The $250 power cables and $600 power strip that dethroned my $10k Shunyata Everest

"This is a subjective hobby, is it not?" Indeed.

subjective specifically means relating to an object as it exists in the mind, as opposed to the thing as it exists in reality (the thing in itself). All perception relies on your mind, so your perception of a thing is ultimately subjective.

Now, objective

Something that’s truly objective has nothing to do with a person’s own feelings or views—it just deals with facts.

So, having no subjective opinion on these products yet, I took a look at the company's site and most everything on the WBF about them.

I'm not one to be swayed simply by a gushing opinion, I feel you have to look at something objectively before you can look at something subjectively, makes sense, right.

The more I 'objectively' read, the more skeptical I became. 

First, this is unquestionably savvy marketing. And nothing more. Here's why:

Buzzwords: Quantum. Superconducting. Phase smearing. Utter nonsense, but used effectively. If their products worked like how their alluding to, they'd have every physicist on the planet beating down their door.

I say alluding because they cleverly inject the words 'may', 'we feel', 'acts like', etc...

See, that gives them their out. So easy to glean over that when reading a sentence.

Next: Proprietary. Gotta have that secret sauce. Adds that air of unique technolological mystery. They of course can't divulge any more as they're 'looking into' patenting it.

My favorite: Lingering effect!

When they were at I believe AXPONA, the A/B'd their $5 treated cord with a $5 non treated one. When people started telling them they couldn't hear a difference, they literally shut down the testing, then came up with this gem: The effect of the treated cord is so powerful it remains in the system for hours even after being removed!! 

When questioned about this on WBF, crickets from QSAL, but a certain member that is also on this thread jumped right in to defend the non answer.

There's more, but that's enough.

So, after being objective and reading all that plus more, I formulated my subjective opinion:

I'm not going to waste my time and 90 bucks on a product from a company that spews unequivocal nonsense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition:

If these cables actually did what is claimed, every company in the world that utilizes cables, every power grid, every military, every aerospace entity, would be tripping over each other to use this ’secret technology’, yet as far as I know their sole market is selling it to the tiny niche of guys who listen to music. 

Anyone have an opinion as to why that might be? Anyone?

@thecarpathian 

 

Buzzwords: Quantum. Superconducting. Phase smearing. Utter nonsense, but used effectively. If their products worked like how their alluding to, they'd have every physicist on the planet beating down their door.

I say alluding because they cleverly inject the words 'may', 'we feel', 'acts like', etc...

See, that gives them their out. So easy to glean over that when reading a sentence.

Next: Proprietary. Gotta have that secret sauce. Adds that air of unique technolological mystery. They of course can't divulge any more as they're 'looking into' patenting it.

I couldn't help but notice some of those same words in the "marketing" verbage from the manufacturer of an amplifier I most recently purchased: 

 

"Four additional DC regulated power supplies are housed in the amplifier section along with added proprietary circuits for an environment that is near perfect, the audio signal passes as if it’s a straight wire with gain. (phase shift is ultra low, impulse speed is ultra fast)  Pure Class A operation with Zero Feed Back. Total electrical noise is 100% isolated from the upper amplifier. Special Thermal consideration in design now controls temperature stability for the sensitive DC current regulators. "

Wait, there is more. What if you read this on a manufacturers website? 

"You awake from your reverie to a clarion call. The audio pilgrims’ great journey must continue, taking you into even more rarified atmospheres where the muses sing and dance with delight.  Here are steep slopes only the technically prepared mountain goats dare to navigate. The unfortunate and unprepared may fall, but musical Truth comes into even clearer focus as one’s eyes look towards the summit.  This is place of hawks whose cry reverberates with such clarity and presence that you feel more alive. Your soul gets its high octane boost from the first child of Truth.

Is it all worth it? One word YES! This model will bring you to tears as it presents an unbelievable listening experience, music comes alive with an uncanny transparency, open air sound-stage. Bass is tight, forceful, articulate, like no other SE on the market PERIOD “except ours” It’s as if the musicians and performance are right in the room with you. Stunning “Feel the music” "

 Ridiculous? Absolutely. You would jump all over this too. And yet if someone "formed their subjective opinion" and dismissed listening to one based purely on these words they have done themselves a disservice. it is the most incredible amplifier I have ever had. 

Words mean nothing. Not mine, not yours, not a reviewers or a website. Proof is in the listening.

@thecarpathian 

In addition:

If these cables actually did what is claimed, every company in the world that utilizes cables, every power grid, every military, every aerospace entity, would be tripping over each other to use this ’secret technology’, yet as far as I know their sole market is selling it to the tiny niche of guys who listen to music. 

Anyone have an opinion as to why that might be? Anyone?

I am no expert in any of these fields, but I don’t think so. 

With transmission lines it is just easier to bump the voltage and reduce the current to reduce losses over long distances. 

*Actually, utilities in my area have been going back to using aluminum instead of copper for the cost savings, they just use a larger size and anti-corrosion goop. 

With anything else it is probably more cost effective to increase size of the conductor than treat it with whatever to increase its conductivity/lower resistance than zap it/pulse it with high voltages, infuse it with carbon/xxxxxx, or apply whatever this secret sauce might be. 

it’s worth stating: Our ears are more sensitive and accurate than any human built instrument.