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.

bruce19

Showing 2 responses by alexatpos

Burmester is company that offers complete loop and complete list of products if you like and want their system, including speakers.

As for the power cords, when you buy Burmester product, from their ’top’ or ’reference’ line, you are getting the power cord with component as well.You may buy that cord for some other gear or for some lower level Burmester stuff as well.

Now comes the tricky part. Burmester often demonstrates their system that are wired with their cables, but often they do it with Nordost Odin or Valhhala wires.

Had them both (V.and O.first series), ic’s and power cords (never the speaker cables) with complete Burmester system (except for the speakers) and the Odin’s are the best (no surprise there) but one should be carefull (imho) with Valhalla’s, as they tend to dominate on the sound of the system, making it somewhat ’clinical’ in lack of better term.

Between Valhalla’s and Burmester wires I would probablly choose Burmester’s silver ones (for the reason above mentioned) and that way you will also save few thousands.

But, it is important to say, that if you have only one Burmester component in your system (for example now I have only their 089 ’top line’ player/dac/preamp) you may have ’better’ results with some other cable brand, depending on your system and taste.After many different ones that I have tryed, now I use Synergistic Research power cord. (Burmester cable is in the box for now) Not saying that SR. is ’the best’, but it took me months of trying all that I can get my hands on (from friendly dealer and friends) and that particular one suited me the best. Again, if I change my amp and preamp, some other may sound better, who knows. I believe only to what I hear, in my system.

As for other brands, I think that Spectral recommends Mit, and Ayre Cardas (perhaps Avalon too, when its in combination with Ayre) and I think thats some other brands might have their line of cables as well (Gryphon or Naim for example)

@bruce19 Forgot to write that once I had Krell Evo 302 amp and got the power cord with it as well. It was 20A thick wire and it almost looked like ordinary 'black' cable that you get with other gear (only much thicker and surface was smooth, like insulation on Cardas cables) but it was 'better' sounding than few that I tryed on its place. Could I perhaps find a 'better' one? Perhaps, but, imho, it takes lots of time and lots of cables to find the one you consider the 'best' (even if you have the idea what 'type' of the cable or the 'sound' you are looking for).So, sometimes if some piece of gear plays great already with its power cord (like that Krelll, finding the aftermarket cord is something that I worry less about) Imho, the power cord on any component must be in synergy not only with that piece of gear, but with the rest of the system, including all wires.For example, sometimes is possible to find 'better' cable (per se) for some component, but some other might be better suiting for the sound of the whole system