Power cable , Transparent or AudioQuest ?

[3db]

I really don’t understand.
Big manufacturers build and sell very expensive power cables.
No government supervision? No one check ?

Cable and interconnect manufacturers are fraudulent at best, peddling their product like some cheap dimestore hooker selling her wares on Bourbon street. They are rather vile companies that should be closed down by government agencies.

 

[MaxInValrico]

I can buy one Power cable and need to understand what's best from 2 options ?

1. Transparent PowerLink Plus .
2. AudioQuest Monsoon .

2 Meters each.

Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks.

Do you actually think that the manufacturer of whatever equipment this will get used on would cheap out and provide an insufficient power cable?

 

[fmw]

'UL' has a 170 page specification for AC cords and cables. Very few of these aftermarket cords have been tested to this specification.

And I don't think it matters at all. Power cords are not an issue in AV.

 

[Trell]

And I don't think it matters at all. Power cords are not an issue in AV.

There is a safety aspect to consider for improperly constructed cables, as well as potential insurance issues.

 

[fmw]

Cable and interconnect manufacturers are fraudulent at best, peddling their product like some cheap dimestore hooker selling her wares on Bourbon street. They are rather vile companies that should be closed down by government agencies.

You really don't want government shutting down businesses. Saying that scares me a little. I think for knowledgeable people to support the concept that they don't improve the sound of system is enough. Few of the luxury products are a necessity or an necessarily an improvement in performance. A Rolex watch, for instance, will not keep better time than a cheap electronic watch or your cell phone. People should buy what they want. It is up to us to help them be better informed, not to limit their choices.

 

[Trell]

You really don't want government shutting down businesses. Saying that scares me a little. I think for knowledgeable people to support the concept that they don't improve the sound of system is enough. Few of the luxury products are a necessity or an necessarily an improvement in performance. A Rolex watch, for instance, will not keep better time than a cheap electronic watch or your cell phone. People should buy what they want. It is up to us to help them be better informed, not to limit their choices.

Does the manufacturer of Rolex watches claim that they are more accurate than a quartz clock?

 

[fmw]

There is a safety aspect to consider for improperly constructed cables, as well as potential insurance issues.

Why do you think they are improperly constructed? In our tests we found one of the 15 pairs of interconnects actually affected sound. Those cables had enough inductance to cut high frequencies. The wires were surrounded by a tightly wound coil. To me it is stupid to use something like that. If you want to reduce high frequencies there are options that provide for adjustment. Nevertheless the cables were nicely made and luxurious (and expensive.) None of the interconnects were badly made. It is just that their value was not in affecting sonics with the one exception.

 

[Trell]

Why do you think they are improperly constructed? In our tests we found one of the 15 pairs of interconnects actually affected sound. Those cables had enough inductance to cut high frequencies. The wires were surrounded by a tightly wound coil. To me it is stupid to use something like that. If you want to reduce high frequencies there are options that provide for adjustment. Nevertheless the cables were nicely made and luxurious (and expensive.) None of the interconnects were badly made. It is just that their value was not in affecting sonics with the one exception.

In your post that I replied to it was about power cables, not interconnects.

 

[fmw]

In your post that I replied to it was about power cables, not interconnects.

I know but I didn't test power cables so I commented about the high end cable manufacturers with information that I know.

 

[Speedskater]

And I don't think it matters at all. Power cords are not an issue in AV.

The safety of power cords and all audio equipment should be an issue in AV.

 

[Mikado463]

Cable and interconnect manufacturers are fraudulent at best, peddling their product like some cheap dimestore hooker selling her wares on Bourbon street. They are rather vile companies that should be closed down by government agencies.

Some are for sure, but all of them ? No way ............

 

[Golfx]

I can buy one Power cable and need to understand what's best from 2 options ?

1. Transparent PowerLink Plus .
2. AudioQuest Monsoon .

2 Meters each.

Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks.

Welcome to the forum. Most of us can become convinced that “better AC power cables” can deliver better sound if we shut off the logic side of our brain. I get it—we spend tons of dollars on our sound equipment. So why not match that expense with a proportional expense in good power cables?

But hear comes that nagging logic part. So what about the quality of electrical wire that runs from your breaker box to your outlet? Are you going to improve your sound by adding the additional 3 feet of power cable to your equipment if it is connected to the electrical wiring in your house? The answer is no.

