2. cables
  3. 150210-127647

I wonder why......

If power cables offer such dramatic improvements (not saying they do or don't), why don't component manufacturers supply them as part of a component sale? All high end components come with power cords that can be disconnected. The cost of a mid level aftermarket replacement cord is only a fraction of what the typical high end component costs so if sound is improved so much, why wouldn't a manufacturer want to "improve" the sound of their components by providing an upgraded cord at the point of sale? 

High end automobiles (Porsche, Ferrari, AMG, etc.) are typically supplied with the best tires available on the market. Often these are specifically designed by tire makers to the auto maker's specs. This is to extract every ounce of performance from their product. If high car makers did what audio manufacturers did, they would be supplying their cars with average, run of the mill tires expecting the buyer to upgrade on his own. Wouldn't audio component makers want to extract the best performance from their gear?

The only thing I can think of is that audio component manufacturers don't think so called upgraded power cables are worth the added cost.

What am I missing?

J.Chiappinelli
128x128jchiappinelli
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mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 
I just replaced a customer's stock power cord on a $25k amplifier with a $3k Shunyata Sigma. The difference was immediate and obvious. A few hours later the customer called me to tell me how happy he was, how much he was enjoying his music. When he bought the amp a few years ago he was given a choice, and claimed he couldn't hear a difference between the stock power cable and a then top of the line power cable. In the interim, he upgraded his speakers to Wilson Sasha DAWs, his DAC to a Berkeley Reference DAC, added a DCS Network bridge to feed the DAC, and upgraded from a Mark Levinson to an Ayre preamp. My point is first that his system now has sufficient resolution to appreciate the improvement provided by the new power cord. Second, manufacturers of cables continue to learn how to make their products better.
Finally, it would be unfortunate not to get as much performance as possible from one's investment in components!
It is not at all obvious to me that experience in designing and manufacturing exceptional amplifiers (for example) gives a company a leg up in designing cables.
In fact, one of the very best manufacturers of high performance amplifiers, Spectral, depends on another specialist (MIT) to complete their designs.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
To the OP; just try. I never built better systems until I started trying things out for myself. :)
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,547 posts
 
I used to have a friend that enjoyed audio as much as I did. The problem with him was that he didn't want to spend any more than what he thought he should pay.

He was always jealous and could hear the difference but over time he rationalized his point of view to the extent that he would intentionally get into arguments with salon owners, confronting them on the cost.

He would listen to any new piece of gear I bought and just stand there, getting upset and trying his best not to show it, but his facial expressions and body language betrayed his feelings. Jealousy. Pure and simple.

He could hear the differences but outright dismissed them as not important enough to justify the cost. His only joy was to play it as loud as he could and grin and smirk about it, as if he achieved something.

That is what I hear when people deride and decry such things as the efficacy of aftermarket power cords, or anything, for that matter. The put on a show, portraying themselves as out to save you from yourself. 

All the best,
Nonoise
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