Why not?


I have always wondered why if better cables produce better sound, as appears to be the consensus, I am not aware of any manufacturer that provides an aftermarket quality power cable with their product. If I am wrong please tell me. There may be instances I am not familiar with.

Wouldn't they be in the best position to test or design the optimum cable for their component? Wouldn't it be a great marketing angle to say to the customer does not need to worry or fret about selecting this expensive accessory.

"We know these cables show off our component to best effect and there is not question of listener bias or self interested market hype. We offer you the best cable to use with our components." 

They could make it optional if they wanted to remain price competitive. This same thinking applies to interconnects, especially with manufacturers who make multiple interconnected components. I pose these questions in all sincerity, not particularly wishing to stir the cable controversy pot. But because it is precisely the absence of this practice that most makes me doubt the objective superiority of the whole cable enterprise.

Mostly I would like to know if I am wrong and there are some examples of manufacturers who either include, offer or recommend specific power, interconnect and speaker cable for their products. Thanks community members for offering a place to ask this question that keeps gnawing at me.

Ag insider logo xs@2xbruce19

@bruce19 

Well, now you're starting in on a whole different subject, and what you're saying here is not wholly true either. Many manufacturers go into considerable detail about the construction of their power cords, and their reasons for making them the way they do. Whether we choose to believe what they say, or whether those techniques and materials actually make a difference is for the end user to decide.

Again, this is a different subject than asking why component manufacturers don't include fancy power cords of their own manufacture.

 

@roxy54  I know. You are correct, some provide more than others but as was said in another thread it is the wild west. I don't even have language to intelligently discuss cables because there seems to be no agreed upon language to describe what matters and what not. I am agnostic about cables. I buy them but I can't say with certainty what any individual cable has added or detracted from my systems. I have thought I have heard improvements but then on another day I may feel otherwise. The reason is it takes a long time to switch a cable and the changes, if any are subtle. Can't speak for others but my aural memory is just not that strong. I can hear differences in components but cables generally elude me. I bet I am not the only one who could say this if we were honest. This is further aggravated by my own tendency for confirmation bias. When something costs a lot that knowledge affects me, sometimes in favor of the item and sometimes against it. Have not figured out how to do blind testing on myself.

I have learned a lot about hi-fi in the past 5 years since I retired and am pretty satisfied I have at least a fair notion of what is going on in most areas, bought a lot of stuff, built some amps, built some speakers, etc. but cables are like trying to study alchemy.

And I bet I am not alone.

What's this "consensus" I keep reading about? Maybe here, but there are many, many other people who know that power cables produce no difference in the sound of your audio system. 

Why? Also, in the OP’s way of thinking, why stop at power cords? How about the interconnects, speaker, usb, Ethernet, and any other type of cable that might be connected to this device? Now you see the problem. Any of these cables can have a small to large impact on the sq of the system, so let the buyer decide with their own ears what sounds best 

What's this "consensus" I keep reading about? Maybe here, but there are many, many other people who know think that power cables produce no difference in the sound of your audio system. 

There, I fixed that for you.

All the best,
Nonoise