So here goes one theory - this does lead to a computer question!
Background -
I'm 25, work at an specialized hifi store in the Bay Area and have had a number of incredible lessons handed down to me from old timers regarding current and stability in digital sources, amplifiers, preamps and processors.
The field I work in is, like the custom build industry, full of opinions and camps subscribing to a variety of notions - some well founded - some founded on brand favoritism... some of it totally batsh*t.
Here is an example of a batsh*t concept that has results EVERY SINGLE TIME as regards clarity and presicion when delivering current to ALL audio equipment.
( drum roll. )
A better power cable.
Really.
Take the average, detachable IEC connected beastie that comes coiled up alongside whatever expensive thing you've just bought and do an A/B test with a third party power cable from, let's say Shunyata or Nordost. Every single time I do this for a customer they're jaws kinda-sorta go sideways and to put a fine point on it - they buy the damn thing. Keep in mind that my shop isn't a pushy bunch of car salesman and some of these things cost $3800 each for 1.8 meters of NASA grade goodness.
The common theory is that your romex is already so cheesy and full of other peoples hair-dryer and electric blender noise that you can't possibly experience more quality without a power conditioning system of some kind - commonly a device known as a regenerator! Guess what doesn't work... regenerators on amplifiers! That's right - Moster Power multisocket devices uniformly limit current to high draw devices hence limiting peak dynamics in an incredibly noticable way.
We call this effect veiling but adjectives bely the fact that it negatively impacts bass control in heavy passages of music, low volume coherency, tonal balance, image, soundstaging, etc.
Fear not - you don't need the circuit protection in most cases for hifi equipment so go ahead and plug her into the wall. That's what the fast snap fuse and safety circuit is for!
Okay now that the amp already sounds better plugged straight into the wall ( in almost all cases this is true, for the sake of this discussion we will assume a positive result! ) switch the standard IEC power cable for a Shunyata Venom, retail $99 or a simalar offering from Audioquest, Nordost or PS audio - whoever.
What you will find is a VAST and systemic improvement due to a cleaner less distorted path from socket to torroid. Feature! - better RF blocking ( lower noise floor ), better terminations at both ends ( less resistance ) and generally a cryogenically treated interior leading to an enhanced durability and surface for transmitting current across a single sheaf as opposed to seperate runs of low grade metal.
So - what would this do to a heavily OC'd PC!?
What I'm getting at here is this - now that we are moving to, in some extreme cases, 1000W power supplies and a deep and abiding need to deliver perfect current to OC'd system just BEGGING for a cleaner more consistent and less resistant power draw.
I'm just really curious as to what the impact would be. My thoughts are that for those having deep stability issues at the target speed may find that plugging in a better power cable would allow for major improvements just as it does in an $80,000 stereo. Hell, they both want juice right.
My one problem is that I do realize most folks tend to use battery backup systems - a wonderful idea functionally - I've no idea how much this would kneecap the effect. My guess is it wouldn't change the available improvement in relation to the already current limited enviroment.
I will be putting together my first PC soon and will test this theory on my own wee white box - hopefully not killing the thing along the way. I guess I just wanted to double check to see if a more stable and higher current available enviroment would improve this whole market. I'd love to hear other theories or feedback from anyone who has a better understanding of the current Vs. stability issue.
Jesus-baby-Christman! This suckers too long! Thanks, sorry, please respond with any thoughts.
Happy February. - me.
Background -
I'm 25, work at an specialized hifi store in the Bay Area and have had a number of incredible lessons handed down to me from old timers regarding current and stability in digital sources, amplifiers, preamps and processors.
The field I work in is, like the custom build industry, full of opinions and camps subscribing to a variety of notions - some well founded - some founded on brand favoritism... some of it totally batsh*t.
Here is an example of a batsh*t concept that has results EVERY SINGLE TIME as regards clarity and presicion when delivering current to ALL audio equipment.
( drum roll. )
A better power cable.
Really.
Take the average, detachable IEC connected beastie that comes coiled up alongside whatever expensive thing you've just bought and do an A/B test with a third party power cable from, let's say Shunyata or Nordost. Every single time I do this for a customer they're jaws kinda-sorta go sideways and to put a fine point on it - they buy the damn thing. Keep in mind that my shop isn't a pushy bunch of car salesman and some of these things cost $3800 each for 1.8 meters of NASA grade goodness.
The common theory is that your romex is already so cheesy and full of other peoples hair-dryer and electric blender noise that you can't possibly experience more quality without a power conditioning system of some kind - commonly a device known as a regenerator! Guess what doesn't work... regenerators on amplifiers! That's right - Moster Power multisocket devices uniformly limit current to high draw devices hence limiting peak dynamics in an incredibly noticable way.
We call this effect veiling but adjectives bely the fact that it negatively impacts bass control in heavy passages of music, low volume coherency, tonal balance, image, soundstaging, etc.
Fear not - you don't need the circuit protection in most cases for hifi equipment so go ahead and plug her into the wall. That's what the fast snap fuse and safety circuit is for!
Okay now that the amp already sounds better plugged straight into the wall ( in almost all cases this is true, for the sake of this discussion we will assume a positive result! ) switch the standard IEC power cable for a Shunyata Venom, retail $99 or a simalar offering from Audioquest, Nordost or PS audio - whoever.
What you will find is a VAST and systemic improvement due to a cleaner less distorted path from socket to torroid. Feature! - better RF blocking ( lower noise floor ), better terminations at both ends ( less resistance ) and generally a cryogenically treated interior leading to an enhanced durability and surface for transmitting current across a single sheaf as opposed to seperate runs of low grade metal.
So - what would this do to a heavily OC'd PC!?
What I'm getting at here is this - now that we are moving to, in some extreme cases, 1000W power supplies and a deep and abiding need to deliver perfect current to OC'd system just BEGGING for a cleaner more consistent and less resistant power draw.
I'm just really curious as to what the impact would be. My thoughts are that for those having deep stability issues at the target speed may find that plugging in a better power cable would allow for major improvements just as it does in an $80,000 stereo. Hell, they both want juice right.
My one problem is that I do realize most folks tend to use battery backup systems - a wonderful idea functionally - I've no idea how much this would kneecap the effect. My guess is it wouldn't change the available improvement in relation to the already current limited enviroment.
I will be putting together my first PC soon and will test this theory on my own wee white box - hopefully not killing the thing along the way. I guess I just wanted to double check to see if a more stable and higher current available enviroment would improve this whole market. I'd love to hear other theories or feedback from anyone who has a better understanding of the current Vs. stability issue.
Jesus-baby-Christman! This suckers too long! Thanks, sorry, please respond with any thoughts.
Happy February. - me.