Try for a non-troll discussion on this . . . small changes due to cables and cords:

General Asylum

General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

I was at the DIY speaker event a couple of weeks ago and that included a dinner with some interesting engineers. Like all good audio discussions that include libations, we got around to cables and power cords. STOP! This is not about cables and power cords per-se, but an interesting resulting question.
Without getting into the "if they work" question, how many of us could define if a very small change in sound is better or worse?
Do some manutacturers knowingly make products that degrade sound?
The idea is that if a manufacturer knowingly created a power cord that degraded the sound just a wee bit (this being a lot easier than creating one that improved the sound) and sold it for $200, how many people could tell is was a degrade. The psychology says "I hear a difference", "I read testimonials", and "I spend $200", so is must be better.
Again, I am not saying they work or do not, just wondering how many of us could tell. I was part of a cable test last spring and it was surprising how few people could hear a difference. And those who could hear a difference could not come to a better/worse decision. I noticed this last year in a cap test. Many could hear a difference but few could call a winner (in that one I consistantly picked the cheaper cap :( Clearly, time in one's home is a better test.
This may be old hat around here or I may get my wrist slapped for trolling, but this question keeps haunting me.
Kind of like the STP additive question.
P

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Topic - Try for a non-troll discussion on this . . . small changes due to cables and cords: - Pjay 06:47:59 11/17/03 (8)

Some comments - David Aiken 22:19:39 11/17/03 (1)

Not "deliberately degrade," but they do design products to sell... - Jim Stoneburner 23:16:17 11/17/03 (0)

Good example of this when I installed BPT BP-3.5 power conditioner... - Jim Stoneburner 20:53:11 11/17/03 (0)

Re: Try for a non-troll discussion on this . . . small changes due to cables and cords: - Rob Thomas 18:52:27 11/17/03 (0)

You don't need to limit it to cables and cords - Norm Strong 18:24:29 11/17/03 (0)

Re: Try for a non-troll discussion on this . . . small changes due to cables and cords: - Ted Smith 11:41:19 11/17/03 (0)

I've always thought a lot of people probably mix up ... - PureAudio 08:55:52 11/17/03 (0)

Re: Try for a non-troll discussion on this . . . small changes due to cables and cords: - biggerdog 07:09:17 11/17/03 (0)

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