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Question
Will I experience the same as the people who have written to you have?
Answer
Hopefully yes, but I've really no idea. The point being that if any retailer, maker or reviewer claims that they can predict or indeed guarantee that a user will always achieve a consistent and noticeable improvement by using their power cords, well they probably lie about other things too.
That's why I offer my 28-day buy-without-risk / Sale-or-Return facility.
If any Cassiel power cord doesn't meet your requirements – for any reason whatsoever – return it and get a 100% VAT-inclusive refund. No questions asked. None.
Question
Did the suppliers claim anything special?
Answer
No – simply because I'm not interested in claims. I made it clear that if their prototypes and production samples made an improvement in line with the eventual retail cost, then I'd place the orders.
My ethos is this; if the product can't be demonstrated to make an improvement, then it just isn't worth it. There's too much hype and both inadvertent and deliberate deceit in this industry. I'm not going to contribute to any of that.
Question
Howard, do you and/or the makers have any idea why these differences occur?
Answer
I have no theories whatsoever. To me, it's simple in that either the chosen power cord makes an improvement or it doesn't. That's the ONLY aspect that matters. Everything else – which frankly is more theory than practice – is at best merely nice-to-know and at worst, a distraction. However . . .
What I can tell you is that in my room with all my STAX demonstration equipment (I resigned the STAX agency in February 2007) and with my attitude, listening tastes and aspirations, the changes seem to relate predominantly to the quality of the IEC terminations. The cord and 13amp plugs on CAS2, CAS3 & CAS4 are identical. Only the IEC terminations vary. On the face of it then, it's the IEC connector that's making the difference. Admittedly I find this very hard to believe. However, despite my scepticism, this seems to be the case.
Question
Considering what these Cassiel power cords can do to improve the sound, why are they so inexpensive?
Answer
I'm not greedy. I make a decent but not obscene profit margin. I'm content with that.
Question
Are Cassiel power cords likely to be reviewed?
Answer
No, most unlikely. There's no point really. What the reviewer obtains is his/her situation is absolutely no guarantee and in my experience little indication of what will or might happen in your system. Reviewers don't offer refunds! I do!
So – bearing in mind the Buy-without-risk / Sale-or-Return facility, you can be your own reviewer. If there's no improvement with a Cassiel power cord, just return it in good order. You money will be refunded in full. No questions asked.
Question
Who are Cassiel?
Answer
Cassiel is the trading name for my two power cord suppliers. One of these suppliers, the one that supplied the CAS1 is unknown in the audiophile world and has no desire to become known. They are content with their business in the medical equipment field. The other supplier, the one that produces CAS2, CAS3 & CAS4 are a very well known – globally respected – power cord maker who for complex commercial and marketing reasons prefer to remain anonymous in this situation.
Question
Are Cassiel likely to build interconnects?
Answer
Possibly.
Question
Is there a break-in period?
Answer
Well, sort of 'yes' and sort of 'no'. Each of the four Cassiel power cords make, in my demo systems and those of my customers, a noticeable worthwhile improvement straight out of the box. However in long-term experiments here, and again borne out by reports from users, shows none of the four produce a sound that's anymore satisfying after 200 hours (or so) than they did at around 100 hours of use.
Question
Can Cassiel power cords be purchased anywhere else?
Answer
No. This is because by selling direct, I can keep the price down by avoiding the dealer margin. Also it is highly unlikely that any conventional audiophile retailer would agree to offering a money back guarantee. The traditional dealer mentality is to offer credit notes. It's not a practice I approve of.
Question
Are Cassiel power cords available for export?
Answer
Yes, but please bear in mind that even the 1.0m cords are heavy. Carriage to non-UK destinations, which is always quoted beforehand might make the purchase unattractive.