2. cables
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Is there a facility that test cables?

In my business as a paint contractor I had a guy working for me who claimed he had worked for a while making high end power cords for audio. I wasn't expecting much but I figured some halfway decent DYI power cords wouId be better than the stock cords I had. 

When he finished them and presented them to me they seemed they were a lot more hefty than I expected. I asked exactly what I was getting for my money, a bit substantial, and he referred me to an ad for AudioQuest NRG Dragon. He claimed he couldn't relate to me any of the materials or build because of a NDA he signed when he left who he was working for. 

We parted ways and it was not amicably. He made me question my decision in buying them after he left my employ on whether I actually got what I was paying for. I'm not sure if they are a source cord or high current cord and I am not sure if they measure what a well made cord should. Is there any mfg or other entity where I could get them tested? If they match up then I got a great deal as I have three 3' and one 5' power cord. Any help appreciated!

dadork
audiosaurusrex's avatar
audiosaurusrex
320 posts
 

Maybe Amir at AudioScience Review. Not sure he’ll test homemade cables though

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 

Shielded is generally more constrained. Is that what you want? If you were looking for "worth it" you should have borrowed/auditioned a bunch from The Cable Co.
Try a Raven Soniquil free for 45 days.  That should help you peg worth.

ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 

Unfortunately it would probably require comparisons of say three major high end brands at different levels to properly position them. The largest selling brands are Audio Quest, Transparent, and Wire World. So, if you got a pair of each at the same cost level as yours, then you could do the comparison. Although, the problem is, that it is component dependent. But this would be a start. 
 

No, a lab thing would be of no use.

chayro
2,984 posts
 

Contact audioholics. I believe the owner offers consulting and testing, but it’s not free, as I’m sure you would expect. At lest discuss it with them and see if it’s possible to test for what you are looking for. 

tablejockey
3,890 posts
 

You would likely be disappointed if you found out the actual material cost of those "magic cables." What are "tests" going to prove?

Do yourself a favor and just use them. Convince yourself they're an improvement to your system more than the previous.

Power cable as a means of "improving" your system...that's an ugly thread topic.

Fuses and shiny, anodized,quantum kniffle generators anyone?

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