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.

Ag insider logo xs@2xbruce19

What's this "consensus" I keep reading about? Maybe here, but there are many, many other people who know think that power cables produce no difference in the sound of your audio system. 

There, I fixed that for you.

All the best,
Nonoise

Naim Audio offers both optional power cord upgrades, as well as interconnect upgrades.

+1 @mrskeptic 

Oh but they spent over 1000 dollars on that power cord so it must've improved the sound of their amplifier. Yeah....

As a life long skeptic…manufacturers carefully select components and wiring to optimize the performance of their devices…and advertise as such. Considering the margins involved and just how competitive their markets are, if they felt their device would perform appreciably better vs the competition with a certain power cord rather than the generic one they include, than they would include it and bake it into the price. 
 

The high end is not about pinching pennies. Whether an amp is $22k or $23.5k would make little difference in sales volume if the $23.5k version clearly outperformed their competitors thanks to be paired with the perfect power cord. So, it would be my contention that if the power cord made the device sound better, it would be in the box. Just my opinion, of course.