The problem with ABX is that the audio experience is a lesson in perception and ABX is inconclusive for audio. Its fine for determining which flavor of cola is most popular but with audio, especially high end audiophile the differences are subtle and deal with nuance. Things such as timing/rhythm, air and ambiance, transparency are not easily discerned. They poke their ugly little heads out at different times and respond to different passages in a very indiscernible way. This is the root of ALL argument; are the difference then real or not?
I have found (and I’m not alone) that living with different cords and allowing the mind to grow accustomed to the sound signatures aids in differentiating between them. What I do is simple really, I have two or three CD mixes of music I enjoy and know well. I primarily listen to these tracks over the course of days. At some point it becomes very clear what the differences are, I can actually tell what cord is currently playing. Being a busy middle aged married man with children a house and endless responsibilities I can wholeheartedly tell you that I can easily forget what darn cord is currently plugged into a particular component. At some point over time (days to a couple of weeks) I can perceiver the differences in the systems sound/presentation. I can then also fairly accurately recognize a particular cable, this aural memory isn’t permanent – actually it’s very short lived. I try to choose the one I like best, the one that pulled out the characters of the system I like best.
Sure, psychological issues do reside. “Wanting” one to be better or worse, or “Justifying” the money paid or “Needing” to prove a point one way or another can skew your perception but you must take that into consideration. I didn’t want to hear any differences; I had a really hard time believe that any wire could make a difference at any point in the system. And when it came to power cords I really though it was absurd. I discovered this was really not the case when I tried a couple of different cords that came with components in our studio (the company I work for use to own a post production studio). I listened to them compared to the stock cords and found that I heard a subtle difference that was consistent. I then bought, used, a ZuCable cord – their cheapest one they make and I paid less then it cost for a nice lunch out with the guys. I expected the differences to be as subtle as it was prior, less maybe since I assumed the cord that came with the $15,000 Sony deck was superior. The ZuCable sounded quite different; I was left somewhat awestruck and confused. Profound was my thought, profound!
I mentioned this to a friend who is into audio; his remarks were similar to many. How can there de ANY difference, its absurd!! He didn’t even want to try it, felt it was a waste of time. I gave him a hand full of inexpensive cords and told him to give it a try at some time when he had it to spare. A couple of weeks later he called with the same profound thoughts in his head – why and how can this be? He asked.
I have gotten the chance to listen to lots and lots of different cords. Some sound very similar, identical really (to me at least) and some sound very different. Some sound one way on one component and entirely different on another component. Some components don’t show much of a difference if any at all and some exhibit a big difference.
Some differences I’ve heard are as much as the differences I’ve heard between amps, even more so. Some amps just sound identical and they’re similar arguments that apply to amps ‘all sounding the same.’ Some differences in cords are insignificant others aren’t. And price is irreverent, that’s just a value someone puts on something and its up to you to agree if its reasonable or not. $5000 for a power cord is absurd to me but if I made 1.3 million dollars a year then it wouldn’t.
Trying to place scientific explanation for character is impossible, at least it is right now. Again, were talking about timing/rhythm, air and ambiance, transparency and other things that are almost impossible to measure or even prove exist. It’s more involved then that but for the sake of this conversation that about sums it up. Believe what you will but you can’t use science to determine the outcome, you also can’t use psychology. Try using your ears and a clear honest mind. And remember it’s not about determining $$ value or degree.
