For anyone casually stumbling onto this particular thread such as I did the other day, or the OP following up on his long-ago request for advice, it must be very interesting to note that "sides" or "camps" have been formed and that the members of one "camp" engage in one type of argument while the other side has chosen a different approach.
Those of us who claim that there is no scientific merit to manufacturer statements that - across the board - a "high end" or "higher quality beyond AWG and shielding" power AC cable will make an audible, discernible difference, nay, IMPROVEMENT in the sound of every high-end system of a certain caliber are attempting to focus on real-world physics, engineering, or solutions that even involve some form of teaming up with the other "side" to prove once and for all who’s right and who’s wrong. That kind of solution requires some kind of capital outlay by either a manufacturer or participants in a side-wager to the type of study that would be required to end this debate, but why not brainstorm about it here without getting personal or misrepresenting what the other "side" says?
On the Mfg. side, I offer up an example such as Shunyata’s (comments disabled) video whereby they purport to present a demonstration of their superior power cable by using a peak current meter on an AC outlet and then on their cable, followed by an inferior cable (in AWG (conductor thickness) as well as construction) which has nothing whatsoever to say about or do with the way an AC/DC power supply works in an average user’s home nor does it address the fact that MOST if not ALL home audio equipment will never need to draw the peak amperage that they demonstrate. That’s just one example. There are many others.
When links are posted to previous studies or comparos, those are denigrated as "14 years old" (as though power cable technology has changed? If so, please note how) or that the person making the post wasn’t a direct participant in the test, which is why the new test is being proposed in the first place. So, until then: https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/feature-article-blind-test-power-cords-12-2004.html remains the standard.
Meanwhile, those who claim that an expensive AC mains cable will discernibly or even DRASTICALLY IMPROVE the sound of most hi-fi audio systems have abandoned any attempt to argue the merits or scientific side of their case, instead resorting to personal attacks, changing the subject, making accusations about the alleged behavior of the other side and muddying the entire discourse by focusing on only one aspect of a post and intentionally, repeatedly misinterpreting it.
And if you’re just interested in reading about the history of this type of debate without having to learn about the imaginary business fortunes of individual netizens who claim to be able to throw away $25,000 *because* they were/are a successful businessperson, here you go:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/testing-audiophile-claims-and-myths.486598/
There are plenty more out there, and the vast, overwhelming consensus, is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on cables (and not much AT ALL on power cables or digital interconnects), nor will you hear any actual, non-placebo effect improvements if you do, but feel free to spend your money however you want. And to be perfectly clear, on speaker cables and other interconnects in the signal path, spending more money DOES improve the sound - but only to a point well below $75/ft.
Those of us who claim that there is no scientific merit to manufacturer statements that - across the board - a "high end" or "higher quality beyond AWG and shielding" power AC cable will make an audible, discernible difference, nay, IMPROVEMENT in the sound of every high-end system of a certain caliber are attempting to focus on real-world physics, engineering, or solutions that even involve some form of teaming up with the other "side" to prove once and for all who’s right and who’s wrong. That kind of solution requires some kind of capital outlay by either a manufacturer or participants in a side-wager to the type of study that would be required to end this debate, but why not brainstorm about it here without getting personal or misrepresenting what the other "side" says?
On the Mfg. side, I offer up an example such as Shunyata’s (comments disabled) video whereby they purport to present a demonstration of their superior power cable by using a peak current meter on an AC outlet and then on their cable, followed by an inferior cable (in AWG (conductor thickness) as well as construction) which has nothing whatsoever to say about or do with the way an AC/DC power supply works in an average user’s home nor does it address the fact that MOST if not ALL home audio equipment will never need to draw the peak amperage that they demonstrate. That’s just one example. There are many others.
When links are posted to previous studies or comparos, those are denigrated as "14 years old" (as though power cable technology has changed? If so, please note how) or that the person making the post wasn’t a direct participant in the test, which is why the new test is being proposed in the first place. So, until then: https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/feature-article-blind-test-power-cords-12-2004.html remains the standard.
Meanwhile, those who claim that an expensive AC mains cable will discernibly or even DRASTICALLY IMPROVE the sound of most hi-fi audio systems have abandoned any attempt to argue the merits or scientific side of their case, instead resorting to personal attacks, changing the subject, making accusations about the alleged behavior of the other side and muddying the entire discourse by focusing on only one aspect of a post and intentionally, repeatedly misinterpreting it.
And if you’re just interested in reading about the history of this type of debate without having to learn about the imaginary business fortunes of individual netizens who claim to be able to throw away $25,000 *because* they were/are a successful businessperson, here you go:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/testing-audiophile-claims-and-myths.486598/
There are plenty more out there, and the vast, overwhelming consensus, is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on cables (and not much AT ALL on power cables or digital interconnects), nor will you hear any actual, non-placebo effect improvements if you do, but feel free to spend your money however you want. And to be perfectly clear, on speaker cables and other interconnects in the signal path, spending more money DOES improve the sound - but only to a point well below $75/ft.