How to A/B Power Cables

[Willco]

I'm curious how people approach trying to A/B evaluate Power Cables for an Amp or Dac? Given that Amps in particular need significant warm up time for optimal sound, there is going to be a long gap between listening to one cable and then another.

Unless the difference between cables is gross, it seems to me, that auditory memory after a 30 or 60 minute pause between listenings is going to be pretty unreliable.

My approach is to listen to familiar reference tracks for at least half an hour, take a half hour break for cable change, and then listen again for half an hour. And then hope my ears/brain are still processing the sound the same way as before...

[Mr Peabody]

I give the amp some warm up time while listening, then when I feel the amp has had enough time, I swap the new cord in as soon as possible, then listen to the last 3 or so tracks in rverse. Unless swapping the cord is difficult and takes a long time your amp shouldn't cool that much that you couldn't continue to listen with the new cord once in place.

For me the power cords in my comparisons had enough difference it was easy to tell what was going on. If it was so close I had no doubt, I'd keep what I had.

[still-one]

I have always felt that power cords can be some of the more difficult cables to A/B. By the time you listen power your gear down, swap and then power everything back up again trying to make sure all volumes are back to equal, my audio memory is being tested.

I always wondered if I could do this to compare power cords. Connect power cord A to my left amp and Power cord B to the right. If I then set output to mono and then compared the sound from each speaker to see if I can hear the difference. If one sounded better I could then swap the amp they are on just to make sure the improved sound moves with the PC. I have never done this but I think it could work.

[UltraFast69]

Listen to Reference, and write down the time marker for specific sections of the song and what you hear in bass, mid and high.

I agree once amps are warm, there warm.

Mono seems like a logical way of doing this.


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[Willco]

Yes, if you have mono amps that's the perfect way to hear any difference and trust your senses with confidence. I have a stereo amp, so will be more of a challenge

[Speedskater]

The most important thing:
Have someone else do the cable switching and not tell you what cable is installed.

Other things:
a] mark the cable path so the all the cables follow the same path.
b] different lengths or paths can have as much impact as different brands.
c] make sure the same hi-fi components are on or off.
d] make sure the same nearby appliances, hi-tech lighting & HVAC are on or off.

[Dizzie]

I have always felt that power cords can be some of the more difficult cables to A/B. By the time you listen power your gear down, swap and then power everything back up again trying to make sure all volumes are back to equal, my audio memory is being tested.

I always wondered if I could do this to compare power cords. Connect power cord A to my left amp and Power cord B to the right. If I then set output to mono and then compared the sound from each speaker to see if I can hear the difference. If one sounded better I could then swap the amp they are on just to make sure the improved sound moves with the PC. I have never done this but I think it could work.

This might work but only if speaker placement is equal and your room is symmetrical in shape and placement of openings, windows, etc.

[still-one]

This might work but only if speaker placement is equal and your room is symmetrical in shape and placement of openings, windows, etc.

Fortunately my room is to a point. As all my gear save for my amps is on one wall I am sure there are differences in the way sound waves arrive at my seating position. That is where my suggestion to swap the cables or power cords would come into play. Nothing is perfect and I don't think it needs to be to make a choice.

[u-sound]

dont forget to warm up the cable itself as well…..

[Mikado463]

The most important thing:
Have someone else do the cable switching and not tell you what cable is installed.

Other things:
a] mark the cable path so the all the cables follow the same path.
b] different lengths or paths can have as much impact as different brands.
c] make sure the same hi-fi components are on or off.
d] make sure the same nearby appliances, hi-tech lighting & HVAC are on or off.

good points .......

dont forget to warm up the cable itself as well…..

LMAO, too funny !

[Dizzie]

good points .......



LMAO, too funny !

I do believe u-sound meant having some current running through each power cord immediately (or soon) before testing. That is where the adapters I mentioned come in handy.

[Mikado463]

I do believe u-sound meant having some current running through each power cord immediately (or soon) before testing. That is where the adapters I mentioned come in handy.

for what reason ?

[u-sound]

lol, i meant that cable a would have the same temperatur as cable b when testing.
copper 21 degree celsius vs. 24 degree comes down to the apple vs orange thing.
probably some electronic carpet with built in precise temperaturcontrol could handle that problem.
equal condition for all cables!
just joking….honestly i think it would be the best to swap the cables from the system you are VERY familar with and then go away get drunk or whatever and in the upcoming days and weeks you can just take the sound without too much concentration and if there is any real improvement you will hear it by your long term memory. then may be switch every week for a few month between a and b and eventually you are there!

[Mikado463]

lol, i meant that cable a would have the same temperatur as cable b when testing.
copper 21 degree celsius vs. 24 degree comes down to the apple vs orange thing.
probably some electronic carpet with built in precise temperaturcontrol could handle that problem.
equal condition for all cables!
just joking….honestly i think it would be the best to swap the cables from the system you are VERY familar with and then go away get drunk or whatever and in the upcoming days and weeks you can just take the sound without too much concentration and if there is any real improvement you will hear it by your long term memory. then may be switch every week for a few month between a and b and eventually you are there!

I'll drink to that !!!! .....

[Speedskater]

The difference between 21 degree Celsius vs. 24 degree is just 1 percent.
For the calculation, remember to start at -273°C.

[u-sound]

I'll drink to that !!!! .....

cheers my friend !!

[u-sound]

The difference between 21 degree Celsius vs. 24 degree is just 1 percent.
For the calculation, remember to start at -273°C.

good point….they somtimes sound warmer when cold and vice versa

[Speedskater]

good point….they somtimes sound warmer when cold and vice versa

Plus you have to consider the temperature of all the wire from that big power company transformer down the street to your hi-fi component.

[u-sound]

nope, the temperature controlled carpet, where you place on your cable, does take care of that issue.
but your neighborhood does influence that big transformer….you might please them to not use any electric gear while you are doing your a vs b