 

[lovinthehd]

Shutting the charlatans down would make me happy but I think if they just get forced into more truthful/fact based advertising, that would be sufficient. Kind of like that government agency in the UK that manages to reign in some there....

 

[3db]

You really don't want government shutting down businesses. Saying that scares me a little. I think for knowledgeable people to support the concept that they don't improve the sound of system is enough. Few of the luxury products are a necessity or an necessarily an improvement in performance. A Rolex watch, for instance, will not keep better time than a cheap electronic watch or your cell phone. People should buy what they want. It is up to us to help them be better informed, not to limit their choices.

I understand what you are saying but these companies are conducting fraud. At the very least, a government agency should force these companies to test using credible 3rdparty testing such as our very own Audioholics as an example. Put any vendor on a "Do Not Buy List, Possible Fraudulent Claim" list and make that list public if they fail to prove to live up to their claims. Any publication or reviewer that supports these companies should be put on that list as well. Then let the market force their closure.

 

[3db]

Some are for sure, but all of them ? No way ............

I never meant to imply all and I agree with you.

 

[mtrycrafts]

If I remember correctly from past discussions here when Jneutron was participating, he indicated that most if not all that they advertise is very subjective in nature, not prone to be testable. They don't claim best measured, etc so one can get away with just subjective like warmer, brighter, etc.
And, audio is not a top priority to question and prosecute if needed. Not a pyramid scheme.

 

[jinjuku]

I can buy one Power cable and need to understand what's best from 2 options ?

1. Transparent PowerLink Plus .
2. AudioQuest Monsoon .

2 Meters each.

Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks.

I've been hitting ebay and getting the HPE Server power cables. Heavy duty, built like a tank, easy to run.

 

[fmw]

I understand what you are saying but these companies are conducting fraud. At the very least, a government agency should force these companies to test using credible 3rdparty testing such as our very own Audioholics as an example. Put any vendor on a "Do Not Buy List, Possible Fraudulent Claim" list and make that list public if they fail to prove to live up to their claims. Any publication or reviewer that supports these companies should be put on that list as well. Then let the market force their closure.

Not the role of federal government. It's role with fraud is to prosecute it. You can consult a lawyer but I doubt it is fraudulent. The power cables do conduct electricity and are probably made with the construction and materials the manufacturers advertise. The issue is whether or not they improve or even affect system sound. We all know that they probably do not. If someone has done a bias controlled listening test and made that conclusion then we can say that they positively do not.

I abandoned high end audio because of a series of bias controlled listening tests I administered with an audio club. I learned that confirmation bias is real and strong. All some people need in order to hear sonic differences is the opinion of an Absolute Sound writer. It is truly amazing. Of course most of these differences disappear when we control bias.

High end audiophiles tell me that they can distinguish the voice of a person even over the telephone. So can I and so can you because the differences between human voices are large and obvious. Confirmation bias appears when the sonic differences are very subtle or non existent. With power cords they are likely non existent. We tested interconnect and digital cables but never power cords. I doesn't take a leap to put power cords in the same camp as interconnects. Sorry for the rant.

 

[lovinthehd]

Perhaps if the FTC had the budgeting and interest in this subject at least fraudulent claims could be corralled. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Bucknekked]

I never meant to imply all and I agree with you.

One of the hallmarks of a poorly written post is when an OP or responder tosses out "all, always, never, or can't" words or synonyms. Absolutes like those are difficult to find in the real world. They also make even the most competent reply seem confrontational or obtuse when that was not anyone's intent.

I know on the AH the topic of cables rattles the most seasoned responders because they've seen most of the claims before, know they are fantasy, and are just looking for a way to vent along with reply. I thought this thread went pretty well. It stayed civil and the OP seemed like a genuine questioner rather than a troll. That helped the thread not to escalate.

I have a good friend, one that has a genuine interest in great sound and a budget that most people can only dream of. A couple of years ago he decided when he purchased a new $30,000 amp that he would also get some upgraded cool power cords. I did my best to wave him off from doing that. He graduated from Stanford and GaTech so he gets technical details. But, there was no waving him off those fancy power cords. His audio dealer gave him several different sets to try and he made a choice between them. Confirmation bias is alive and well.

Here's the thing, he paid what would be dear money to me for those "upgraded power cords". To him however, it was just dressing up his new amp/pre-amp. And it made him happy to do it and he's still happy with the purchase.
I'm ok with that. He's ok with that. And after we've given our opinions on stuff like aftermarket "upgrades" I suppose we should all be OK with what someone else buys.