Why Power Cables Affect Sound

So here I am questioning how in the hell a cable that isn’t even in the signal chain improves the sound

Says who? That’s cherry picking. Remove the power cord and nothing happens. Rectification done after receiving power from said power cord is rarely done correctly (look at all the different ways it’s done: there are those who will always find fault in anyone's design) and fully so it’s going to mess with signal. Rectifiers impart tone. It’s not pure and perfect after the power cord delivers the power. Never is and never will be.

All the best,
Nonoise

@mkgus: "Just so we’re on the same page, just because there is no plausible explanation doesn’t mean the effect doesn’t exist."

I agree completely.

But lack of a plausible explanation remains a valid reason for questioning the effect. Especially since among observers there is no consensus. So the sky analogy would be more appropriate if you included than some people found it to be a different shade of blue that many if not most people could not see. In that regard lack of plausible explanation takes on more power as a defeater. Not proof, as you say, but still reasonable evidence.

The paradox is that at some level we are talking about a technical phenomenon with no good technical explanation. That is yet another reason to question the effect.

The paradox is that at some level we are talking about a technical phenomenon with no good technical explanation. That is yet another reason to question the effect.

Indeed, it is a reason to question the phenomenon. It is also a reason to keep investigating if you believe something is going on as many believe to be the case.

I’m surprised this is still a big question mark? Why hasn’t this been solved yet? I keep getting drawn back to the 3 basic properties of wires: resistance, inductance and capacitance. Can these three alone not explain the effect fully? I’m guessing not because if it were that simple, then surely someone would have shown it to be the case already - perhaps a cable manufacturer. This would be a very simple test one could do at home with some test equipment: relate R, L and C to the “sound” of power cables.

Assuming the phenomenon can’t be fully explained by the values of resistance, inductance and capacitance, I’m left to wonder if we are measuring the right properties. Are there other properties that need measurement? Do any of the R, L and C values change dynamically along with electron flow or are they fixed at all times?

N80, I am done with prof and analogluvr, as they are no longer worth my time. I indicated that I did not like the cables in your system, because somewhere, I remember reading you mentioning the brand " Transparent ", I do not like the sound of that brand’s cables ( speaker, interconnect and power cables ). If I spoke out of line about that, I apologize. If in fact, you have after market cables ( heavier and beefier than just the computer cables I mentioned you might have lying around, I still feel it would be worth it to exchange them out, and, not for me, or anyone else. Just to see if you can hear a difference. You do not need to dissect it further as to which you prefer, just that a difference might be audible to you, or not. My biggest gripe with " those folks " who are against these differences are ( 1 ) If they never tried a different cable or ( 2 ) They tried a different cable and did not hear a difference, and then claim that these differences do not exist. I also do not believe that it is impossible for some people to believe I am an expert in this field ( the listening side ), and have such a hard time with it. My ears are likely no better than others, but my time and experience in the field has allowed me to train myself to hear very minute differences amongst all related items in audio. Keep in mind, also, that there are quite a few of me out there, as I know others. Some right here on the ’Gon. * A good friend of mine is a retired sheriff, has a huge gun collection, and teaches at a shooting range. I consider him an expert in the field of hand guns. I am clueless about guns. I have another buddy who is into automobiles ( such as yourself). He builds, and rebuilds, and rebuilds. I consider him an expert in his particular field of automobiles. He can do a mod on a suspension, or an engine, take me for a ride, and ask me if I feel a difference. Never have. Just putting this out there. I have no interest in guns; I have no interest in vehicles ( I drive a 2018 CRV Touring ). These two buddies come to me as their audio guru ( many do ). And they both spend much more money on audio than I do. I do not like making enemies, and I am pretty much an easy going guy. But, I do know what is real, " to my ears ", and anyone who says I am imagining it, well, we will go our separate ways and be done with it. As I have said to you before, in the 6 months you have been here, you have had much to say, that I find enjoyable to read. After all, it is all about the music. Never hard feelings, especially when in this hobby, and enjoyable pastime. Enjoy ! MrD.