Do power cables make a difference?

delkal · April 2018

mantis wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

It doesn't make any logical sense in my mind in regards to how a power cable could make this much of an improvement in stereo imaging. But wow. Crazy.

They don't make huge differences unless the factory cord is poorly constructed and picking up interference. This is where aftermarket power chords make bigger differences. EMI and RF interference sucks and can ruin your sound quality. Your amp could care less where the signal is coming from. if it comes in then it's in.

I would assume power cables would help amps with undersized transformers and power caps more than a properly built amp. A lot of companies (even high end) are skimping on their power supplies.

mantis · April 2018

Thats not a bad assumption, it makes sense.

F1nut · April 2018

mantis wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

It doesn't make any logical sense in my mind in regards to how a power cable could make this much of an improvement in stereo imaging. But wow. Crazy.

They don't make huge differences unless the factory cord is poorly constructed and picking up interference. This is where aftermarket power chords make bigger differences. EMI and RF interference sucks and can ruin your sound quality. Your amp could care less where the signal is coming from. if it comes in then it's in.

Of course, the amp cares about the electricity coming in. Your comments on the subject matter indicate a lack of understanding.

Clipdat · April 2018

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by "substantiated" in this context, or if you were referring to my experience in particular.

After using my Marantz CDP (with the stock cord) for the past 5 years I was very familiar with its sound. It only took me listening to 2 tracks on a CD to hear the improvement in stereo imaging with the aftermarket cable.

K_M wrote: »

I have read many internet claims of positive results with better cords.
On the other hand.....
None of the claims are ever substantiated.

afterburnt · April 2018

Whip it baby!

K_M · April 2018

Clipdat wrote: »

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by "substantiated" in this context, or if you were referring to my experience in particular.

After using my Marantz CDP (with the stock cord) for the past 5 years I was very familiar with its sound. It only took me listening to 2 tracks on a CD to hear the improvement in stereo imaging with the aftermarket cable.

K_M wrote: »

I have read many internet claims of positive results with better cords.
On the other hand.....
None of the claims are ever substantiated.

I was not referring to any particular comment.
Just pointing out that the debate of all types of cables has been going on for years, and it is mostly a very pointless debate, arguing over unfounded claims.

Somewhat similar to me claiming "I saw a unicorn yesterday"......if you want an analogy.
But with me providing no proof, only my anecdote.

First thing I would get, would be "Prove it", "Need a pic!" Etc etc, right?

MrBuhl · April 2018

I think you're just being argumentative. Unicorns and actual experience are two different things. But whatevs. I know what I hear, and that's good enough for me.

F1nut · April 2018

Somewhat similar to me claiming "I saw a unicorn yesterday"......if you want an analogy.
But with me providing no proof, only my anecdote.

In your case, I'd believe you really did. No proof necessary.

pitdogg2 · April 2018

F1nut wrote: »

Somewhat similar to me claiming "I saw a unicorn yesterday"......if you want an analogy.
But with me providing no proof, only my anecdote.

In your case, I'd believe you really did. No proof necessary.

you owe me a new keyboard....
what a mess

K_M · April 2018

MrBuhl wrote: »

I think you're just being argumentative. Unicorns and actual experience are two different things. But whatevs. I know what I hear, and that's good enough for me.

No, simply saying, pointless to argue it.
It is people posting an "Experience", or a supposed account of an experience.
That part is fine....
Debating the issue, is pointless, as nothing is verified or proven.

"I hit a deer with my car yesterday!"
Did it truly happen??
I'm saying meaningless to give much veracity to a simple "Claim" made online, with nothing more than the claim as verification. Get it?

mhardy6647 · April 2018

The thing about cables (as opposed to unicorns, e.g.) is that the cables do exist in the corporeal world. One may try them and assess them at face value -- independent of any rap or peer pressure -- and judge for oneself.

I've long opined that reading about hifi is akin to reading about sex -- there is some entertainment value, but one cannot beat empiricism.

MrBuhl · April 2018

I would point out again, if it's pointless to argue, why are you arguing? People hear what they hear - I don't understand trying to convince them otherwise.

pitdogg2 · April 2018

mhardy6647 wrote: »

.
I've long opined that reading about hifi is akin to reading about sex -- there is some entertainment value, but one cannot beat empiricism.

