Audiophile power cords vs. the cables in your walls

[DaveC]

Agreed. I'm also a scientist (retired/wildlife conservation...which is also rationally-based). But the patent application satisfied the examiner to a sufficient degree that it was granted. I'm simply noting that the inventor was "surprised" by the outcome - which you and I are, also - so that indicates to me that there are variables at play which have not yet been identified. That's the extent of my argument.

A patent isn't an endorsement that it's a good idea.

Resistance is a big deal, but only when we're talking about cheap commodity grade cables with spot-welded molded connectors. If we're using heavy gauge wire and connectors with wire clamps, we can assume low resistance and with a short cable, it's mostly insignificant. Audio oriented power cables tend to use much heavier gauge wire than is strictly necessary because it sounds better. It's very simple to achieve low resistance, so any decent cable will have very low resistance. Of course, I do NOT consider cables with spot-welded molded connectors decent or high quality, they are cheap and good enough for most applications outside of audio.

Assuming a quality low-resistance cable, everything else makes a much larger difference. Materials and electrical properties are key. You want low inductance but you can't increase capacitance too much. Connectors are much more important than most would think.

 

[Atmasphere]

That would be nice if it were that simple. Low resistance is as simple as using 10-14awg. The sound and why the sound changes has a lot more to do with other attributes, in more significant ways. Sadly it doesn't measure like anything really so it is insanely frustrating to understand why it does affect sound so much.

The other attribute is bandwidth. This is required because a lot of audio products have conventional power supplies using a transformer, rectifier and filter capacitors. When the filter caps are charged the rectifier can only conduct at the top of the waveform, for a very short time.

If the cable is lacking bandwidth that current spike will not happen properly and the power supply will not be charged as well. In some products that can make a measurable and audible difference, in others not so much.

Equipment that has a low power draw, like a class D amp and especially a class D amp with a lot of feedback (self oscillating) will not be affected by a power cord very much at all. But a large class A solid state or a large tube amp will notice these sorts of things. So YMMV.

 

[DaveC]

Exactly, it is best to use high-purity copper cable, good ferrules with suitable pliers. The contact surfaces should be heavily silver-plated, such as Neutrik Powercon or Kaiser plugs ( contacts& screws thick silverplated)
View attachment 162022

Those look to be set-screws which are not quite as good as wire clamps.

Furutech sells the FI-06 and FI-09 IEC inlets, the 06 version is set-screw, 09 is clamp... 09 sounds much better. I'd look for connectors with wire clamps.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Those look to be set-screws which are not quite as good as wire clamps.

Furutech sells the FI-06 and FI-09 IEC inlets, the 06 version is set-screw, 09 is clamp... 09 sounds much better. I'd look for connectors with wire clamps.

I don't like furutech things, they're expensive, they're not well made, sorry, I'd rather berylium copper kaiser ice plugs and sockets.
P.S Beryllium ensures that copper always has contact hardness and does not become soft and that the contact no longer has the same contact pressure after being plugged in several times.

 

[Atmasphere]

I don't like furutech things, they're expensive, they're not well made, sorry, I'd rather berylium copper kaiser ice plugs and sockets.

Yes; IMO Neutrik makes better parts.

 

[DaveC]

I mean, your opinions are your own but to claim Furutech parts aren't "well made" is ridiculous... or that Neutrik is better, lol... that comes from very strong biases combined with a fertile imagination. It's blatant misinformation that isn't based on experience, but considering the source, that's par for the course. Don't let your biases get in the way of reality, folks.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I mean, your opinions are your own but to claim Furutech parts aren't "well made" is ridiculous... or that Neutrik is better, lol... that comes from very strong biases combined with a fertile imagination. It's blatant misinformation that isn't based on experience, but considering the source, that's par for the course. Don't let your biases get in the way of reality, folks.

Then please explain to me why Furutech plugs are gold plated and shiny. If you use OFC copper directly gold-plated, they are matt and not shiny. If it's shiny, there's always a layer of nickel in between that conducts poorly.
Exsample direct plated gold on copper

 

[Atmasphere]

We've been using Neutrik about 40 years. We have tried other connectors of course but for the most part were underwhelmed. Neutrik's parts can be a bit disarming as they don't look like much. But they go through quite a few lengths to insure the products work properly. The material used as insulator in their XLR connectors is a good example. It is proprietary and intended to present a high quality durable dielectric since all connectors have capacitance.

I've never had one fail. But I've seen other XLRs that had problems just getting them to fit together as apparently the dimensions weren't even right. Why pay a lot more for that when a better solution is readily available?

If it's shiny, there's always a layer of nickel in between that conducts poorly.

It could also be a beryllium copper base.

 

[DaveC]

Then please explain to me why Furutech plugs are gold plated and shiny. If you use OFC copper directly gold-plated, they are matt and not shiny. If it's shiny, there's always a layer of nickel in between that conducts poorly.
Exsample direct plated gold on copperView attachment 162027

Direct plated gold sublimates into the copper, this is why very few companies do it, and if they do I think it's questionable.


