Blind Power Cord Test & results

I was part of the panel for this test. My personal results--the number of times I correctly identified if X was A or B--were dismal, and it sort of left me depressed to tell you the truth. I believe the methodology was sound. At any rate, I was satisfied with it. Please remember that the object was NOT to choose which cable we preferred, it was only to see if we could correctly identify an audible difference--we heard A, then B, then X. Was X=A or was X=B. When I make cable changes at home, this is a no-brainer. The differences are IMMEDIATELY apparent, although my long-term preference may not be.

The ABX testing procedure may be flawed, but I can not dismiss the test results out of hand because they do not support my day-to-day experience as an audiophile. Nor will I abandon the hobby. I just want to know what is true. As much as the error may lie with the testing methodology, it may also lie in the ways we normally listen to components. It may be that our eyes and our brand perceptions and all of our other expectations contribute more to what we hear than we realize or care to admit. I choose to keep an open mind about this. Your mileage may vary.

By the way, I just recently moved from stock power cords to aftermarket cords on my Rowland monoblocks. The difference was huge! Even if an ABX test showed me that I could not realiably tell the difference between stock and pricey, I would still make the upgrade. But I'd like to know.

Not sure if it was mentioned, but the A and B in this test were generic stock cords vs. $2500 Nordost Valhalla PCs.

QUOTEIt may be that our eyes and our brand perceptions and all of our other expectations contribute more to what we hear than we realize or care to admitQUOTE

Generally speaking, of course. Not everyone is taken in by glitz and hype but unfortunately that tends to happen much too often, no doubt. Speaking for myself, and many others I'm sure, I have been pleasantly surprised in the past to prefer a much lower cost alternative. I think, as you eluded to, differences are much more evident in our own systems with which we tend to be intimately familiar with. I would not sell yourself short and certainly would not be dismayed with your performance in the test, which is most likely the least reliable in this case.

Eldart, is not A vs B that's banned, it's DBT. It takes a while to live with something and learn its idiosincracies, though I can tell differences in A vs B comparisons pretty quickly. It's a matter of training the ear.

Albert is trying to explain to you some key aspects of this subject. Take the message and let the dove fly away...

***

The other night I had assumed an expensive power cord was going to be an improvement, so I hooked it up without listening to it and before everyone arrived for the music session.

About an hour into the music I ask one of my group members if he thought things were "off."

He agreed, and I put in the less expensive cord and the system improved drastically.

I have no problem with that, it saves me money every time that happens. I admit I had a prejudice for the premium cord that had proven itself dozens of times in other situations.

Conclusion? I still use the premium cord everywhere it works and NOT where it did not work. The score is two pieces of (newly acquired) gear that did not respond well to the "high priced" version and nine places where the "high priced" cord was the clear winner.

As I stated early on in this thread. You use what you think will work and then test (long term listening) to see what the facts are.

If this test had been done "blind" I could have easily reversed the brands, based on my past experience.

Does this prove ABX is a superior way to determine what brand to use? No, it only proves humans are influenced by what we learn and if your an adult about it, you admit when testing goes against preconceived notions and go with what WORKS.

In addition, many cords do not respond well to short term listening. Some brands change tonal balance simply by plugging and unplugging them from the equipment, this not even taking into effect what powering off does to solid state and tube gear for the first few minutes.

I hesitate to bring that point up, because someone will now argue that the cord does not change if moved and that there is no effect in powering on and off various pieces of gear.

Again, reason to listen long term, if for no other reason than to remove the possibility of those variables.

Again, this test was not about how you decide what works or what you prefer. It was about whether or not you can hear a difference under controlled conditions.

I think we have all preferred the "lesser" product at one time or another. That does not refute the hypothesis that we are influenced by brand, packaging, etc. etc. Price is but one component of brand perception.