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Why an AC Power Cord cannot make a difference

shielded ac cord could be helpful for eliminating AC hum .. isn't necessary if it isn't a problem.. lot cheaper than audioquest wants you to think.
It's unlikely to do anything for AC hum which is going to be conducted rather than radiated. Or magnetically coupled somewhere other than in the power cord (like in the house wiring. Cable shield is in any case pretty ineffective at shielding a 50Hz magnetic field.
 
I haven’t read this thread because I am not believer in ac power cables, but if someone reading this is, please answer a question for me.

Why would a product manufacturer intentionally limit the performance of their product when a simple change, like using a different power cord, could enhance its capabilities?

Surely they would know about these magic cables...
 
One should measure the EMC that is present on the safety ground in your average home situation. :D
Let me be very clear about it ... safety ground is not 'clean' in any way.
It is there for safety reasons in case a device fails in such a way that touching it becomes lethal.

There is nothing 'clean' about safety ground and even screened cable connected via an IEC or other not fully shielded connector on both ends is not working as a shield but as a nice RF antenna.
It is a pity the audio industry choose "ground" as either a signal return, or signal reference.
 
I haven’t read this thread because I am not believer in ac power cables, but if someone reading this is, please answer a question for me.

Why would a product manufacturer intentionally limit the performance of their product when a simple change, like using a different power cord, could enhance its capabilities?

Surely they would know about these magic cables...

The discussion pertains to a very limited scenario where the leakage current between two interconnected devices are out of phase with each other. Such as when a two-prong and a three prong device are connected with RCAs causing audible noises or 'hum'. There, changing the polarity of the two-prong may reduce the issue.
 
Why would a product manufacturer intentionally limit the performance of their product when a simple change, like using a different power cord, could enhance its capabilities?

setting aside snake oil cables, manufactures use cables that they think will work adequately for the average user in their target market.
 
shielded ac cord could be helpful for eliminating AC hum .. isn't necessary if it isn't a problem.. lot cheaper than audioquest wants you to think.
A common technique for EMI troubleshooting is to wrap the cable(s) with several layers of tinfoil and bonding it in various places. Does it make a difference?
But that is only effective at high frequencies, not the typical power line related EMI. Those typically are from being routed close to a power transformer or similar.
There, having a tightly wound power cord tends to work best. It minimized the "loop area" for the 50/60 magnetic waves to induce current on the power line. Assuming one can not move it away from the source.
 
‘Adequate’ suggests there are improvements to be gained when clearly there are not, use a power cable that conforms to your territories regulations.
Keith
 
‘Adequate’ suggests there are improvements to be gained when clearly there are not, use a power cable that conforms to your territories regulations.
Keith

I said adequate because they aren't providing cables to handle every possible consumer electrical issues. For example it's still not hard to find homes with none grounded outlets, or knob & tube wiring!
 
I said adequate because they aren't providing cables to handle every possible consumer electrical issues. For example it's still not hard to find homes with none grounded outlets, or knob & tube wiring!

How can a power cable help with either of these situations?
 
How can a power cable help with either of these situations?

It's just an example of what a manufacture need to consider. Imo, far to many people enter into discussions such as this with little knowledge about what potential issues exist.

And just to be clear I'm not suggesting ridiculously priced power cables make any difference with regards to audio quality.
 
Here is a nice simple overview of why usb-c/thunderbolt cables can very drastically in price. I will say I thin the apple cable is as pricy as it is, because of the ever present apple tax.
 
Here is a nice simple overview of why usb-c/thunderbolt cables can very drastically in price. I will say I thin the apple cable is as pricy as it is, because of the ever present apple tax.
Which has nothing at all to do with mains power cables.
 
Which has nothing at all to do with mains power cables.

You didn't watch the video did you?

Things that are similar and matter.
  • what gauge are the conductors
  • how well insulated are the conductors
  • how well insulated is the cable
  • does the cable have strain relive and how good is it
  • how good are the terminations
  • how well are the cables connected to the terminations


 
How can a power cable help with either of these situations?
They used to offer power cables which instead of having a ground plug, had a screw terminal to attach a separate ground wire to. I think they were meant to enable a connection to copper piping. At some point, they came out with "cheater plugs". I wonder how many are aware that the screw down tab is intended to pass ground?
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Personally, if you are running grounds I would also update the wall sockets/plate.
 
You didn't watch the video did you?

Things that are similar and matter.
  • what gauge are the conductors
  • how well insulated are the conductors
  • how well insulated is the cable
  • does the cable have strain relive and how good is it
  • how good are the terminations
  • how well are the cables connected to the terminations

Those properties would apply to all cables, not just audiophile ones, which I think are overpriced and bring no benefit after ampacity requirements are met..
 
You didn't watch the video did you?

Things that are similar and matter.
  • what gauge are the conductors
  • how well insulated are the conductors
  • how well insulated is the cable
  • does the cable have strain relive and how good is it
  • how good are the terminations
  • how well are the cables connected to the terminations



And which bog standard certified "kettle cord" as shipped with the even the cheapest appliances you buy at Walmart, doesn't meet all those requirements?
 
And which bog standard certified "kettle cord" as shipped with the even the cheapest appliances you buy at Walmart, doesn't meet all those requirements?

I've had to "fix" multiple vacuum cleaners over the years because the strain relief wasn't up to snuff.
 
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