Do Hi-Fi Mains Power Cables Really Make a Difference?
Few topics in hi-fi generate more heat and less light than mains power cables. Critics argue that a cable carrying 50Hz AC current cannot possibly affect the sound of audio equipment. Believers insist the improvements are among the most significant they have experienced. Both sides frequently talk past each other. This article tries to cut through the noise and give you a clear, honest picture of what is actually happening and when a mains cable upgrade is genuinely worth considering.
Phillip Powell
15 March 2026
9 min
