How can power cords make a difference?

Hi 702, unlike me you seem to have a good knowledge of electronics and why things should or should not work. I believe that most PC,IC, speaker cable, ETC have a sound, coloration or whatever you want to call it. Maybe thats part of our problem. When I put something new in my system, I expect a change in sound. You are coming from a different point of view. I guess you don't expect a change in sound with PCs. Maybe we both have preconceived ideas. As far as double blind testing, I have tried and failed but that does not mean PCs are not a benefit. It just means I failed. I could give reasons why double blind testing doesn't work for me but it would sound like I am making excuses.
I don't think you are a pseudo intellect, I think our background in audio sometimes gets in our way. Even though I failed blind testing, at least I gave it a try. Have you or will you give a PC a try? I have one you can borrow for a week or two. I took the PC challenge and failed but it doesn't change the fact that PCs can be a valuable upgrade. I challenge you to try my PC. With this challenge there is no failure. You hear a difference or you don't.
Hang in there 702, I like the way you stand up for yourself. I agree with Jhunter, I think you are getting less respect than deserved.

Sedond: If I told you what I use, I wouldn't have the fun of seeing a bunch of people telling me what _they_ think it is. ;-)

Albertporter: Obviously what? You make a lot of assumptions on things you know nothing about, Albert. Maybe that's why you disapprove of blind listening tests? To me, valid tests require that assumptions and biases be eliminated and that they be maximally sensitive. That means double-blind testing, especially ABX. Non-blind listening tests are so easily fudged that they aren't worth a bucket of warm spit except to the person making a sale.

Brulee: When I put in something new, I don't expect a change in sound unless I purposely alter something that will obviously change the signal; I wait to listen to see if there actually is a change. Expecting a change is an assumption, an article of faith, a baseless and premature decision. To be open minded, you have to first prove that there is a change; then you can decide if it's a change for the better or not. I don't expect a change with PCs because in my experience, any design engineer halfway competent or better is going to make his power supply robust enough to handle AC that varies over some range, and a change in the AC wires to the outlet just isn't going to make a detectable difference unless the wires are actually damaged. I'd like to try some of the fancy PCs some time in a proper double-blind test with a bunch of different listeners who are sharp and then publish the results. It's not a priority, though, just because I've got a lot of other stuff on my plate already, and those that pay the bills get first dibs. Some people whose opinion and audio knowledge I respect have done numerous blind tests of all sorts of cables and found that within certain parameters (for example, comparing a 12 gauge speaker cable, whether it's zip cord or something fancy, to a 24 gauge wire would be an absurd thing), they don't affect the sound because their electrical effects are minimal enough. OTOH, I've yet to find or read about anyone who actually knows audio and electronics (and I don't mean just knowing the buzzwords or how to sell) who genuinely believes in fancy special cables AND can prove that they're better.

702, ewe can make yokes about it all ya want, but it still doesn't make what i say any less true. brulee is right there's potentiual here, for us to learn from yer experience, but up unti now, we have fro ewe zilch, nuttin', nada. total waste of time.

doug s.

Doug, you forgot "zip".

here is my guess.

All Levinson reference front end,
Watt Puppy 6.1 speakers
Transparent ref. xl I.C. with Opus Speaker cable
PS audio ultimate outlet feeding PS 1200 and PS 300
Way exotic power cords...

Am I close?