[RFI] AC Line Cord Errata

[Don Allen]

A poster several days ago commented on the excessive prices of AC line 
conditioners used in the high-end hi-fi or "audiophile" industry.  That 
industry, and hobby, has been rife with snake-oil salesmen for many 
years.  I just got back into two-channel stereo after a twenty year 
hiatus.  If anything, it is worse now than before.

For example, in the March 2004 issue of Hi-Fi Choice magazine (a UK 
publication) there is a Product Review test on a Nordost Valhalla 
Reference AC line cord (of course, called a Mains Cable in the UK).  As 
usual, they comment on how the this line cord improves the overall 
sound, imaging, detail, and transparency of the sound.  I won't make any 
comments here, but you all know where I may be going with this . . .

But, here is the kicker:  the price.  1,750.00 Pounds Sterling for a 2 
meter long AC line cord with correct terminations at both ends!!  And, 
yes, that is not a typo . . . one thousand seven hundred and fifty Pounds.

I don't know what the current exchange rate is between Pounds and USD, 
but this is truly amazing.  I think we are "all" in the wrong business!!

Remember Dennis Had, founder of DenTron of Twinsburg, OH back in the 
late '70s and early '80s.  He switched into the high-end hi-fi business 
with Cary Designs of Cary, NC once DenTron went out of business..  
Chromed chassis mono-block amps (all tube) with 6550/KT-88 outputs for 
$5K to $7K a piece.  If Ten-Tec and other ham manufacturers are looking 
for new markets, the high-end audio market, unlike the ham market, has 
astronomical profit margins.

Food for thought . . .

73,
Don Allen W9CW