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

So we had a few additions and corrections, here is the current summary of this thread, thanks to all contributors:

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 Hall
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.
Raven Audio includes their well made power cords with their amps.
Schiit says you can buy an expensive pc for there preamp but it wont make a difference.
Pearl Acoustics makes Sibelius cables specifically for their well regarded Sibelius SG and CG speakers.
Spectral Audio twists your arm for one speaker cable brand
AQUA includes a decent power cable with Hubbell style terminations.
Ampzilla amps come with a custom power cord that the manufacturer thinks is the perfect match. It's hardwired into the amplifier.
AGD is another company that includes a very nice high quality PC with each of its products.

@lalitk Wrote:

That’s one way to end the debate on fancy aftermarket power cords. Let’s bring back electronics with captive power cords 🤣

I agree. Another way is to eliminate the power cord and wall plug. I run my amp directly to the dedicated branch circuit, sounds better in my opinion, then running it with a power cord. 😎

Mike

I had a feeling that you would misconstrued my response.

I hate to make assumptions but you seem to lobby for guys who are,

1) Too lazy to take the time to compare power cords,

2) Too cheap to pony up money for a decent power cord

If you are serious about seeking help with cable selection, just list your system & budget, Agon community will be more than happy to provide guidance.

I hate to make assumptions too, so I don't @lalitk , but I will say you seem to have a talent for being abrasive even when you say you don't mean to. Being lazy or cheap are not the only reasons someone might be dismayed at the state of the cable market.  Allow me to explain how I see it with a story.

Suppose your doctor tells you you need a pacemaker. Once you've accepted that fact she asks if you want the standard connecting cable or the premium one. She says, "I'm obliged to tell you that there is no measurable difference between the two  and no data one is better than the other and the premium one costs 100 times what the standard one does. By the way it's not covered by insurance but a lot of people like to get the premium one."

Would you feel that is an acceptable state of affairs? I would not, but I bet many if not most people and maybe me too would end up buying the premium cable. That's how I feel about the hifi cable business these days. So I'm seeking ways to try and change that.

As far as the personal advice on my system I think you and I both no how that goes. A bunch of recommendations with very little agreement which descends into a food fight.

This thread has however stimulated some thoughts on my part and I think I will be back with a proposal about a possible way to harness some of the massive experience here to try to bring a tiny bit of light to the subject. Stay tuned.