2. cables
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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
chocaholic
211 posts
 

As a life long skeptic…manufacturers carefully select components and wiring to optimize the performance of their devices…and advertise as such. Considering the margins involved and just how competitive their markets are, if they felt their device would perform appreciably better vs the competition with a certain power cord rather than the generic one they include, than they would include it and bake it into the price. 
 

The high end is not about pinching pennies. Whether an amp is $22k or $23.5k would make little difference in sales volume if the $23.5k version clearly outperformed their competitors thanks to be paired with the perfect power cord. So, it would be my contention that if the power cord made the device sound better, it would be in the box. Just my opinion, of course. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
creditingkarma
102 posts
 

Classe provides a pretty good cable from DR Acoustics with the delta amplifiers

bluorion
479 posts
 

Agree with @curiousjim about PS Audio. They recommend AudioQuest but they also offer their own regenerators, power cords and power conditioners. Luxman, like the others mentioned, has their own interconnects as well.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Go ask Nelson Pass. We can hold a seance and ask the spirit of Sidney Smith (designed the classic Marantz tube gear of the Fifties) what he thinks about power cords. Ditto for Stewart Hegeman (designer of the classic HK Citation tube gear). I am sure these esteemed gentlemen would be appalled at the state of boutique wire today! To them a kettle cord was all that was required for their products! I would agree with them! After all, the power supply is where it all starts - not with the wire to the AC outlet!

jl35
4,033 posts
 

Though Pass Labs regularly uses Silent Source cables and cords (fairly expensive) for their audio show demo rooms....(they do include a nice quality generic cord with their equipment)...

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