OMG Doc that is signature material right there.

you're on a roll brah

K_M · April 2018

MrBuhl wrote: »

I would point out again, if it's pointless to argue, why are you arguing? People hear what they hear - I don't understand trying to convince them otherwise.

My point, I will make it quite simple for you........
All cable debates are pointless. People are simply arguing over anecdotal accounts, rather than something concrete or proven.

A grain of salt type of thing.

F1nut · April 2018

The unicorns are calling.

Clipdat · April 2018

I was pretty skeptical too, before I tried one. Do you have $100? You could try out a Shunyata Venom 14 cable for 30 days and if you don't hear any difference ship it right back to MusicDirect.

Seems like a win-win.

K_M wrote: »

My point, I will make it quite simple for you........
All cable debates are pointless. People are simply arguing over anecdotal accounts, rather than something concrete or proven.

A grain of salt type of thing.

K_M · April 2018

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The thing about cables (as opposed to unicorns, e.g.) is that the cables do exist in the corporeal world. One may try them and assess them at face value -- independent of any rap or peer pressure -- and judge for oneself.

I've long opined that reading about hifi is akin to reading about sex -- there is some entertainment value, but one cannot beat empiricism.

So you agree with me, but probably do not realize....
Anecdotes about cables, lack any empirical evidence to anyone but the person relaying the account.

halo · April 2018

K_M wrote: »

MrBuhl wrote: »

I would point out again, if it's pointless to argue, why are you arguing? People hear what they hear - I don't understand trying to convince them otherwise.

My point, I will make it quite simple for you........
All cable debates are pointless. People are simply arguing over anecdotal accounts, rather than something concrete or proven.

A grain of salt type of thing.

So, are you for or against and, if so, which is it?

afterburnt · April 2018

K_M wrote: »

MrBuhl wrote: »

I would point out again, if it's pointless to argue, why are you arguing? People hear what they hear - I don't understand trying to convince them otherwise.

My point, I will make it quite simple for you........
All cable debates are pointless. People are simply arguing over anecdotal accounts, rather than something concrete or proven.

A grain of salt type of thing.

Then why do you comment?

K_M · April 2018

halo wrote: »

K_M wrote: »

MrBuhl wrote: »

I would point out again, if it's pointless to argue, why are you arguing? People hear what they hear - I don't understand trying to convince them otherwise.

My point, I will make it quite simple for you........
All cable debates are pointless. People are simply arguing over anecdotal accounts, rather than something concrete or proven.

A grain of salt type of thing.

So, are you for or against and, if so, which is it?

I would love someone to provide proof that they could identify a difference, but remain quite skeptical otherwise, as I have seen only accounts of subjective experiences so far.

I have very little/no real world experience with "High" priced power cables, but none of the accounts I have read, were truly convincing in any manner that would make me for sure believe the account given was definitive and without question.

There is room for skeptical views. I simply find an anecdotal account, not even close to definitive.

Hence my comment, it is pointless to argue a topic, that is lacking credible proof, and also contrarily just as pointless to get upset, when one is not providing any credible evidence other than saying "Trust me, I know what I hear".

Clipdat · April 2018

I think what you're getting hung up on here, is that nobody is saying "This is what I heard/experienced and you will hear/experience the same!"

We're just sharing our own observations of what we did or did not notice.

K_M wrote: »

There is room for skeptical views. I simply find an anecdotal account, not even close to definitive.

Hence my comment, it is pointless to argue a topic, that is lacking credible proof, and also contrarily just as pointless to get upset, when one is not providing any credible evidence other than saying "Trust me, I know what I hear".

K_M · April 2018

DSkip wrote: »

Not sure where there was an argument in this thread K_M? This was a discussion about merits until you threw your 2 cents in.

Ya know you are probably mostly right. I agree, but I was referring to "In General" in audio forums, the huge amount of back and forth going on.

mhardy6647 · April 2018

Joe Roberts (of Sound Practices fame) offered, I'd opine, some pretty cogent insight (albeit in a slightly different hifi context):

http://www.hifihaven.org/index.php?threads/truly-fantastic-tube-phono-kit-for-beginners.3471/page-7#post-65734

a snippet:

Two (or more) knowledge systems collide in audio and none wins. It is actually a very complex situation if taken seriously, with a somewhat-technical understanding of epistemological conditions underlying this activity. It is more anthropology than engineering, but engineering is anthropology too from where I sit.

