Cleop, you points are clear. I have tried different power cables and declined to buy. They were different but not better.

I shared my experience with the same power products that you mention. I spent nearly 6 months testing.

I value other’s opinions but I think it is a bit to easy if we say that it is all just “differences” as if there is zero chance that we could ever find consensus on what was “better”.

I would be very surprised that if anyone here identified a better sound-stage and placement, better separation around the finer details on the music etc. and concluded that it was “just different”.

If we were deciding on the colour of paint for the wall I would absolutely say they are all different and all are just a matter of taste and opinion.

A 206, 506, 598, 808, all sound different but there is general consensus of which is better.

If we are focusing in on specific aspects of system performance then it must be reasonable to qualify that performance. E.g. the bass is better defined in scenario X vs Y, the treble has better decay, etc.

You can of course still have a preference but not all results are born equal.

Different and better (or worse) can co-exist.

Also, it does often seem that the views can be extreme on either side of the debate i.e.:

- I agree with the science therefore the difference ‘must be better’ (when it might not or I spent the money so it has to be better or I am stupid).

- I disagree, the science is BS, therefore it is just difference and cannot be “better”. Anyone than thinks so is deluded (even though I have never even heard the equipment in question and never will on principal. It is all snakeoil).

This often why debates collapse.

Rgds,
Nick