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Ted Nightshade · 9th April 2003

ZepDude sez: "I've done blind ABX listening with a high end power cord vs stock power cord. This was on the preamp of a stereo system. Doing this test with a partner in the other room doing the switching, I was able to pick the designer cable as sounding better. My partner did the same.

Non blind, I heard a great improvement in my entire system by replacing the stock 20 amp cord going into my Equitech with a cable I made from a formula found on the internet. I also heard improvements with my converters.

As mentioned above the effect is improved punch and 3d effect. Remove the cables and the sound is more flat.

The best explanation I've heard for this is that there is less voltage drop with a better cable and better connectors. Although a piece of gear may be rated at 2 amps of continuous draw, the capacitors actually take huge momentary draws to refill themselves that may be 10 or 20 times the continous draw. The voltage drop in a cheaper cable with inferior connections never fully supplies the caps during these surges.

Also, don't forget that your wall wire is typically 12ga solid core copper -excellent conductor compared to your 18ga stranded cheapo power cords with molded connectors.

If you want a simple and inexpensive taste of improved power cabling, assemble this:

Belden 19364 cable
Shurter 4300.0603 IEC
Pass & Seymour 5266-X AC plug

The shurter IEC has more contact surface than any other plug and it is recommended that you solder the connections rather than use the supplied screws (may not be code). Also be sure to squeeve the contace pins tight so they provide a tighter contection. You can special order these from the electronics suppliers like anixter, newark etc. You'll have to bore out the entrance hole with a drill bit to accomodate the cable.

You should definitely hear improvements on power amps, converters, guitar amps etc and this won't cost much."

This one interests me 'cause ZepDude is using the Equitech power conditioner, not just having the AC cables do the power conditioning. So the only trick AC cable is the one supplying the Equitech with power? Did I get that right? I'm using an Equitech myself and loving it- the stock cable I thought (was told at the factory) was 30 amp.

I have often imagined, instead of 6' IEC cords going to everything in a rack, a nice custom power cord for the whole rack that splits into 18" IECs for each rack item- saves on spaghetti, and why not put an RF filter in the little custom power strip mounted in the rack. Eliminating the spaghetti is enough reason to do it, may as well do it all trick if it's gonna be inexpensive.

9th April 2003	#29
Ted Nightshade Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: state of jefferson Posts: 1,328	ZepDude sez: "I've done blind ABX listening with a high end power cord vs stock power cord. This was on the preamp of a stereo system. Doing this test with a partner in the other room doing the switching, I was able to pick the designer cable as sounding better. My partner did the same. Non blind, I heard a great improvement in my entire system by replacing the stock 20 amp cord going into my Equitech with a cable I made from a formula found on the internet. I also heard improvements with my converters. As mentioned above the effect is improved punch and 3d effect. Remove the cables and the sound is more flat. The best explanation I've heard for this is that there is less voltage drop with a better cable and better connectors. Although a piece of gear may be rated at 2 amps of continuous draw, the capacitors actually take huge momentary draws to refill themselves that may be 10 or 20 times the continous draw. The voltage drop in a cheaper cable with inferior connections never fully supplies the caps during these surges. Also, don't forget that your wall wire is typically 12ga solid core copper -excellent conductor compared to your 18ga stranded cheapo power cords with molded connectors. If you want a simple and inexpensive taste of improved power cabling, assemble this: Belden 19364 cable Shurter 4300.0603 IEC Pass & Seymour 5266-X AC plug The shurter IEC has more contact surface than any other plug and it is recommended that you solder the connections rather than use the supplied screws (may not be code). Also be sure to squeeve the contace pins tight so they provide a tighter contection. You can special order these from the electronics suppliers like anixter, newark etc. You'll have to bore out the entrance hole with a drill bit to accomodate the cable. You should definitely hear improvements on power amps, converters, guitar amps etc and this won't cost much." This one interests me 'cause ZepDude is using the Equitech power conditioner, not just having the AC cables do the power conditioning. So the only trick AC cable is the one supplying the Equitech with power? Did I get that right? I'm using an Equitech myself and loving it- the stock cable I thought (was told at the factory) was 30 amp. I have often imagined, instead of 6' IEC cords going to everything in a rack, a nice custom power cord for the whole rack that splits into 18" IECs for each rack item- saves on spaghetti, and why not put an RF filter in the little custom power strip mounted in the rack. Eliminating the spaghetti is enough reason to do it, may as well do it all trick if it's gonna be inexpensive.