Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat The Old Snake Oil topic

I've tried a number of different power cords on my system and I heard distinct differences in the sound of my system as a result. Interestingly, in some cases the sonic changes I heard from switching power cords were similar to the sonic changes I heard from switching interconnects from the same manufacturer.

For example, the Nordost power cord I tried thinned out the mid bass, increased the articulation of leading edge transients and created better defined imaging of instruments in the soundstage. Swapping in a Nordost interconnect changed the sound in a similar way.

I don't know if it has to do with the use of similar materials or construction across all cables in a manufacturer's line up, including power cords, speaker cables and interconnects, but I find it interesting that a cable manufacturer can impart a "house sound" across all their cables - including power cables.

Regarding the "it's all in your head" theory proposed by members in this thread - one cannot assume that because they could hear no differences between power cords in their system that power cords will not change the sound in other locations and/or in other systems. There a number of variables at play, not the least of which is the equipment being used. What may improve the sound substantially in one system may not work well at all in another system or may not have any impact at all in a third system.

I would suggest we consider the components in the system, the quality of the power in the home and a bunch of other factors before we jump to explanations like the placebo effect.

And so it goes, this is up to the beholder IMHO. Well engineered cables are all that's required IMHO but I may be wrong.
Room treatment, as shown in a recent thread may well be a better way to invest monies in the first instance.
Then well recorded and mastered music on a good system. Then with money to spare, go for any snake oil you choose.
Ducking down, Chris

Lol

Without getting drawn into this again, I'd say I agree, but with a different slant on what 'well engineered' means.

In high end audio, everything, by most people's standards is probably over engineered, yet it sounds sufficiently different that people spend a lot of money on those distinctions. There's well engineered, and better engineered.

Whether one particular person can hear enough of a difference to warrant changing cables is very personal and system/mains supply dependent, IMO.

I totally agree. You can drive yourself crazy trying to find the "best" cables. I'm not sure there is such a thing in the absolute. Find something that works well in your system and within your budget and enjoy the music!

I also agree that you can get much bigger improvements in sound by optimizing your room than by switching out your cables or with other system tweaks. One could argue your room is at least as important as your equipment. Cables can be used to fine tune the sound of your system but should never be used to try to compensate for system or room deficiencies.

Agreed that equipment and room optimization are essential also, and can make bigger subjective differences. It all matters, just to varying degrees - what might prove a big difference in one person's system/room might prove rather minor in others.