Man has no other way to engage the world except through invisible cultural lenses and filters applied to an ongoing flow of unique historical events.

I am agnostic on others' listening experiences and preferences, do my own evaluation in my own natural use contexts, and maybe I'm learning something while getting progressively more confused and less inclined to decide for anybody else. This feels right to me and does not conflict with my book learnin'.

K_M · April 2018

DSkip wrote: »

Sometimes 'proof' isn't necessary. Do you think the sun will appear again tomorrow? Sure you do. There is no proof that it is going to - you simply can't prove it. However, with deductive reasoning, our expectation is that it will. Day in and day out.

Deductive reasoning would lead me to believe that all cables have a signature that presents itself on the sound, whether it be neutral or a coloration. When multiple people with different systems present similar experiences, you can deduce that the cable has an impact on the sound.

I used my deductive reasoning to expect a recent cable thread to turn into an argument. Why? I have no proof of it, but the patterns lead me to believe that we have gone way too long without one.

I guess I was right.

Do you think there is maybe frustration, over not being able to give a more definitive proof, that an individual's account is verifiable, or something entirely different?

lightman1 · April 2018

Rapture is happening on April 23rd. Won't much matter on the 24th.

Tony M · April 2018

When VERY intelligent people say they hear an improvement from upgrading to a more beefier or fancy wire design power cable, they 99.99% probably have.

The only way to change someones' mind, or not, is for them to experience the event themselves.

You can't miss, verify or discount what you haven't heard.

afterburnt · April 2018

K_M wrote: »

DSkip wrote: »

Sometimes 'proof' isn't necessary. Do you think the sun will appear again tomorrow? Sure you do. There is no proof that it is going to - you simply can't prove it. However, with deductive reasoning, our expectation is that it will. Day in and day out.

Deductive reasoning would lead me to believe that all cables have a signature that presents itself on the sound, whether it be neutral or a coloration. When multiple people with different systems present similar experiences, you can deduce that the cable has an impact on the sound.

I used my deductive reasoning to expect a recent cable thread to turn into an argument. Why? I have no proof of it, but the patterns lead me to believe that we have gone way too long without one.

I guess I was right.

Do you think there is maybe frustration, over not being able to give a more definitive proof, that an individual's account is verifiable, or something entirely different?

That would sort of explains why you post to a thread when you have already drawn YOUR conclusion. Nah, Afterburnt's razor: the stupidest explanation tends to be correct. You posted just to whip it.

gp4jesus · April 2018

Clipdat wrote: »

After using my Marantz CDP (with the stock cord) for the past 5 years I was very familiar with its sound. It only took me listening to 2 tracks on a CD to hear the improvement in stereo imaging with the aftermarket cable.

is your CDP’s “new” cord heavier than stocker? Regrettably most of my gear requires modding* (an IEC socket) to swap around power cords. I found it easy to mod same to my B1.39 sub while repairing it. I’m forced to save that* for 2020, my first calendar year of retirement. That is in between honey-do stuff.

K_M · April 2018

Tony M wrote: »

When VERY intelligent people say they hear an improvement from upgrading to a more beefier or fancy wire design power cable, they 99.99% probably have.

The only way to change someones' mind, or not, is for them to experience the event themselves.

You can't miss, verify or discount what you haven't heard.

Does the inverse apply also?

K_M · April 2018

afterburnt wrote: »

K_M wrote: »

DSkip wrote: »

Sometimes 'proof' isn't necessary. Do you think the sun will appear again tomorrow? Sure you do. There is no proof that it is going to - you simply can't prove it. However, with deductive reasoning, our expectation is that it will. Day in and day out.

Deductive reasoning would lead me to believe that all cables have a signature that presents itself on the sound, whether it be neutral or a coloration. When multiple people with different systems present similar experiences, you can deduce that the cable has an impact on the sound.

I used my deductive reasoning to expect a recent cable thread to turn into an argument. Why? I have no proof of it, but the patterns lead me to believe that we have gone way too long without one.

I guess I was right.

Do you think there is maybe frustration, over not being able to give a more definitive proof, that an individual's account is verifiable, or something entirely different?

That would sort of explains why you post to a thread when you have already drawn YOUR conclusion. Nah, Afterburnt's razor: the stupidest explanation tends to be correct. You posted just to whip it.

I'm not sure if you are highly intelligent, humourous or simply ultra rich....

Do power cables make a difference?

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