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Hearing is believing?........power cables.......

For anyone who is skeptical about the difference a high quality power cord can make in your high quality audio system........try it.......hearing is believing. About 10 years ago when I bought my first "entry level" hifi system (B&K amp/preamp, Canton speakers) my audio advisor dropped off a Tara Labs Prism power cord. He said just try it for a week and if you don't think it makes a difference just return it. I, like most unfamiliar with high quality cables, was skeptical.......how could a cable 1 meter long from the wall to my equipment make a difference? I put it on the power amp and yes I could definitely tell there was a more defined bass and overall clearer soundscape. I'm a musicians, so I figured maybe the "non audiophile" can't hear the difference. So my brother-in-law who is a bricklayer came over and we did a blind listening test. I randomly switched the Tara, sometimes trying to fool him......told him I switched but didn't........he could tell every time I used the Tara! So I was convinced that it was "wishful thinking on my part or particularly sensitive ears. If you don't think a great power cable can make a difference........take the challenge. Try one for a week and see (hear) for yourself!
128x128mikeelzeysguitarstudio
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
I definitely meant it in the ’hey kid, try this awesome stuff’ way..

The cable is definitely calming down, I’m very happy with its sound. I won’t bother confirming whether my soundstage has gotten wider, etc, etc, only because, if you’ve already suggested it, then I’ll be primed to hear it. I do believe that what I called increased space between instruments and improved clarity after my first listen could easily be interpreted as an increase in soundstage.. besides sounding great, though, I'm really impressed how much it has reduced the hum in my TT, which wasn't really all that bad, but now it's hardly audible from 1'.

Either way, the helix is definitely a great design. I’ve posted links to your info blog in numerous threads around here.. it’s funny, though. People just like to buy the fancy bulk cable and expensive connectors for DIY. Ain’t nobody wanna work for their cables! :-)
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
au contraire - I am one of those who creates change

you should have written: No debate, some think they hear change but are really victims of palebo effect
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
Randy, I'm not sure what you're trying to say.. are you suggesting all cables are placebo?

Here's my perspective: I came into cables expecting nothing. I had read enough about fancy cables to feel the need to disprove their efficacy to myself. Despite this perspective, I found my first use of non stock cables to be ear opening, despite what I was expecting and hoping to prove to myself.
So don't think all of us cable proponents are nothing but fools brainwashed by cable company hype. Some of us, many of us even, came around reluctantly to cables. So, please either come out and say what you mean, or just move along. I don't understand why some people are insulted or angry that other people are into after market cables.. I know some of the prices are stupid. But there are inexpensive and DIY options, so just slamming all cables because some are outrageously priced shows a lack of subtlety in thinking. 
Out of curiosity, what types of cabling have you tried? 
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
I think what Randy and I and other realists are saying is that once some very basic and inexpensive length/guage requirements are met, nothing is to be gained by spending sometimes insane amounts on aftermarket cabling...wasting money on them is ludicrous. If better performing power cables were really necessary, audio component manufacturers would surely provide better cables with their equipment. To not do so would make no sense. I don’t know how many different ways there are to say this..."exotic" cables are designed, marketed and sold to fix problems that do not exist.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
well put

buy better speakers, room tmts, add on a new room... better source material, better DAC, isolate your turntable, etc. etc.

all are proven with listening tests ( the real kind, not not some guy eyeballing a phat cable while listening) AND are supported by known mechanisms affecting SQ

contrawise, there is no known mechanism by which an aftermarket power cable will affect SQ,, high-end manfs. eschew them and there are zero blinded listening tests showing a difference

not having an expectation does not create a valid listening test
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