Power Cords

[Scott_F]

Huge discussion I was in recently on heavy duty upgraded power cords for your amp.

Mercury sells 12 and 14 gauge versions. I've always used 18 mostly because that's what Mojo offers and I get much of my parts from them as they give me great builder discounts.

Lava sells one for 85 bucks or so.

Some folks claim snake oil while others claim they can hear the diff.

I have found 14/3 cables on the internet with properly sized strain reliefs for Tweed and good IEC connectors for everything else. And they are still rather inexpensive.

So I'm moving on to 14awg from now on. Not from a marketing perspective but from a ruggedness and reliability perspective.

And of course I'm going to A/B/C a 14, 18 and a POS 22 or so if I can find one this weekend. I'm curious if I can hear the diff.

For the record, the 65amps Tupelo I grabbed last year came with a 14awg Mercury cable (you can spot the MM ones as they only come in red).

I've not purchased a 12.

Thoughts? Tone improvement or snake oil?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Power Cords

Other cables make a tangible difference. Speaker, instrument. Why wouldn't a power cable?

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Power Cords

In 25 plus years of gigging and more than that playing guitar I have never had an IEC cord go bad. 18/3 will carry 10 amps which is way more than enough for any guitar amp. But a 14/3 cord will only set you back what?...12 bucks? I seriously doubt anybody could show any improvement. The romex in your wall is 14/12 for a 15/20 amp circuit respectively. Of course that's solid wire. Why would I need a 6 foot power cord that rivaled or even bettered what's in the wall?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Power Cords

Voltage drop and reliability. I also have never had an IEC cable go bad. That's the point of stranded cable, more flexibility. I'd say strain relief is far more important.

Regarding voltage drop, that's up to you to calculate and determine if there's an issue. It might change tone, but:
A. I'd be far more worried about safety with a cable too small
B. You have plenty of opportunities in amp circuit design to lower voltages, the cable isn't the place to do it.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Power Cords

i prefer bigger longer cords most of the time. 14 gauge 15' is nice

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Power Cords

Snake oil. But it doesn't hurt to use those of larger gauge. None should cost over $15-$20 for lengths commonly used for guitar amps. Spend your extra $$ elsewhere.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Power Cords

Snake Oil IMO. I definitely go for a thicker one for reliability standpoint, and of course, sufficient amperage rating. in a studio setting I can see things MAYBE making a slight difference, but at that dirty club your playing next weekend...0.

 

[mantis]

Re: Power Cords

I use Audioquest upgraded power cords on my rig. If for nothing else it keeps RF and EMI interference out of my signal chain. They are shielded cables so they keep their signal in it instead of bleeding into my instrument cables.
Nothing wrong with upgrade power cords.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Power Cords

i prefer bigger longer cords most of the time.

You leave me no choice, dude...

Seriously, though, you can have the Trans-Alaska Pipeline of power cords, but it won't mean anything if the power itself is full of voltage swings, RFI and buzz -- assuming the wiring in the venue even meets minimum local codes.

Proper strain relief, physical durability and shock/insulation mean more to me.
If it can take a beating, power my gear, and keep me and my stuff from frying, it's going in the gig bag.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Power Cords

i want the length so i dont need an extension cord and like the girth for reliability's sake. long and thick baby!

i dont notice a difference in tone though

 

[Hank-]

Re: Power Cords

Tone improvement, why would it? The job it does is supply power, so the source of the power is important.

By the power of Grayskull, I have the Pow WAHHHH!!!

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Power Cords

I have some Shunyata 12 AWG shielded cords. They have tight-fitting ends on them and they look cool. They are purple.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Power Cords

I am more worried about the power coming out of the socket at some of the sketchy places and festivals I've played at. Spending a lot of money on a power cable won't help if the power fluctuates between 85 and 200 volts (this actually happened).

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Power Cords

^^ I bet it did.

If I was touring and/ or played in unfamiliar places more I would definitely invest in a power conditioner / regulator (like real ones...not the glorified rackmount surge protector)

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Power Cords

^^ I bet it did.

If I was touring and/ or played in unfamiliar places more I would definitely invest in a power conditioner / regulator (like real ones...not the glorified rackmount surge protector)

That's a good investment for playing live.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Power Cords

http://www.elrodpowersystems.com/eps_006.htm

 

[devastone]

Re: Power Cords

I'm calling snake oil on over priced power cords, as long as they are reliable and carry enough current, which an 18AWG will do, proper conditioning at the source to avoid spikes is way more important.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Power Cords

I believe in a small amount of overkill.

 

[devastone]

Re: Power Cords

Then use a 16 or 14 gauge IEC cord, but if you pay over $15 for an IEC power cord you probably got ripped. Those Elrod power cords are total overkill.

FWIW, these audiophile guys think they are great - https://forum.audiogon.com/discussi...-systems-gold-statement-power-cord-power-cord

IMHO, a lot of audiophile guys will stand in line for new, improved ice in Antarctica. I have a degree in electronics, but will admit that I am out of practice, I have been doing mechanical design for the past 20+ years. I have worked with some amazing electrical engineers though including one who has done a lot of audio projects, and he thinks pretty much the same thing.

Here's some fun stuff:
http://gizmodo.com/371536/300-audiophile-grade-power-cable-is-really-worth-15
http://goodmath.scientopia.org/2011/12/30/audiophiles-and-the-need-to-be-special/

And if you are bored and like statistics 'n stuff - http://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/feature-article-blind-test-power-cords-12-2004.html

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Power Cords

I believe in a small amount of overkill.

I've seen enough crime dramas on the television machine to totally agree with this. What's wrong with making sure they're not gonna get you?