2. cables
  3. 1071276890

Power Cords Snake Oil ??

Having been a long time audiophile living with countless high end compnents I have to wonder about the theory and practicality of high end power cords.

I have yet to hear the difference a power cord makes. Ive owned, synergistic, Shunyata, BMI and cardas. I in no way can detect any sonic signature or change. Give me a pair of interconnects and I imeadiately notice a difference somewhere in the sonic spectrum. Not the PC though. I have accomplished 4 blind tests with my friends. 3 out of the 4 they did not know their cord was replaced. All 4 were using a stock factory supplied cord. Each of the 4 tests were done on different components. Amp, CDP, Preamp & dac.

My electrical backround tells me that provided you supply the component with its required voltage bet 110vac or 220/240vac its happy. Now, change the incoming frequency from 60hz to say 53hz and watch how quickly your soundstage collapses.! This is often the case during the summer months when home air conditioners are in use and the utility company power output is taxed to the max. A really good power conditioner should however take care of the frequency fluctuations. But 110vac is still 110vac regardless of the conductor it passes through as long as its remains 110vac when it reaches the intended circuit. Does your 8k amp or preamp know the difference of the path the voltage took to reach it ? Many an audiophile will use a dedicated 20amp circut for their equipment.That is a good idea as voltage & frequency fluctuations will occur in the home circuit to to other loads on the main breaker panel but again, A power cord simply is the means of transporting the voltage from the wall to the component. IF there is a clean 110vac @ 60hz at the wall socket, no matter what the medium is to go from the socket to the component, it will still be 110vac @60hz.

Could somebody expand on this a bit more. I just dont understand it. ??
jetmek

Showing 7 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,228 posts
 
ostensible_constituency

I've been commenting in good faith here ...

Actually no, you haven't at all. You've attempted to engage contributors here in wagering. The moderators deleted those posts. You've also made claims about the group, but then failed to substantiate them. For example:

    ... The only thing that qualifies as "dogma" around here is the notion/statement that "my power cable sounds better than yours because I say so!" which gets repeated over and over and over ... .....not to mention "I don’t believe in science!

 And you've complained when moderators enforce the rules here:
And yet you still report my posts to the moderators for removal rather than let them stand on their own to demonstrate "third or fourth grade" writing. Riiiiiiight.
And then there's your "colorful" and imaginative language:
If the answer is NO - then kindly STHU about this mostly-imaginary "bet" that your lizard brain is wrapped around the axle on and let’s proceed with the debate on power cables regarding their own merits or lack thereof.
And you've manufactured other claims, such as this:
One of your fellow snake oil believers said that my study proving power cables don’t make a difference was too old - 14 years.
So no, you haven't even remotely shown good faith. Have a Nice Day.
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
nonoise  (to @ostensible_constituency)
You're not the first to go around, banging your drum about double blind testing and proffering wagers, which the mods frown upon. You'll find out soon enough.
Quite so. This is not the place for such nonsense. This a hobbyist's group. No one here owes anyone anything, including complying with demands for scientific evidence, participating in double-blind studies or being ridiculed or shamed for refusing to wager with an anonymous Internet user.
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
ostensible_constituency
You have serious issues with reading for comprehension, so I'll repeat this one last time for your benefit. I never said I KNOW anything FOR CERTAIN.
Yes you did:
"I would wager everything that I own and my kid’s college savings that you could not distinguish the difference between two power cables of equivalent length, same AWG (even "effective AWG") with ALL other variables in the given system controlled - more than 50% of the time."
You've also stated:
... The only thing that qualifies as "dogma" around here is the notion/statement that "my power cable sounds better than yours because I say so!" which gets repeated over and over and over ...
and:
.....not to mention "I don’t believe in science!"
Do you have any proof of those claims? Ive asked you because I've never seen such statements here previously, yet you claim they are common.
If you're still having trouble with that VERY basic concept, perhaps an education of some kind is in order, even at the local community college?
That looks like a case of projection to me.
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
ostensible_constituency
... The only thing that qualifies as "dogma" around here is the notion/statement that "my power cable sounds better than yours because I say so!" which gets repeated over and over and over ...
I’ve been reading these forums for years and I don’t recall anyone ever saying that. Ever. Yet, you claim it "gets repeated over and over and over." Please provide a few examples to substantiate your claim. Given the frequency of repetition that you profess, it should be easy for you to comply. Feel free to use Google, if that helps.

.....not to mention "I don’t believe in science!"
Amazing! Again, I don’t recall anyone ever saying that here. Ever. Yet, you claim it "gets repeated over and over and over." Please provide a few examples to substantiate your claim.
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
ostensible_constituency
That’s because I wasn’t talking to you and nobody else asked, but ...
Actually, you were talking to me. It’s how forums work. When you post here, anybody can read what you wrote. If you want to exclude participants, use a P.M. or an email. I’m surprised you don’t understand that.

Have I participated in blind A/B comparison studies? No ...
Amazing! Yet this lack of first-hand experience doesn’t stop you from claiming that you know the outcome of every double-blind power cord listening test that has ever been conducted, or ever will be conducted!
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
ostensible_constituency
Back on the subject, I’m glad you asked:

https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/feature-article-blind-test-power-cords-12-2004.html
So your claim about not being able to distinguish between power cables power cables in a blind test is based on someone else's 14-year-old test?

Oh, and did I forget to mention that I also base it on my years of listening to audio equipment, the fact that I have an EE degree and that I've designed both switching and non-switching power supplies - including the type that would be used in audio components?
No, you didn't mention that, which is the logical fallacy of a call to authority. Please tell us: Have you ever conducted an actual blind test to substantiate your belief? Have you ever participated in such a test?
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
ostensible_constituency
... Power cords DO NOT sound different in a controlled blind A/B comparison test. PERIOD.
ALL CAPS is shouting and not necessary.
Please tell us about the controlled tests you've performed that leads to this conclusion. Who conducted the test, and who participated? How did you switch between the power cords? What cords did you evaluate?

Or, do you state this based purely on intuition?
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