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The Truth About Power Cords and there "Real" Price to Performance

This is a journey through real life experiences from you to everyone that cares to educate themselves. I must admit that I was not a believer in power cords and how they affect sound in your system. I from the camp that believed that the speaker provided 75% of the sound signature then your source then components but never the power cord. Until that magic day I along with another highly acclaimed AudioGoner who I will keep anatomist ran through a few cables in quite a few different systems and was "WOWED" at what I heard. That being said cable I know that I am not the only believer and that is why there are so many power cord/cable companies out there that range from $50 to 20-30 thousand dollars and above. So I like most of you have to scratch my head and ask where do I begin what brand and product and what should i really pay for it?

The purpose of this discussion to get some honest feed back on Price to Performance from you the end user to us here in the community.

Please fire away!


 


128x128blumartini
badger_erich's avatar
badger_erich
128 posts
 
Every time I read a cable topic, I visualize my bank account balance dropping. As a person nearing retirement, I just can't see myself throwing down much money on cable upgrades when I am trying to buy better or reference components. Cullen Cable will be my best option for the money.
jerrybj
860 posts
 
badger_erich

I know exactly what you mean. The cables I've bought in the last year are hopefully my last, with retirement a wee way away, but certainly a factor. The Audience Au24SX are certainly my end interconnects. My ATC SCM19v2 are my 'end game' speakers.

Locally made Mad Scientist power cables are my last as well.
delkal
110 posts
 
JerryBJI know exactly what you mean. The cables I've bought in the last year are hopefully my last, with retirement a wee way away, but certainly a factor. The Audience Au24SX are certainly my end interconnects. My ATC SCM19v2 are my 'end game' speakers.

Top quality stuff.   Don't let the media / marketing shills or the mega rich (who want to feel special) try and convince you anything is lacking.  If you are happy with them enjoy!
This is what price to performance in audio boils down to.  Marketers that want to sell a dream at outrageous prices.   And the people with more money than brains that want to make you feel humble and try and justify their purchase.

jerrybj
860 posts
 
Delkal

And also got them at good prices.
The Audience Au24SX were around US$390/pair, and the ATC SCMs were US$2000. 

Certainly at the lower end of high cost (which I'd never pay).
boxer12
8,655 posts
 
rcfun33 says:
" Use a $5K cable for the final 3 ft and plug it into a $3 outlet and $0.12/ft, 14 gauge wire that runs 75 ft back to the breaker box."

That would be a real waste of a nice power cord unless you added at least two zero's behind the outlet price. 
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