2. cables
  3. 1071276890

Power Cords Snake Oil ??

Having been a long time audiophile living with countless high end compnents I have to wonder about the theory and practicality of high end power cords.

I have yet to hear the difference a power cord makes. Ive owned, synergistic, Shunyata, BMI and cardas. I in no way can detect any sonic signature or change. Give me a pair of interconnects and I imeadiately notice a difference somewhere in the sonic spectrum. Not the PC though. I have accomplished 4 blind tests with my friends. 3 out of the 4 they did not know their cord was replaced. All 4 were using a stock factory supplied cord. Each of the 4 tests were done on different components. Amp, CDP, Preamp & dac.

My electrical backround tells me that provided you supply the component with its required voltage bet 110vac or 220/240vac its happy. Now, change the incoming frequency from 60hz to say 53hz and watch how quickly your soundstage collapses.! This is often the case during the summer months when home air conditioners are in use and the utility company power output is taxed to the max. A really good power conditioner should however take care of the frequency fluctuations. But 110vac is still 110vac regardless of the conductor it passes through as long as its remains 110vac when it reaches the intended circuit. Does your 8k amp or preamp know the difference of the path the voltage took to reach it ? Many an audiophile will use a dedicated 20amp circut for their equipment.That is a good idea as voltage & frequency fluctuations will occur in the home circuit to to other loads on the main breaker panel but again, A power cord simply is the means of transporting the voltage from the wall to the component. IF there is a clean 110vac @ 60hz at the wall socket, no matter what the medium is to go from the socket to the component, it will still be 110vac @60hz.

Could somebody expand on this a bit more. I just dont understand it. ??
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
ostensible_constituency
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.

>>>>>There it is! When the pseudo skeptic’s back is up against the wall he lashes out out with the usual attacks. It’s the other side that’s abandoned rational debate and science, resorting to personal attacks, changing the subject, making baseless accusations, muddying the entire discourse, and misinterpreting the pseudo skeptic’s argument. There is no acknowledgment of or rebuttal of the counter arguments. Just a lotta who shot John. There is no test anyone can devise that can prove cables or power cords all sound about the same. 

ostensible_constituency's avatar
ostensible_constituency
76 posts
 
There it is! When the pseudo skeptic’s back is up against the wall he lashes out out with the usual attacks. It’s the other side that’s abandoned rational debate and science, resorting to personal attacks, changing the subject, making baseless accusations, muddying the entire discourse, and misinterpreting the pseudo skeptic’s argument. There is no acknowledgment of or rebuttal of the counter arguments. Just a lotta who shot John.

You’ve gone all Pee Wee Herman on us, Geoff. "I know you are but what am I" or "I’m rubber you’re glue" are not valid or particularly constructive arguments.

If, on the other hand, you’re agreeing with me that proponents of expensive tweaks and AC power cables are indeed engaging in all kinds of ad hominem because they cannot articulate or elucidate any measurable or repeatable improvements, and your most recent post was just a clever parody of this behavior, let’s start reporting these "psuedo-______" people to the mods! They’re disruptive!

If I’m wrong on both counts, please enlighten me and point me to the scientific experiments that I am not acknowledging, whereby AC mains cables have been shown to make an audible difference in a controlled environment or with full transparency to the listener as to what was being changed?  

I've been commenting in good faith here up to and including the links I've posted that point to actual tests which have been conducted. If you're here in good faith, please point me to the objective tests which prove the opposite and we can agree to disagree or I will admit that I'm wrong. 

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I added this sentence to my previous post just after Mr. Itchy Trigger Finger posted.

There is no test anyone can devise that can prove cables or power cords all sound about the same.

ostensible_constituency's avatar
ostensible_constituency
76 posts
 
After the king of projection wrote:
" I added this sentence to my previous post just after Mr. Itchy Trigger Finger posted."

I made an edit to my post. Sue me.

Pot calling kettle black may be a better term for what you’re engaging in here. This ring any bells? https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/do-cables-really-matter/post?postid=1593624#1593624

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Hey, what happened to the OP? Is he a...... troll? 🤡 Oops a Daisy, that was 15 years ago. Let’s hope he found salvation with a new Audioquest Hurricane, you know, the one everyone is ranting and raving about, that’s controlled for directionality.
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