Flame suit is officially on since this is firmly in snake oil territory. I was looking at those super expensive Furutech cable lifters and shaking my head when I thought why not just 3D print a small riser to hold up my sagging power cable going to my amp. I have my amp on Iso Pucks right now and the power cable was at a pretty big angle so I figured it wouldn't hurt. Measured and printed and I was 10mm over, so I redesigned and got it to fit perfectly. Placed the riser under the power cable right at the amp input and it was perfectly straight and I sat down to listen thinking I'd need to really analyze if I could hear any difference.
Well, what the heck!? Soundstage expanded considerably, bass extension skyrocketed and highs got very bright. I didn't believe it, so I went back and took it out and listened again and honestly I like the sound without it more because I am already used to it. I put it back in and the difference is pretty shocking and I'm going to leave it in for a few days to see what I think after some time. The only explanation I can think of is that the connection was loose originally (it was, the cable was just hanging out at a big angle even though it was fully plugged in) and by adding a support more of the blades were touching the male contacts on the amp. There is no vibration damping involved, just regular PETG filament but I couldn't believe how much just straightening the blades and providing more contact area would impact the sound. Treble is a bit bright for me now, a tiny bit shouty but I figured I'd post this cheap mod for people who have a 3D printer and have amps like mine that don't have an OEM death grip on the power cable. Strangely, my Topping D90 is such a snug fit that I have to strain just to get the cable pushed in all the way so it probably wouldn't do a single thing to that one. Worth a shot, was not a believer and it was a fun experiment and sure beats dropping big $$$ for an 'official' riser.
Well, what the heck!? Soundstage expanded considerably, bass extension skyrocketed and highs got very bright. I didn't believe it, so I went back and took it out and listened again and honestly I like the sound without it more because I am already used to it. I put it back in and the difference is pretty shocking and I'm going to leave it in for a few days to see what I think after some time. The only explanation I can think of is that the connection was loose originally (it was, the cable was just hanging out at a big angle even though it was fully plugged in) and by adding a support more of the blades were touching the male contacts on the amp. There is no vibration damping involved, just regular PETG filament but I couldn't believe how much just straightening the blades and providing more contact area would impact the sound. Treble is a bit bright for me now, a tiny bit shouty but I figured I'd post this cheap mod for people who have a 3D printer and have amps like mine that don't have an OEM death grip on the power cable. Strangely, my Topping D90 is such a snug fit that I have to strain just to get the cable pushed in all the way so it probably wouldn't do a single thing to that one. Worth a shot, was not a believer and it was a fun experiment and sure beats dropping big $$$ for an 'official' riser.
Thanks for the warm welcome Tillotson. Sorry, don't have time. Working on swapping power cords, changing capacitors to find which one sounds the best, upgrading resistors in my crossover and making sure all my fuses are installed in the right direction. But once I have some measurements, you'll be the first the know. I'm assuming you have a 3D printer and can model, so you are free to run a little science experiment on your own if it gets your rocks off. Cheers. Seriously.
lol. You must be joking, right? The treble gets brighter when you plug it in better? That isnt how electricity works. The power cord isnt some kind of equaliser. You have successfully fooled yourself. The fact you didnt expect a difference; doesnt somehow mitigate expectation bias. So many people seem to mention this. 'I didnt expect it to make a difference, but it did!' like that somehow makes it more believable. Welcome, but hey, there is enough ridiculous claims like this on the internet, we didnt need another one.
Oh...but one more ridiculous claim is exactly what you got Inspector. Look closely and breath it in big boy.
But if you use wood filament, the singers will literally be in the room. A veil will be lifted.
Indeed!
Cracks me up that some actually buy into that stuff.
I suppose you are trying to play word game, since you have little else. Are you just trolling? if so, I suggest you find somewhere on youtube or some facebook thread, because its a bit below the signal to noise ratio we like here. You can think that you have ruled out expectation bias, because in your words, you say you dont have any expectations, but being human, that doesnt make it so. Nice try though.
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Pictures, please!
Are you supporting the cable or just the plug? Both sides, or just the equipment side? All my mains cables are solid core OCC, so not sure normal cable lifters can do much, but curious about elastic plug supporters.
Not sure about where you are analog_sa, but in Australia, using a solid core mains cable would all by itself, void my insurance.
We....there is no we, son, and you don't speak for anyone. You sound like your fuses are all wacky, not installed in the right direction. Take a breath, go get your fourth booster and get on your knees and check your fuses. Start at the source, because that one will make the biggest impact. But just know this, it is very very important for me to convince you. Really, so much is riding on it and I didn't see you coming at all. Just please believe me, it makes a difference in the sound, I'm working on the measurements right now and you'll be the first to get them. Just please believe me, you are so important. What 3D printer do you have? Because if you don't have one, its you who is coming here to troll and I welcome your logic and reason.
No need for a 3D printer, everybody has a toilet, a toothpick and a rubber band.
Actually the smartest comment of this thread, and that is no joke. I'm running the Helix Image DIY power cable, with VH Audio copper for the line, Take Five Audio Cryo 10 gauge for the neutral and regular 12 gauge for the ground and Furutech spades. Gold at the three pronged and and rhodium at the IEC end because only this configuration could satisfy my expectation bias. It is also completely unshielded and is without a doubt acting as an antenna, unless the helix coil blocking that out. But I don't know how electricity works, I just like to spend a lot of money and time on things when deep down I know that the power cable that came with my computer sounds exactly the same as everything else, because science.
Hats off to you sir! You have taken something from Furutech with its cold hard edges and clean metal and made it something beautiful. I thought my 3D printed lifter was something, but it was just a shadow of the levels of expression and artistry that you've posted. This, this picture says so much with so little. Toilet Paper, ubiquitous. Waste, toothpick, wood. An unassuming rubber band holding that cable away from a sea of static electricity from that ghastly carpet. This picture shows our struggle against nature, and the cycle of life, but ultimately it is a hopeful picture because it shows that by humbling ourselves we can learn to live in harmony, and get the best damn audio you've ever heard. I would listen to Keith Don't Go a thousand times with that riser, a thousand times, and each time it would reveal a different story.
Paul Klipsch: "What the world needs is a good 5-watt amplifier."
Better yet, What the world REALLY needs is a SARCASM FONT.
Better yet, What the world REALLY needs is a SARCASM FONT.
I prefer First Watt, as long as it just stays at the First Watt and doesn't got to Watt number 2, because all Watts after the first sound like hot garbage.