brulee fails PC challenge

I've noticed the same situation with the FIM, especially after the copper skinning effect (break in ) is nearly complete. Let's face it, with many of the serious power cords, there is a whole lot of copper in each run. The FIM Gold is very thick and not too flexible. Once it is disturbed, it will take time. I once thought that I'd make my own Ultimate speaker cables (with 15 wire runs each pos. and neg.) of Nippon 99.9999% wire at $5.00/foot. The Nippon was the worse wire I'd ever encountered in regard to being fussy once slightly moved. It would take a week before it would settle down. By the way, anyone want to buy a pair of 7 foot DIY speaker cables? What a waste of nearly $2K! I'll stick with the FIM Gold there too.

Leafs- I think you might have missed the point. Brulee didn't say the Belden was as good as the FIM. Actually, he stated that the FIM, once allowed to perform in place for some period of time approaching 24 hours, sounded clearly superior to the Belden. What wasn't clear was whether he allowed the Belden a day to settle in for an evaluation as well. What is obvious is that simply swapping out cords for a song or two isn't a reliable test, as many have discovered.
Dekay- We were before I posted, but now ....? Just kidding Brulee!

I have had identical experience with my PCs taking time to "settle in": discernibly between 15"-60" (for my ears; I'm assuming I get used to the sound by then and miss subtle changes, if any, after that time). I'm *guessing* the settling-in time depends on how long a cable has been disconnected in that particular instance and, what part of its useful life has the cable been conducting electricity in general.

For that matter, I've also noticed that certain "tweaks" applied to my cdp or pre take some minutes to "settle in", if you will. I don't think this is due to my familiarising with the sound: after each tweak I usually leave the room for a few mins.

BTW, "Belden" is not necessarily "terrible". They include hi-quality industrial norm (SSTP & others) cables in their product line; these can have twisted conductors foiled per pair, and multiple shielding. They could very well be better performers than the non-exotic name suggests. (OK, such cables rarely sport expensive ptfe tubing, and teflon (or other) outer braiding & mesh we find in the more expensive hi-end offerings.)

Such products are also quite expensive!

I tried German, silver-plated copper multi-strand power cords, conductors foiled and shielded -- that performed quite well. The wholesale price was $~12/m -- that's if you buy in km; if not, it goes up to $~34/m, unterminated ofcourse.

Has anyone else tried top quality industrial norm cable as PC?

I understand the point.His being truthfull is the point I am making.

We absolutely need an ABX comparator. This is the only way to tell whats really going on.