How can power cords make a difference?

702- Sorry about not reponding more quickly. I was too busy deluding myself with irrelevant audio tweaks to check back with this thread. Your conclusion that I know nothing about the people in question is absolutely wrong. I don't claim to know everything, but I do know some things from the responses given in this thread and others. It is based on those comments that I used the term "losers" and limited its' context to music.

Let me add another boastful statement. There does not exist a true hi-end system that can't be improved sonically through the use of exceptional, aftermarket power cords selected by the "ludicrous and erroneous practice of personal auditioning".

As for JHunter- The fear of discovering that the Emperor has no clothes is clearly indicated by those who consistantly refuse to audition and experience for themselves the positive effects of the best pcs. At least the child who proclaimed the Emperor nude, was present at the time to observe the Emperor. Those on this thread who refuse to take part in or expend the slightist effort necessary to expand their personal experience concerning this subject, don't even have the validity of the aforementioned child who at least PERSONALLY WITNESSED the procession.

You wish that others go out of their way to accommodate YOU concerning an issue that YOU won't even bother to place a few phone calls and obtain power cords so that YOU can listen to them yourself. Just how sincere, or should I write closeminded or lazy, is that! Brulee has already offered you the opportunity to experience the difference in his home. All that is required of you is to just arrange a time and show up. If you won't take the time, effort, and shipping money to discover for yourself through dealers that allow auditioning, at least put forth the time to take Brulee up on his offer. Stop complaining that more people aren't willing to put themselves out for what will amount to simply your benefit. (I write this, because the others will not change their experience-less based opinions even if you do). I do hope that you are honestly sincere about participating ( I will gladly offer the first glass of wine or beer during dinner in reconciliation for my diatribe ), but the burden is now solely on you.
As always, just my .02

Sorry Fpeel for adding you too. I must be loosing my sense of humor (even as sick as it is) Thanks Dekay for pointing that out, I didn't like the idea of another! J.D.

Albert -

Your test description was certainly picturesque! ;-)

I'm sure that you already know, however, that a blind test only means that the identity of the object under test remains unknown. That's ALL that I'm looking for, and still honestly, honestly don't understand why people are reluctant to evaluate components in this fashion. I have no desire or intent to diminish anyone's listening enjoyment, and think that even a cursory reading of my postings here would show that.

Also, why do you feel that I don't think that audio "tools" are important? Ignoring your comment regarding my hearing abilities (unwarrented and unfair, please!), I feel that there are a great many things that can be done to change the sound of a system. Room acoustics and speakers clearly have a huge impact, front end (especially analog) and amps may have an impact as well although much smaller IMO. Speaker cables and interconnects should not have any effect in most cases and PCs bring up the rear (confirmed to me, at least, when I've listened blind; I've heard all sorts of things during sighted evaluations).

I'd be sincerely happy to join you for a listening test, and as an amateur classical musician would be eager to meet someone at the Grammy-level. It'd be fun regardless of the outcome. I'll let you know the next time I come out to Dallas (it's been 1-2x/year typically, but hard to know with a new job) and let's see if we can set something up.

JHunter

Jcbtubes -

Have you bothered to read the PC challenge? Judging from your post, clearly not, yet for some reason feel the need to expound upon it - and upon me personally ("closeminded and lazy", you said). Your comments are insulting and ludicrous. Let's check the facts - while you might not care, others are perhaps interested:

"You wish that others go out of their way to accommodate YOU". The ONLY restriction I placed was for the test to be local; I've a family (and a life) and was unwilling to jump on a plane and spend a couple of days traveling. Since I live in the 5th largest metropolitan area in the United States, that limits it to a population of roughly 7 million people. Sorry if you consider that unreasonable.

". . . at least put forth the time to take Brulee up on his offer". If you'd even skimmed through the PC Challenge thread you'd know that Bruce, others and I have discussed this . You would also know that we are planning on getting together at a time when it's mutually convenient. I'll be down in LA pretty frequently, although June doesn't work out well for Bruce. Sorry if our getting together in a month or two isn't fast enough for you. You wouldn't know that Bruce and I have discussed my trying some of his PCs. The first wouldn't work, as my rack doesn't allow inflexible cords to be easily inserted but he's looking for another. That I'll try.

"Stop complaining that more people aren't willing to put themselves out . . .". In my post I said that the lack of participation was most likely due to geographic constraints - an acknowledgement, not a complaint.

". . .for what will amount to simply your benefit". Let's see - I'm willing to put up $500 with ABSOLUTELY NO POSSIBILITY of any financial gain, as you'd know if you'd read the challenge. How can you possibly feel that's to my benefit, simply or otherwise?

JHunter

To ALL- I regret that I can sometimes take things too seriously. This is supposed to be fun.
To JHunter- I do apologize for my diatribe. I recented communicated with Brulee and discovered that in fact you have been discussing the listening issue further. Though I did attempt (twice, actually) earlier to add a response stating this, the Audiogon server wouldn't accept my follow-up till now.

May I add, as has been detailed in other responses, that A/B testing of audio equipment is not a trivial task. Power cycling of equipment and equipment (cable) movement can take a considerable amount of time to restabilize. This can severely limit the number of swaps possible in a week, let alone a day. Also, conclusions based on other's perceptions really aren't as valid as those based on your own experience.

To this end, I'm willing to offer a Shunyata King Cobra (moderately flexible but thick and heavy) for audition (with some reasonable form of deposit) for a week in your system. (I'd offer a FIM, but it seems Brulee has already offered one). Though your system is unknown to me, I will assume that it is a true attempt at hi-end aspirations. My opinion is that you will easily differentiate between a stock cord and the Shunyata. (FYI: the King Cobra will have to be installed and not moved for a couple of days before it will perform at it's best. It's internal construction requires settling of the proprietary "dust" used for emi/rfi absorption. Also, I'd recommend that you place it on your front-end equipment first.)

If I may, I do find that knowledge through personal experience is usually worth much more than money. This is what I was refering to as "for your benefit". For someone to offer to set aside their time (and Brulee has, I seem to recall, refused any monetary compensation) to help enlighten you, certainly fits my definition of "for your benefit".

I allowed my cynicism to get the better of me. I must assume that you are sincere about listening to power cords yourself with some semblance of an open mind, regardless of some of the comments that you've previously submitted. However, it does seem perplexing that you haven't commented about attempts to contact any dealers concerning pc auditioning. I'm sure that I and others on this thread can help direct you to several so that you can participate in this endeavor yourself. Please contact me if you are interested in auditioning the Shunyata pc.

Jcbtubes