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A fresh approach to cable analysis

Here’s an interesting idea that I wish someone would do. Start a YouTube channel in which you take full range of power cords, interconnects, and speaker wire ranging from cheap to top-of-the-line and carefully dissect them and expose how they are constructed and with what. In the past, we have been through all the arguments about measurements and subjective evaluation, and that gets us nowhere. I think, looking at the physical construction of these chords, which I assume almost no one ever does, especially on the more expensive ones, would produce some surprising results and really be hard to argue with. I’m sure manufacturers would hate this idea, but I don’t think there’s any way legally that they could challenge it. 

bruce19
bruce19 OP
358 posts
 

@kennyc Statistics require an ample sample size to determine properties of the population as a whole. Seems you are only using a sample of 1 to make global conclusions

Afraid I have to call a foul on that line of argument when discussing manufactured products. Especially pricey manufactured products. The amount of allowable variation in that case is just about zero. You expect them to exercise quality control. Consumer Reports just tests one specimen of a given model car or one washing machine model, not a population. We are not talking about the average weight of a gerbil's liver. Either the cable is built to spec or not.

bruce19 OP
358 posts
 

@total111 Thanks for the comments and the document. I began it and it looks interesting. I think you and I are kind of on a similar quest.

The big caution with AI however is that we must always remember it is not thinking, it is returning things that have been presented to it elsewhere as being connected. It can spout nonsense when it has found nonsense presented in a logical or convincing fashion elsewhere on the web. I have found this to be true in areas where I am somewhat competent to judge. But with controversial subjects like audio cables judging the soundness of what AI reports gets difficult.

total111
92 posts
 

@bruce19 hence its on the first page "AI can make mistakes", I let it write it itself....it often spouts doubious claims with total confidence, when challenged, it apologizes....lol...its scary how "smart" and at the same time totally stupid it is....no doubt...

parkergetdean
1,036 posts
 

I would go absolutely nuts and throw backflips watching a youtube channel on cables. I would probably have to hit my head with a frying pan to calm myself down.

kennyc
2,877 posts
 

Afraid I have to call a foul on that line of argument when discussing manufactured products. Especially pricey manufactured products

unproven assumption. 

So your saying open 1 cable represents all possible materials, weave structures, metal alloys…? I have not seen the insides of some $10k+ cabling, have you?

The amount of allowable variation in that case is just about zero. You expect them to exercise quality control.

You’re mixing apples and oranges. Isn’t this thread about opening up and looking? You’re talking about measurements.

Also, assuming it is measured, how do we know what is measured is all we hear?

Finally, consumers reports tests and compares against other “known” products. Quite different from looking at a sample then proclaiming the entire population follows the same pattern 

 

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