Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems power cord - changed from cynic to beleiver

Just for balance, can someone please link to the article on the problems with ABX testing? I think Bob S mentioned it at some point in the recent past but I can't locate it just now.

The problem with "definitive" 'opinions' like those implied by the linked article above is that it unintentionally (or otherwise) ridicules anyone who has a difference of opinion or experience.


Th question is then what do you mean by 'best'. If you simply mean 'most expensive regardless' then I'll politely disagree completely with you. If you read my post (linked above) you'll see that 'best sounding' was difficult to judge in my home demo's of several cords vs M stock cord. Definitely 'different' sounding but not necessarily 'better' so I stayed with stock.

FWIW I do use some more expensive cables on other items so I'm not landing in either punch or judy camp.

The sample size is too small. The test itself is also in question. Even the writer concedes both these points.

I will start a different post on test.

Anything and everything AC is also outputting pollution back into the rest of the system, even if it is all on a separate circuit.

The problem with many tests is that they are based entirely on human opinions rather than some other more reliable and objective measure.

If it is objective results that count rather than personal opinions, then I can say that I am able to listen to the music at the G68 volume set to 80 for long periods of time with the upgraded power cord, wherease without it, I would't want to go much above 70. Why would that be? SNR is the first reason I can think of.

A good test would be to connect a spectrum analyzer to the analog output of a G68 to measure SNR with and without the upgraded power cord? But unfortuneately, I don't have access to one. Maybe its worth renting one!

Nick,

I would tend to think that upgraded power cables don't make the 8k's sound better. But how about an analog system? I think that is where you would see the most gain. And such a test can be quantified with the G68 because you can connect to the analog output. Please see my previous post about test (with a spectrum analyzer).

It's a good train of thought and links to something that Bob S talked about at HH2 last year. The essence was that the human ear interprets what it hears in the brain and then identifies it internally as "violin" etc. The more work the brain has to do to identify the sound the more fatiguing it is. The opposite is true whereby the easier the task of assigning "violin" to what we hear the less tiring it is. That is perhaps why we like equipment that offers realistic playback and can listen for extended periods to some hi-fi whereas we cannot to others.

I doubt it's as simple as identifying SNR on a powercord, but, the principle is good IMHO.

Hi Axle

Interestingly, one of the cables which I know Nick tried at the time with his 8ks is the one which I use with my 8ks. Whilst Nick observed the differences and chose to remain with stock cables, I found the change to be a worthwhile improvement. So, there's still mileage in auditioning mains cables with DSPs!

Curiously though, whilst I've used the same cables on all the front end kit to very good effect previously, I feel that the the 808.2i, and the G68 when I had it, both get on better with the stock cables.

My conclusion is that the results obtainable can be quite different for every piece of equipment/cable combination, and it's best to get loan cables to try on your own kit, in your own home before purchase. The same applies for mains conditioners.

Cheers

George

I meant the best one you have, not 'the' best money can buy.
Also this becomes arbitrary I realise as the sonic differences high up the food chain will become less apparent compared to the $$$ invested.

But - it's about the fact that it made the 8k's sound (very slightly) different with different cords. The debate I had was whether it was better.

Other 8k owners (Mr Meridian for example) do use non-stock cables on 8k's and find it is 'better'. I don't doubt their views for a second.

Given that inside a DSP speaker we have pre-amps, DACS, amps, x-overs etc, I don't think we can say an 8k is immune and other more obvious front end units are not. If a DAC was in your rack in front of your pre/power amp you'd be sure to include it in your list of units that should have a good power cord. No different if it's inside the DSP.

cheers

That is also my personal experience,
when the sound is better you can lister longer and louder with more fun
the more badly the sound is,the more have the brain to compensate.
Its like reading with non optimum eyeglasses, ou get headache in a short time,
because also the brain have to compensate the bad viewing or identification.
And one thing more, you can speak with your friend or wife very without understand problems with low voices and can clearly understand, even when the hifi is on much higher volume as their voices.
That is also a reason of the better sound quality.
Similar experiences is hearing stereo or surround.

If a power cord could produce measurable improvements on a spectrum analyzer, or any other piece of test equipment, every power cord manufacturer in the world would be touting those results and every high end equipment manufacturer would be using those cords.

I must confess that I have lashed out a fair amount of cash on various cables et all over the years, even though I promised myself not to get involved with all the various religious elements of whether they help or hinder the sound.
So far, as objectively & as sober as possible, I have to admit they do make a difference and as such purchased a number of (Transparent audio power) cables - after listening to various cables & their sonic contribution to the sound in my M setup. Snake oil or not, to me there IS a noticable difference. I also hooked the lot through 2 sets of Richard Gray Parallel Power modules, which again to me makes a difference in a cleaner tighter sound ( again compared to various other competitors. I have no idea how or why they work, though Im pretty certain that differing environmental variables will contribute to an improvemnet or not so caveat emptor I guess.
Notwithstanding the psychological effects of stumping up the money, as there would Im sure be some subjective bias to the sound improvement.
The improvement has been verified objectively by the misses, who:
a) does not care what the box does & more importantly b) does not know how much the cables & paraphenalia cost!!
I even demonstrated this new found phenomina to the awfully nice chaps from M when they were over a while back, however they had to adopt the neutral stance of non-involvement.
Those not laughing, can try another tweak - platt those 3 blue cables you get ( oh do label the ends!!!)with the M equipment, see if that makes any difference.

Cheers
Will