[brucek]

He immediately told me that if I really wanted to notice a significant difference as to performance, he suggested I try changing out my power cables.

Let me ask you this. If the manufacturer of a receiver could realize a significant difference as to performance by simply using a different power cord, don't you think they would include it as standard equipment?

brucek

 

[brucek]

I am going thru my power cords now to get my theater back up and running after a remodel. I view pcs as components in and of themselves; as they have characteristics of their own. They can affect the flow of the electrical current thru the cable in many ways. At minimum capacitance, inductance, resistance, etc.

Hopefully, you've replaced the fifty feet of standard electrical cable back to your service panel with cable offering the same characteristics.

brucek

 

[brucek]

I don't think that is good enough. You really should demand the power company run a dedicated line for you straight back the power station. :R

Well, actually the transformer outside your house provides the low output impedance that is required to do a proper job of supplying ample current. The problem is that you have quite a few feet of electrical wire from the pole, through the service panel, and through the walls until you get to the wall socket that your equipment is plugged into. This in-line impedance can actually be lowered with a proper transformer local at your equipment, but the cost can be quite high (something like the Bryston Torus units or similar are quite good). It has to be a large low output impedance transformer that will be able to provide a lot of instantaneous current.

Even replacing the rather limp 99 cent wall receptacles that most people use at their equipment can help quite a bit in lowering the impedance to your equipment. Or, installing dedicated lines are a big help by reducing the number of connections used in regular circuits.

As far as the effect of after market power cords - forget it.

brucek

 

[brucek]

How can I find out what the quality of clean/dirty power (for a better lack of words) is, coming in to my home?

The idea that there is something fundamentally wrong with the AC power that enters our homes is usually unfounded. Most power that enters homes today is quite well regulated and relatively free from noise. It's human nature to assume that an expensive gadget will somehow transform and improve our audio and video systems. The exotic power cord, in my opinion, is at the top of the list of devices you shouldn't spend your money on.

Anyway, probably your best bang for buck would be a dedicated circuit.

brucek