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

Agree with @curiousjim about PS Audio. They recommend AudioQuest but they also offer their own regenerators, power cords and power conditioners. Luxman, like the others mentioned, has their own interconnects as well.

Go ask Nelson Pass. We can hold a seance and ask the spirit of Sidney Smith (designed the classic Marantz tube gear of the Fifties) what he thinks about power cords. Ditto for Stewart Hegeman (designer of the classic HK Citation tube gear). I am sure these esteemed gentlemen would be appalled at the state of boutique wire today! To them a kettle cord was all that was required for their products! I would agree with them! After all, the power supply is where it all starts - not with the wire to the AC outlet!

Though Pass Labs regularly uses Silent Source cables and cords (fairly expensive) for their audio show demo rooms....(they do include a nice quality generic cord with their equipment)...

Tangentially, saw an interview with Nelson Pass, where he said Ray Kimber loaned him some speaker cables to try...he said they sounded great, but when he found out they were $54.000 a pair...