I wonder why......


If power cables offer such dramatic improvements (not saying they do or don't), why don't component manufacturers supply them as part of a component sale? All high end components come with power cords that can be disconnected. The cost of a mid level aftermarket replacement cord is only a fraction of what the typical high end component costs so if sound is improved so much, why wouldn't a manufacturer want to "improve" the sound of their components by providing an upgraded cord at the point of sale? 

High end automobiles (Porsche, Ferrari, AMG, etc.) are typically supplied with the best tires available on the market. Often these are specifically designed by tire makers to the auto maker's specs. This is to extract every ounce of performance from their product. If high car makers did what audio manufacturers did, they would be supplying their cars with average, run of the mill tires expecting the buyer to upgrade on his own. Wouldn't audio component makers want to extract the best performance from their gear?

The only thing I can think of is that audio component manufacturers don't think so called upgraded power cables are worth the added cost.

What am I missing?

J.Chiappinelli
128x128jchiappinelli
Good question OP.  Especially because when I go to demos by factory reps or to audio shows, they almost never use stock power cables.  Would be nice to hear from a manufacturer on this thread.

One thought. The performance of power cables (and pretty much all other cables) depends on the environment in which they are used.  What are they connecting and how many other kinds of gear and cable types will be in proximity behind your system and in what configurations?  My feeling is that the full magic of better cables is revealed in your system by how well they keep signals and potential interference separated. While a manufacturer could maximize performance of a power cable for their amp or other gear on the test bench, they have now idea what specific environment that cable will experience in various users homes.  Better to let the customer figure out what works best supplying current to their gear in their room next to their ICs, speaker and digital cables and other power supplies and circuits.  I have 9 separate pieces of electronics in my rack with 8 power cables, 2 DC cables, 5 speaker cable sets, 3 IC sets and three digital cables.  Both my DAC and phono preamp have separate custom power supplies.  How could a manufacturer anticipate and maximize the design of their power cable to function in this environment, your environment, or someone else’s system?

As somebody who has tried a lot of power cables and built a few from component parts, for me it is all about synergy in my set up.  Generally, the more better cables I have added, the better things sound, but it takes a lot of tweaking and trial and error to get remarkable results. Not sure an original equipment manufacturer could prejudge what would work best in everyone’s system, so probably just prudent for them to supply something inexpensive that makes sound come out and doesn’t catch fire.

kn
I submit one of the best tweeks is a glass of single malt

Ok, so I have changed my trial policy. However, I will disclose my BAC with the testing results.