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

Showing 10 responses by roxy54

This question has been answered multiple times. The simple answer is: Why would they? Just because a customer wants a certain amp or preamp doesn't mean that they consider the manufacturer a specialist in power cord design, and they usually want to experiment with different brands that they have read about or been given a recommendation for. 

Manufacturers of high end gear are well aware of this, so they supply perfectly adequate power cords, and leave it to the buyer to decide whether or not to use them.

 

@bruce19 

Well, now you're starting in on a whole different subject, and what you're saying here is not wholly true either. Many manufacturers go into considerable detail about the construction of their power cords, and their reasons for making them the way they do. Whether we choose to believe what they say, or whether those techniques and materials actually make a difference is for the end user to decide.

Again, this is a different subject than asking why component manufacturers don't include fancy power cords of their own manufacture.

 

@bruce19 

How is it not much of an answer? I think it has been proven to be true in practice. I think that the companies that make amps etc. are fully capable of making good power cords, but part of the fun of being an audiophile for many is to mix and  match different boutique brands with their components. It isn't about their ability to make good cords, it's more about customer perception.

@bruce19,

That is a ridiculous idea. How could they possibly make a statement like that about something that is a subjective preference?

@lalitk 

What fun would that be? Then you couldn't spend 5k on and aftermarket cord.

It makes no sense. Amp manufacturers supply power cords. People like specialist power cords and are free to buy them. OP’s assertion that amp makers should supply what are essentially specialized boutique cables is silly. End users like to choose their own, and even if the maker supplied a special cable, it might not work optimally in the end user’s system. as others have said. So what is there for me to learn @lovepianos?