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

It feels like we are gathering momentum here! Thanks for all the contributions. Here is a summary of what has been shared so far, just so future readers don't have to pick through the entire thread. I will do this periodically as a service. I hope you feel as I do that manufacturers who are affirmatively addressing this issue deserve your attention.

Audio manufacturers who include or recommend high end cables with their equipment

Burmester
Audio Note
PS Audio. They recommend AudioQuest but they also offer their own regenerators, power cords
Krell
Schiit
Musical Fidelity
Merrill Audio
Naim
Classe provides a pretty good cable from DR Acoustics with the delta amplifiers
Luxman, like the others mentioned, has their own interconnects as well.
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).
AGD supplies high quality power cords with their amps. Don't know about their other products.
Rogers High Fidelity in North Adams, MA offers a house made high quality power cord for their amps.

PS Audio recommends specific Audioquest cables and cords for their various products. But PS does not design manufacture and sell their own aftermarket cables and cords. They have not for many years now

@chocaholic  and @jasonbourne52 You both raise good points that make me think we should also include manufacturers on this list who affirmatively state that there will be no significant improvement in the performance of their product with anything beyond the stock power cord or interconnects they supply.

Schiit says you can buy an expensive pc for there preamp but it wont make a difference. They shouldn't make statements as such. Do you think they have actually tried to compare there gear using different pc's. 

Schitt knows a majority of Schiit owners buy for cost first and many also believe in the "snake oil" mantra.