A $1,000 power cable?!

[X8X]

LOL. I've got power cables for my amps that date back to the early 1990's.

This is pure silliness, Steve. What science sits behind these claims? Here's what I could find out about oxidation and copper. See, there's an actual chemical reaction as there is with most oxygen, so there would be actual visible proof of your claims if they were real.

So, how much copper oxide should we look for before a cable is ruined? And how exactly does this complex rigamarole of a bunch of stuff prevent oxidation? How could we measure that?

He was being sarcastic, but he wasn't far off from some of the advertisements that those companies use

This is taken from the Alpha Helix cable link in the first page:

PowerSnakes Anaconda Alpha Helix is Shunyata Research’s ultimate High-Current power cord. Outfitted with Shunyata’s patented matrix conductors, the Alpha allows amplifiers, pre-amps and analog components to express timing and dynamic signatures in music and sound with unlimited scale and power-packed momentum. From the smallest micro-dynamic shift to the largest orchestral climax, the Anaconda Alpha Helix delivers an unmatched combination of transparency, dimension and authority.

I haven't got the slightest clue of what that phrase means

 

[SactoBass]

Hey guys, let me save you some time. I went over to my local Guitar Center asking for one of these power cables. (I decided it was time to upgrade my $750 power cable to one with better tone.)

To my utter shock and disappointment, they were out of stock and they said none of their stores anywhere have any remaining in stock! Apparently the popularity of these $1000 power cables are making it difficult for stores to maintain stock. The guy at the front counter said that their first shipment "flew off the shelves" within two hours of them getting them in.

 

[Major Softie]

Over time, copper wire absorbs oxygen, so all copper wire (cords, wires in amps, voice coil wire in speakers, wire in pickups) should be replaced and old wire disgarded. Do not recycle it, as it will only contaminate new, oxygen free copper.

A high end cable should last a good 5 years, which is many times longer than a garden variety IEC cable will.

Congratulations, Steve. Some seem to have completely accepted your post as serious.

Kudos!

 

[SactoBass]

I haven't got the slightest clue of what that phrase means

I don't either, but I'm sure it's "really something special"

 

[SactoBass]

Congratulations, Steve. As people discuss whether or not George's post was satire or not, some seem to have completely accepted your post as serious.

Kudos!

I think that's what I find even funnier than the cable itself!

 

[Major Softie]

PowerSnakes Anaconda Alpha Helix is Shunyata Research’s ultimate High-Current power cord. Outfitted with Shunyata’s patented matrix conductors, the Alpha allows amplifiers, pre-amps and analog components to express timing and dynamic signatures in music and sound with unlimited scale and power-packed momentum. From the smallest micro-dynamic shift to the largest orchestral climax, the Anaconda Alpha Helix delivers an unmatched combination of transparency, dimension and authority.

I haven't got the slightest clue of what that phrase means

So, does that mean you can explain what it means that the Anaconda Alpha Helix delivers unmatched "authority?"

 

[BurningSkies]

I combined the use of two of these cables (preamp and poweramp) but found the advice of Dr. Belt in reference to using a 'reef knot' to improve the quality of my tone.

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Please don't discount the other advice offered on his page though, I have found them all advantageous to my sound. If you're feeling spendy, I recommend the use of his "One Drop Fluid", which is particularly useful for anyone playing reggae.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[SactoBass]

I combined the use of two of these cables (preamp and poweramp) but found the advice of Dr. Belt in reference to using a 'reef knot' to improve the quality of my tone.

Invalid Link Removed

Please don't discount the other advice offered on his page though, I have found them all advantageous to my sound. If you're feeling spendy, I recommend the use of his "One Drop Fluid", which is particularly useful for anyone playing reggae.

Invalid Link Removed

Yeah, I saw that reef knot. I'm thinkin about trying that to tame the mids when playing my Fender Jazz.

Don't bother with the One Drop Liquid. I tried that on my power cable during a gig last month, and I creased two cones in my cab from the extended low end. USE SPARINGLY!!!

 

[Baird6869]

Hey guys, let me save you some time. I went over to my local Guitar Center asking for one of these power cables. (I decided it was time to upgrade my $750 power cable to one with better tone.)

