How power cables matter

There's always controversy around the idea of cables making a sonic difference. Paul tries to help clear some of the proverbial mud.

[DOS-jxwy]

Power cables are important, simply upgrading the lead on my kettle, has improved the flavour, depth and ambient temperature of my tea, I'm now saving for a lead for my toaster!

[hamidrezahabibi]

Which brands of power cables fit the male shielding 🛡️ criteria?

[judmcc]

I'd like to see the results of bona fide blind listening tests.

[NormcoreGreg]

Great explanation of the importance of quality power cables and why they DO matter. Thanks Paul!

[lmanna]

Next time you go to the hospital check out the cable of the thingy that measures your blood pressure. Grab it and read the label. Or when you go to your next EKG do the same. Nurses leave that equipment in the room. Those cables cost few $ per foot and if they are good to read, amplify and register your weak bio signal with no error they are more then excellent for your audio equipment.

[Chris-ndse]

Most well designed amplifiers filter out any noise anyway so the generic power cables that come supplied with equipment should be fine.

[Roof_Pizza]

My vacuum cleaner also has a detachable cord, should I upgrade that one as well?

[stswim]

this maybe a silly question, do ps audio sound test their equipment with the standard cable that comes with it or an aftermarket cable?

[bryanwilliams]

I had some noise (quite audible)..It was a noisy preamp tube. Changed it, noise gone..I only use ordinary power cables..The noise floor is pretty low .

[simonheffernan]

What about hardwired cables? Is there a solution?

[boominfree]

hi paul what kind of power cables would you recommend for EV Evolve 50 in a live sound situation?

[edd]

With respect, two questions. You actually provide a cable you would throw away? Then provide no cable and sell some worthy options. Providing what you admit is junk just doesn’t seem right. Secondly, you are saying that the benefit is to the equipment OTHER than that using the cable? Can you elaborate further?

[jeffhigh]

So the shielding on the power cable stops the noise escaping from your electronic component from returning to it and going through rectification and filtering, but leaves the original component noise within the chassis. Hmmm

[AudioheavenDenmark]

If the shield is only connected at the make end. How on earth will you then lead away the noise from the equipment?

[MK-rnhm]

I have PS Audio power cable. I can’t tell any obvious sonic difference but I do feel good having one now that I understand the basics of this science

[markvalery]

Thanks for explaining the proper type of shielded power cable. Now, how do I verify all my extra power cords for old compute servers are properly grounded only to the male ground plug? Stick a needle into the outside and hope I only hit the shielding and check for continuity? Or I could just buy one, but I have a bunch of old 14 gauge power cords.

[MarkThomas-hmju]

I always read that terminating the ground at one end has a propensity to create a high frequency antenna effect at the ungrounded end.

[tothemax]

Power cable or 20yr old amp with ageing OG caps? priorities. I do have Furutech power cables with basic plugs, easy to make, cheap and they look good.

[Antvin]

so why is PS audio not in the cable biz anymore ?

[jjarango]

Paul, your insights are invaluable in this matter. I appreciate your expertise and agree with your perspective.
I have a DAC and a top-of-the-line Preamp from PSAUDIO and would like to upgrade my power cables (there are seven of them).
The ones I currently have are, in theory, "audiophile, " but I purchased them on Amazon for anywhere from $50 to $80 without knowing whether or not they meet the technical requirements you mentioned in the video.
The problem is that the supply of cables is enormous. There are many brands, and within each brand, there are several references. One must figure out what to do because one only wants to pay what is necessary to meet the technical requirements. So, if a cable of reference A costs 200 dollars and the same company sells another reference B, which costs 400 dollars, does it mean that one needs to be better insulated than the other? How can the same manufacturer possibly sell you two cables at different prices? Is it that there is one that does not work? Some cables cost several thousand dollars. It's ridiculous!
After a certain point, the subject of cables becomes very similar to that of jewelry. That is to say, it seems to me that luxury is part of the high prices one sees. I am not against luxury; whoever wants to buy a gold Rolex or several and can afford it is perfect. But in the face of so many cables, if one wants ones that comply technically but are not "luxury, " one simply does not know what to buy.
In short, we need your help. Please tell us (without fear, because it would be very helpful for all of us) a brand and reference that meets the technical requirements at the lowest possible price. I will buy them immediately.