Thanks, so if there are TWO AQ cables, with exact same construction, but the more expensive comes with Battery pack, then one should get the other one, I conclude. So, why would one pick Vodka HDMI over the Coffee as it’s much lower priced?! Then wouldn’t it be better fit for PS Audio to pick the cheaper option?
How will you impress your friends if you don’t have the battery thingy?
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Interesting tidbit on the AudioQuest batteries … I was told the patent for the battery bias is held by Bill Low of AudioQuest and Richard Vandersteen (I haven’t verified this, but would if I had the patent number). AudioQuest uses it to bias the shield of the cables and Vandersteen uses it to bias the capacitors in the crossovers and the high pass filters used with Quattro series, 5 series, and 7 series (some folks use the filters with his subwoofers too). AudioQuest uses an unusual battery in an easily replaced holder and Vandersteen uses a standard 9 Volt battery that has to be soldered in place. Soldering the battery is a real pain and it is easy to ruin the battery as I know from experience. Richard strongly believes in the battery bias, but I was tempted to try it without batteries after I ruined several lithium batteries and several more alkaline batteries. I forced him to tell me the secret to soldering last year at AXPONA and I was finally able to do it. Vandersteen says the alkaline batteries will last 7 years and the Lithium are supposed to last 10 years. Funny thing is the alkaline batteries have an expiration date at most 5 years out, and that took some looking to find. The Lithium do have a 10 year shelf life. I believe AudioQuest says 7-10 year life, but I couldn’t find it on their website.
Just in case anyone is wondering “did the new batteries make a difference?”. The short answer is “yes”, the long answer is “it’s complicated”. The speakers had not been used for over a year (I got a new cat that forced me to cover them up for their own good while she figured out what to do with those sharp things on her feet) so my aural memory was, uh, not so good, but they sure did sound great. I also got some new AudioQuest Oak speaker cables which were an improvement over the Goertz cables I was using. Further, the previous owner who replaced the batteries just before I bought them was not a good solderer so who knows if the batteries were even functional …
So, Paul is the battery pack and its function a theoretical truth (which I can certainly believe) but a practical or functional non-factor when it comes to sonic benefits? It is not uncommon to have theoretical merit but not provide measurable benefit.
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I believe it is this patent https://patents.google.com/patent/US7872195B1
It wasn’t until you mentioned this I recalled many years back…
discussing cables with the Vandersteen dealer they were pushing the DBS series pretty hard because of the Vandersteen connection. I was unaware that Vandersteen was using this in their crossovers. Appreciate the note.
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Somewhat less medicated now. A quick scan through the patent suggests this is as above, a way if shifting the charge across the cable dialectric so it is constantly in one " direction" with the audio signal superimposed on top, thereby avoiding the “zero crossing” of having to reverse the charge direction with the signal. The lower the source impedance the less of an effect this would have, so if this has an audible effect at all i would expect it to be more noticeable with amplifiers with a low damping factor e.g. valve.
More likely to have an effect in a passive speaker crossover, which is where I have come across it before, though in that case the bias was applied across the capacitors directly, where this is talking about using a third wire for one half of the bias potential. Could be mocked up with some 3 core mains cable for a quick and dirty test 
Also the patent description seems to confuse AC and DC - AC signal can never fully charge a cable’s capacitance since it is constantly reversing.
Hope you are feeling better Sir!
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Thankyou, yes, somewhat better (and better slept) today 
Sinus infections are a bugger, but it could be a lot worse in these times.
I’d be very interested to hear of any other folks coming across biased capacitors in passive crossovers, I’m far less convinced of the actual benefit with cables, even though the theory behind it does hold some water, but it would be interesting to hear from any valve amp users who have tried them with their lower damping factor / higher output impedance.
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I can’t say. I’ve heard the arguments in favor of an active dielectric with directionality and people I respect swear by its value.
I just cannot hear the difference when on or off.
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Thanks Paul!
Paul, maybe your system just isn’t resolving enHaHAhAhAhA OK, sorry, couldn’t keep a straight face trying to tell Paul his system isn’t resolving enough. Happy Monday everyone! Stay well and find time to listen to something new.
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Yeah, that’s the trouble with cheap systems
Does this mean we can trade in cable for purchase of PSA gears? At least AQ cable for their full retail value?
Are all of Audioquest cables cryo-treated?
I don’t think AudioQuest cryo treats or has ever cryo-treated any of their cables but MusicDirect was selling some AudioQuest cables that they would “cryo acoustic treat” in-house before shipping to the customer. I have no idea of the value of this process, but, here’s their sales pitch for anyone that may be interested.
https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/AudioQuest-Blizzard-Power-Cable-CRYO-15A
Why wasn’t Iconoclast chosen as a partner?
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I guess its because it possibly just covers the Stellar level.
My guess is that Audioquest can supply a full range offering worldwide.
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In my perception the global aspect doesn’t play that big role for PSA and there were either other priorities or it was an easier, more spontaneous and relationship based decision than one might think.
Also, the minute you drive out of a dealership the vehicle has heavily depreciated.
Most audio equipment has the same issue. Before I spend $21k I will buy a bottle of Romanee Conti and let it appreciate.