Neutrik parts are high quality commodity level parts, they just don't use the best quality materials possible as that costs more. Brass and bronze are not horrible but do have a sound character, they add some grain, but in comparison pure copper doesn't add the same grain. Also, pure copper sounds far better when plated with silver or rhodium, as those plating materials don't add warmth to smooth out the grain. The typical gold plated brass connectors add both grain and warmth which reduces resolution.

 

[DasguteOhr]

We've been using Neutrik about 40 years. We have tried other connectors of course but for the most part were underwhelmed. Neutrik's parts can be a bit disarming as they don't look like much. But they go through quite a few lengths to insure the products work properly. The material used as insulator in their XLR connectors is a good example. It is proprietary and intended to present a high quality durable dielectric since all connectors have capacitance.

I've never had one fail. But I've seen other XLRs that had problems just getting them to fit together as apparently the dimensions weren't even right. Why pay a lot more for that when a better solution is readily available?

+1
Love the profi 2 rca plug simply unplug it during operation, don't always switch off the tubes when you want to change cables. no banging or annoying noises. Can be soldered very well, very good dielectric

It could also be a beryllium copper base.

Yes nickel, tellurium and beryllium but but mostly nickel because it's cheap and easy to process.Just ask a local goldsmith how it's done and they're very knowledgeable about metals and processes.

 

[Atmasphere]

Yes nickel, tellurium and beryllium but but mostly nickel because it's cheap and easy to process.Just ask a local goldsmith how it's done and they're very knowledgeable about metals and processes.

Yes. I think the better gold plated parts use the beryllium copper instead. It seems less common.

 

[marty]

Then please explain to me why Furutech plugs are gold plated and shiny. If you use OFC copper directly gold-plated, they are matt and not shiny. If it's shiny, there's always a layer of nickel in between that conducts poorly.
Exsample direct plated gold on copperView attachment 162027

I don't think gold plating on copper results in matt finish unless the recipient metal is etched first (typically using an acid or a base such as ammonia). There are several factors which determine if a plated metal will be shiny or dull after plating. Some factors are the metal itself. Nickel for example, when etched and then plated with gold results in a shiny surface. Polishing a copper surface prior to gold plating can also result in a bright surface if brighteners are added to the plating process to create a bright gold plating bath. The reason I have some knowledge of this is that my dad was a large manufacturing jeweler in NYC and in my early teen years, I worked summers in his factory and did a lot of casting (using the ancient lost wax process to make rings) as well as plating. I learned casting from my cousin who was only a few years older than I was, who learned it from his dad who was a founder of the company. This was interesting work but never overshadowed the joy of lunchtime, which rescued me from working in an environment that was probably punishable by law today as we didn't have exhaust vents or effective air conditioning by the ovens in the casting room. I wouldn't be surprised if my lungs are partially gold plated to this day, which may be why I am cancer free as far as I know! To say I was happy when I was finally transferred out of the casting room to the front office is an understatement. (Where was OSHA when I needed them?)

 

[DasguteOhr]

I don't think gold plating on copper results in matt finish unless the recipient metal is etched first (typically using an acid or a base such as ammonia). There are several factors which determine if a plated metal will be shiny or dull after plating. Some factors are the metal itself. Nickel for example, when etched and then plated with gold results in a shiny surface. Polishing a copper surface prior to gold plating can also result in a bright surface if brighteners are added to the plating process to create a bright gold plating bath. The reason I have some knowledge of this is that my dad was a large manufacturing jeweler in NYC and in my early teen years, I worked summers in his factory and did a lot of casting (using the ancient lost wax process to make rings) as well as plating. I learned casting from my cousin who was only a few years older than I was, who learned it from his dad who was a founder of the company. This was interesting work but never overshadowed the joy of lunchtime, which rescued me from working in an environment that was probably punishable by law today as we didn't have exhaust vents or effective air conditioning by the ovens in the casting room. I wouldn't be surprised if my lungs are partially gold plated to this day, which may be why I am cancer free as far as I know! To say I was happy when I was finally transferred out of the casting room to the front office is an understatement. (Where was OSHA when I needed them?)

Today, technology has advanced to the extent that the surface of materials can be refined. For example, this paint can be used to restore switching contacts in old hi-fi devices and works with electrolysis.

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Unfortunately, most high-end companies don't provide exact information about how it happens. That's why I like companies like Neutrik, you can find out everything about contact materials, contact resistances, etc.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Direct plated gold sublimates into the copper, this is why very few companies do it, and if they do I think it's questionable.

I always found the directplated cmc pure copper & silver conectors amazing good quality & sound.

Neutrik parts are high quality commodity level parts, they just don't use the best quality materials possible as that costs more. Brass and bronze are not horrible but do have a sound character, they add some grain, but in comparison pure copper doesn't add the same grain. Also, pure copper sounds far better when plated with silver or rhodium, as those plating materials don't add warmth to smooth out the grain. The typical gold plated brass connectors add both grain and warmth which reduces resolution.

I'm not sure if it's the material of the plugs or how the cable is connected to the plugs. I think the contact points are the secret.