Why Power Cables Affect Sound

I AM trying to convince folks... Just sayin'.  If I could just hypnotize everyone yeah! BUY AFTERMARKET POWERCORDS!!!! and as  mantra you can't forget...        No need to be reasonable. just go do it.                    
If I could do that...... I certainly would include 'send me gifts of money'... LOL

The relatively simple reason behind a well-constructed power cord making a difference is this: more current delivered (quality conductors) + a cleaner signal (proper shielding) = better sound.
The use of multiple gauges, different wire types (stranded, solid core, etc.), and "exotic" materials, are just different approaches to delivering on the same goal - maximum current transfer with minimum interference/noise (and, of course, a healthy dose of marketing thrown in for good measure).
As far as pricing for cables, or any other component for that matter, the price will reflect whatever the market will bear.  That itself is based on many factors, including brand recognition/reputation, and what the current "equivalent" product sells for.To put it another way, the price reflects whatever someone is willing to pay.

I sold by far the most Audioquest Storm powercables in my country this year. And my clients even call them a ’bargain’.

In the beginning of 2019 Audioquest Europe will visit me at home. We will show them how much more quality and result we can get out of their cables then they can reach.

They will bring in their Niagara powerconditioners (I asked them to) and then they can give a demo how they use their cables.

After this the master will outperform them by Tru-Fi. I will proof how much more quality and result we can create with their powercabels than they can create by the way they use them.

Due to Tru-Fi I can reach and use the full potential of their cables. And I will proof on sound and facts how much more we can get out of these cables than they can reach.

When you use powercables by trial and error you only can reach a limited level in result. That is why I wanted to invite them. Tru-Fi gives us access to the full DNA of their cables. Audioquest Europe is impressed why we sell so much more of these powercables compared to all other shops. So we will demonstrate them the reason why.

We have proven to our clients that we can reach a step in result and quality with these powercables they could not get by spending the same money on another audio product.

We have done a lot of research in electricity in the last few years. We also create separate electricity groups for audio for our clients. But we also did a lot of research regarding smog, highfrequent noise and magnetism. And also in these parts we made big steps.

I started in 2002 to do a lot of research in powercables. And this made me use them a lot since this time. The new Audioquest Storm powercables are stunning in our Tru-Fi world. Because we can use all the properties they own. This makes them so much more influential than when you would use them in a limited trail and error world.

Just an observation. Interesting conversation. I started reading it from the beginning but then the same ole pattern was obvious. There are those who have spent the money, did some serious listening, and have drawn some conclusions on if this or that makes a difference in SQ in ones system. Usually these are people who can point to something specific when making such a claim, or explain their observation e.g. better highs, or better bass, or better imaging, etc.. On the other hand there are those who criticize, but only have that criticism with no meat, nothing conclusive to back the claim that someone saying power cables, ICs or whatever the topic is does NOT make a difference. Why is the burden of proof aways on the difference maker. OP You installed the upgraded power cable on your CD player and you heard an improvement in SQ. You did not say you "I think I heard" or "its my opinion that it sounded better". It sounded better. Period. Don't let anyone push you off the fact that you can hear a change in your system. Sometimes we can't explain exactly why something like a new cable, etc makes a difference for the better. None of us are audio equipment designers (well maybe some of you are). We still can't explain how the pyramids were made either but there they stand. Im not saying to believe everything you hear about an audio solution, but if something works it works. So OP good for you. You bought a new CD player, put a upgraded cable on it and now it sounds the way you like it to. You will never get a full answer as to why, but nothing wrong with asking the question.