Quote Originally Posted by Audioman00
I have just discovered that some people think that replacing the 'stock' power cable to your amp/receiver will help sound quality? sounds crazy but hey ya never know, any advice as to what replacement cable I would use for a Yamaha receiver? Or does the story hold any water? thanks for any input on this subject.
My anecdotal experience is that power cords can improve the sound of some systems. It depends upon the resolution of the system in question and various environmental factors. The usual argument against such being the case is "how can the last six feet of whatever wire improve miles and miles of mediocre aluminum wiring?"

While the jury is out from a strictly objective standpoint, the answer is evident if you reverse the usual assumption. Why is the first six feet important? The answer is that the villains you are combatting are not found miles away in a sub station. They are found within your house, often inches or feet away from your receiver in the guise as digital devices (CDPs, Cable boxes, etc.) or other RF generating sources found elsewhere in your house. "Fancy" power cords are more than just wires and plugs. They are typically shielded, sometimes in multiple ways, and often include RF trap circuits wired into them. Consequently, they may reduce the amount of RF injected into the amplification stages.

What I detect with better cords in place is a darker, quieter background that allows more musical detail to come forth and be more evident. The differences are not night and day in magnitude. On the other hand, they can offer cost effective improvements for those who value greater musical detail in their systems.

If you are willing to waste $15 bucks, I would second the vote for buying the shielded 14 gauge Volex cable referenced above. That cable can determine whether or not your system is sensitive to power cords.

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