The Truth About Power Cords and there "Real" Price to Performance

The capacity of Humans for self-delusion is apparently unlimited - Mr.Spock

Nicely said ... but here's the counter point.

Mr. Spock himself is the product of human unlimited self-delusion.  

To All,
This topic most certainly catches the eyes of many who have already gone down this road and many that have not, I myself wondered and asked why so mush for what and I still haven't heard a specific clear answer. What I can say is that  Jay Luong's  27 Best Audiophile Power Cables has been one of the best if not the best attempt to put things somewhat into perspective in regards to the manufactures, models, and prices as well as what to expect at there particular value proposition.

Still today this topic seems to be unsolved I as well many of us still believe that much of whats out there is still marketing hype which again us as the consumers takes the risk of the product not performing and ultimately ending up in the guinea pig walk of shame closest based on many of the above comments in this thread. That being said I invited most all of the manufactures Jay Luong  reviewed and even a few he did not to come to the table to set things straight to only get the age ole my cable is the best as a response along with some build recipes and or formula and why they are in there opinion.

Conclusion and Novel Thought for All:
I would think that by now it would be in everyone/s best interest if the manufacture would lay out what model should best coexist with what brand sound signature and what the consumer should expect to hear along with a 30 day total satisfaction guarantee as does only a few do out there. 

Thanks to dimora and turnbowm for introducing technical analysis into this discussion of the benefits of high end power cables.  I firmly believe that science should be the primary factor in deciding how lovers of pure sound reproduction should spend their money and set their priorities in making their purchases.

As I mentioned earlier,  "I am very skeptical about the actual benefits of the host of fancy expensive power and speaker cords out there. The first thing I notice about the ads and write ups for these devices is the lack of any hard technical performance data - such as improvements in distortion, frequency response, damping factor and noise levels."

In terms of power cables, dimora correctly pointed out that the house wiring leading to the actual power cable could entirely negate any benefits of an elaborate cable shielding or configuration.  In this situation, a power conditioner, coupled with quality standard cable would make a more sensible spending choice.

Electrical engineer turnbowm could find no valid justification for large expenditures on power cables, other than assuring that the current carrying capacity was generous and the quality of the contacts robust.

My “Handbook of Instructions” for my Marantz Model Fifteen vintage power amplifier, makes no mention of replacing the “stock” power cords of this dual unit - and again recommends using ordinary 18 gauge lamp cord for speaker connections up to 30 feet and heavier gauges for longer distances. A unit of this outstanding quality, would surely have suggested using upgraded cables - if “perfectionist” audio designers Sid Smith and Dick Sequerra had any concerns about compromising its performance in any way!

I am again questioning the rationale - other than pure subjective judgement - of expenditures that could be better diverted to more quality electronics or mechanical components in the system. In that case, technical or scientific data could be fully employed to guide purchasing decisions - rather than vague claims by the cable manufacturers to justify their outrageous prices!

In that case, technical or scientific data could be fully employed to guide purchasing decisions - rather than vague claims by the cable manufacturers to justify their outrageous prices
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