Power cords and TV's

[emac]

I guess I'm opening myself up to all sorts of ridicule here, but I'll go ahead with it anyway. I'm of the opinion that power cords make a difference, but not a very large one in most cases. And in some cases, there isn't a difference at all. Which is why I refuse to spend any significant amount of money on them. I just use whatever I have around.

Anyway, I have a 67" Samsung DLP and thought that it would be interesting to try out some different power cords to see what, if any difference, there would be. I figured that while audio quality can be pretty subjective, visual should be pretty consistent, especially if the TV has been calibrated. With 2 of the cords (including a Volex 17064), there was no difference I could see. However, with one of the others the picture was noticeably darker with every channel as well as Blu-Rays. If I'd stayed with it, I would have had to recalibrate the TV. I switched back to the one of the other cords, and things looked right again.

So, vinteresting results in my mind and pretty convincing to me that power cords can make a different. Not a huge one, granted, but it was visually clear.

[Jerrin]

Very interesting Emac.

I don't have as much experience with audio as many others on this site, but after trying an aftermarket cord myself, I felt like there was a significant difference. I had been using the power cords that came with my equipment, but then I heard about the iron lung jellyfish. At such a low price I decided to give it a try. It made a difference, but it was fairly subtle in my opinion.

I later tried a different cord and it made a significant difference in the sound of my system. My system sounded more lively and forward. I probably should state that I used the power cords on my cd player only, and thus have no idea what they would do (or not) elsewhere in the chain.

I'm not going to say that the power cords make or break a system. However, I will say that on my system they do appear to make a mild, but noticable, difference in the sound.

[lngbruno]

Okay guys, I thought it went without saying but I guess I need to spell it out for you. WADR, please post what PC's you used and in the case of Jerrin, please mention the brand of electronics too. This will help others if they decide to walk in your footsteps...

:thumbsup:
Lou

[emac]

Okay guys, I thought it went without saying but I guess I need to spell it out for you. WADR, please post what PC's you used and in the case of Jerrin, please mention the brand of electronics too. This will help others if they decide to walk in your footsteps...

:thumbsup:
Lou

In this case, I didn't mention the types of power cords on purpose since I don't think it's worth mentioning. Aside from the Volex, they are all generic ones that I have laying around (e.g. from other equipment or computers). In my mind, it's not so much about spending a lot of money on interconnects or power cords because it's the synergy with the electronics that matters the most. So, you could have the most expensive IC or PC, and it doesn't sound good in your system because it doesn't synergize. Meanwhile, something that is cheap can sound much better than the ultra expensive kind. And it's very difficult to tell ahead of time what's going to synergize well. So, my theory is to get a bunch of relatively cheap IC's or PC's and try them out to see what works best to my ears/eyes. Inexpensive fun at very least.

[Jerrin]

In this case, I didn't mention the types of power cords on purpose since I don't think it's worth mentioning. Aside from the Volex, they are all generic ones that I have laying around (e.g. from other equipment or computers). In my mind, it's not so much about spending a lot of money on interconnects or power cords because it's the synergy with the electronics that matters the most. So, you could have the most expensive IC or PC, and it doesn't sound good in your system because it doesn't synergize. Meanwhile, something that is cheap can sound much better than the ultra expensive kind. And it's very difficult to tell ahead of time what's going to synergize well. So, my theory is to get a bunch of relatively cheap IC's or PC's and try them out to see what works best to my ears/eyes. Inexpensive fun at very least.

Ditto. In addition, I didn't want to sound like an ad for a certain manufacturer's products. Will say that the Iron Lung Jellyfish is a good cord and gave me some good results. I caught my second cord, and the one I much prefer, on sale. I never would have bought it otherwise. Well... unheard anyway.

[PhenomeNhan]

As posted on the AV123 forum a while ago, I made my own power cord for my plasma TV. I thought the thing costs over $3K, so what's another $40 for a nice power cable.

[myaudiocd]

As posted on the AV123 forum a while ago, I made my own power cord for my plasma TV. I thought the thing costs over $3K, so what's another $40 for a nice power cable.

And did it make a difference for you Nhan? Haven't seen the av123 thread, but I do have a new PRO141 to play with.

[emac]

Ditto. In addition, I didn't want to sound like an ad for a certain manufacturer's products. Will say that the Iron Lung Jellyfish is a good cord and gave me some good results. I caught my second cord, and the one I much prefer, on sale. I never would have bought it otherwise. Well... unheard anyway.

I read somewhere that the Jellyfish are actually Quail hospital grade PC's that have been marked up significantly. But no differences. They can be bought from Quail for a shade under $10, though you do need to buy at least $50 worth. Amazing what some people in audio do.

[PhenomeNhan]

And did it make a difference for you Nhan? Haven't seen the av123 thread, but I do have a new PRO141 to play with.

That was about 3 years ago. I don't remember even hooking up the standard PC to the plasma. I can try to hook up a nice PC to my DLP and see if I can spot a difference tonight.

[Jerrin]

That's interesting Emac. Thanks, I hadn't heard that.

Regardless of it's origins, it is a nice little cable.

Do you have any other ideas on good inexpensive cables?

[Stereodude]

Someone's been :animal house:

I'm sure you measured the brightness with a photometer right?

[emac]

Someone's been :animal house:

I'm sure you measured the brightness with a photometer right?

Sure did. Got one of those handy, of course. Doesn't everyone?

Do you have any other ideas on good inexpensive cables?

Volex 17604 for around $10.