Case in point: a $90,000 power cord by ASUNZ
There is a line between excellence and exploitation. In high-end audio, we celebrate passion, precision, and engineering that bring us closer to the music. We accept that real performance costs real money. But every so often, a product comes along that crosses the line into absurdity — and, frankly, insults the intelligence of the global audiophile community.
Case in point: a $90,000 power cord. (https://eqaudio.ca/power-cables/ansuz-mainz-d-tc3-gold-signature-power-cable/) A blatant insult to the intelligence of the global audiophile community!!!!!
Yes, you read that correctly. A piece of wire dressed up as “innovation,” sold for the price of a luxury car. It is not just excessive, it is contemptuous of the very customers who sustain this hobby.
The danger here isn’t only to one brand’s credibility. When companies market cables at such outrageous prices, they make the entire industry look foolish to the outside world. They reinforce every stereotype: that audiophiles are gullible, that high-end gear is snake oil, that this pursuit is less about music and more about status symbols.
We, as music lovers, are not idiots. We know the difference between engineering and opportunism. We know when craftsmanship justifies a premium — and when pricing is simply a provocation.
If high-end audio is to survive, manufacturers must show respect for both the craft and the community. Otherwise, the “legacy” they leave will not be of sonic breakthroughs, but of arrogance, excess, and ridicule.
This letter is not just directed at one company. It’s a call for honesty, sanity, and responsibility across the industry. If the goal is truly to celebrate music, then let’s price gear like it’s made for music lovers — not billionaires with no sense of value.
Steve Pappas
A concerned audiophile
@lanx0003 +1 |
Regarding power cords, based on personal experience, I am in general agreement with this guy that they can and often (not always) do make a difference, mainly as a result of how they deal with external noise sources, which vary greatly case by case. Audiophile Cable TRUTHS: Power Cords Saying any power cable always sounds better is nonsense, as is saying it doesn't matter. It may not to some but fact is it can matter a lot! The devil is in the details of each use case by case. Being smart about this will get you way further than merely throwing money at the problem.
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"how they deal with external noise sources" Good manufacturers design device power supply modules to be immune / reject RFI/etc noise. Additionally there are plenty of RFI suppression clamps available on market, to suppress noise even more if needed. you can look at filters available on market today, including IEC receptacle w/ RFI filter here: https://www.mouser.com/c/power/power-condition/power-line-filters/?current%20rating=20%20A |
@jafox Let's just agree to disagree and part friends. I can only speak to my personal experiences. In my system, the short cables that carry alternating current to my amps, don't have a tonal quality. That seems to be the same result many others get, but clearly not everyone. Apparently, some systems get tighter bass, wider and deeper soundstage, more air between the instruments and clearer vocals. All by changing the 3 feet of conduit between the wall and the amps. I guess I've just been buying the wrong equipment, but luckily for me, my system still sounds fabulous in spite of this. Now I'm off to listen to a CD that just arrived. John Schofield's "A Go Go" Cheers. |
