make their actual connection to the grid. How will a power cord make a big difference, unless the first one is defective or inferior in the sense that it can't support the current needed?
 

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