To my utter shock and disappointment, they were out of stock and they said none of their stores anywhere have any remaining in stock! Apparently the popularity of these $1000 power cables are making it difficult for stores to maintain stock. The guy at the front counter said that their first shipment "flew off the shelves" within two hours of them getting them in.

Dude, keep up with the cord love thread.... $1000 is for a USED one!!! A new one is $2000!!

 

[Baird6869]

Hey, serious question.... does the cable come with a display case or something like a power cord humidor? Leather Chanel case?

Also, I would only buy one now (actually 2... i have 2 amps and require absolute tonal consistency) if they also made speaker cables and instrument cables. No point having a nice $2000 power cable without nice $500+ guitar and speaker cables.... And $100 patch cables between my effects. So about $5000 worth of cables to make me still suck, but sound the same. Write it up!!!!!

 

[MVE]

I just got one of these cables and WOW!!
It totally made me play better.
I was having trouble remembering the chord progressions to a few different songs. It was really a concentration thing, my mind kept wandering daydreaming about how I was going to spend the $1000.00 that was just burning a hole in my pocket.
Now that I have a genuine Shunyata, problem solved!!!
I would recommend this to anyone.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Congratulations, Steve. Some seem to have completely accepted your post as serious.

Kudos!

Poe's law in action.

 

[BurningSkies]

Poe's law in action.

I hate to mention him by name. Poeing is one of my favorite passtimes.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I support this clever attempt to redistribute excessively hoarded wealth from the 1% back into the economy.

"Smithers, get me the best audio system money can buy!"

 

[seamonkey]

I tried one. I couldn't hear a difference. So I called the manufacturer. They suggested I stare at the cable when I plug it in. Turns out that you need to see it plugged in or it doesn't work. Tried that but my lying ears still couldn't tell a difference. The manufacturer suggested that it could possessed by demons. Sounded as plausible as anything, who am I going to believe my lying ears or demons?

So I called in an exorcist from Craig's list. All the ebay exorcists were busy with guitar cables. The exorcist came out and lot's of chanting and smokey stuff, really thick smokey stuff, and sure enough the magic from this cable started working. I could actually see dancing lights emanating from the cable as I played. It could have been demons were gone, or maybe scientifically the smoke cut off the oxygen to the copper in the cable and let it magically work? Scientifically knowledgeable on TB would know which one of these answers was the scientific answer. Me? I was just happy it worked. So happy that I was just happy in general. Happy Happy.

A couple of days later all the smoke cleared and again I couldn't hear a difference. It's like the demons came back. Somehow the smoke also clouded my memory, but never my hearing of course. Seems I forgot to pay the exorcist. Now I understand Gram's saying about "Remember to pay your exorcist or you'll get repossessed!"

 

[David Jayne]

Lol!!!!/\

 

[Steve Dallman]

Now, was I guilty of using Poe's Law, or were the people who responded to my post(s) using Poe's Law?

This thread was certainly enlightening. I have enjoyed it immensely. But what's next? My creel is full.

 

[Nev375]

Laugh all you want, but you got to look at things from an electrons point of view. I mean all those dozens of miles travelling from the power plant through decades year old copper wire and sleazy power substations. Why that would sap the energy out of anyone.

But when those precious electrons finally enter your house and travel all the way through your breakers, walls and then they turn the corner at the outlet box and see this 6 foot stretch of cable? Why, they will think they finally made it to the promised land! Those final 6 feet after miles and miles of torture will be like a parade walk through heaven to those electrons. Why they will perk right up, swelling with pride and renewed vigor to do their final duty in the electronic device you have prepared for them.

Don't be short sighted people. Think about the big picture. Think about the electrons.

 

[nashvillebill]

Now, was I guilty of using Poe's Law, or were the people who responded to my post(s) using Poe's Law?

This thread was certainly enlightening. I have enjoyed it immensely. But what's next? My creel is full.

I'm sorry if I missed out on your post as being sarcastic. Over on the audio forum I hang out at, there are people who are dead serious about some pretty bizarre stuff.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I'm sorry if I missed out on your post as being sarcastic. Over on the audio forum I hang out at, there are people who are dead serious about some pretty bizarre stuff.

Same here.