Power cables

[tony]

On a slightly different note I went through the phase of speaker cables also believing that the magical lift it would bring to my components would transform my system to one well above it. I am now cured of this ailment and realise it is the components that are the important thing.
I still will not resort to chicken wire but will not be making any more purchases in that direction regardless of what is promised.
Maybe it is just todays budget that is focusing the mind on reality.

[mick]

Just to add my 2c worth.
I have tried a number of different cables and found differences between most of them.
I have compaired Transparent Audio mains and Nordost Eldorado mains cables. Nordost had more detail and better soundstaging but was leaner in the bass. Transparent had a fuller sound but a more bloated bass. I owned both cables so I was not trying to convince myself that one was worth upgrading, better,etc.
I needed two power cables for my Quad 989's. I tried a set of Van De Hull cables in place of Nordost. I had to take them out after about 20mins as it gave me a headache. The sound was similar in detail but the Van De Hull cables were a bit fuller in the bass. But ,for me, they did not work with the Quads. I did however prefer them in the power amp.
I also tried Andy's Dalkey Audio silver cable and prefered it to the others. It was very open and detailed with a solid bass which was well controled. Most of the cables I bought second hand so were not mad money. Some were cheap even.
As an aside I have compared Nordost SPM and Nordost Quatrofill interconnect cables. Quatrofill was much more spacious and detailed but listening through Quads it was as if the bass panels had been switched off. I got the SPM which were about half the price of the Quatrofills.
I am convinced, from my own listening, that cables make a difference. How much of a difference is up to you. If the improvement or lack of it is worth spending money on is also up to you.
To those who say that there is no proof that cables can make a difference I would say ' absence of proof is not proof of absence'.

[Diapason]

Thanks mick, interesting post indeed.

[Ivor]

I thought I'd replied yesterday... anyhoo here goes a shorter version.
In my current room (no pun intended) it's a dedicated circuit and so pretty clean. The mains cables I had previously don't make much of a difference in this room but they do make a difference. I'm open minded on the issue. If I try a new cable I sit down and play reference disks. Simple as that.

Most of the mains cables I have are through Andy Spencer so not mad money at all. The rest I made myself from cable used in Lavardin amps and decent plugs etc (sourced from http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/). I also have a Consonance Mains box which I picked up cheaply - file that one under "peace of mind".
If I can achieve an upgrade for less than €100 why would I spend thousands on new equipment? I always want to get the last out of what I have before switching to another piece of equipment. That, to me, is infinity preferable to haemorrhaging money and wasting time trying find replacements for what has already worked very well.
My experience with cables generally has led me to believe that they do effect sound. Some very little and some to a very dramatic and obvious degree. If it were just placebo then wouldn't they all be just wonderful? If somebody takes the position that cables can't make a difference then fine. I respect that opinion -I don't agree with it but I do appreciate it. Mind you I expect the same respect in return.

[Derek]

I also tried Andy's Dalkey Audio silver cable and prefered it to the others. It was very open and detailed with a solid bass which was well controlled.

Mick convinced me many moons ago on power cables.
He demoed a CDP with a good quality stock power cable – v- better quality (I think it was Nordost Eldorado), I went out and bought the same, they’re still in my system.

I agree with him on upgrading power cables for Quads.
I did the same for my 63's, again using Dalkey Audio cables (thanks Andy) I found they provided the best synergy, I reckon it’s an essential change in getting the best from them. I haven’t looked back.

[Diapason]

So if you were looking to convince little ol' me about power cables, where would you suggest I start?

[tony]

So if you were looking to convince little ol' me about power cables, where would you suggest I start?

Look just go for the best and be done with it.Valhalla and you will never look back.

[Ivor]

I also tried Andy's Dalkey Audio silver cable and prefered it to the others. It was very open and detailed with a solid bass which was well controlled.

I did the same for my 63's, again using Dalkey Audio cables (thanks Andy) I found they provided the best synergy, I reckon it’s an essential change in getting the best from them. I haven’t looked back.

Same here. I have loads of unopened factory bagged good quality kettle leads in a box (from my IT days) around the the house and tried them in hifi in the early days. They worked well enough but Andy's cables were a clear improvement.

[Ivor]

So if you were looking to convince little ol' me about power cables, where would you suggest I start?

Talk to Andy.

[Derek]

So if you were looking to convince little ol' me about power cables, where would you suggest I start?

Talk to Andy.

Dito