[R-390] Weird-ass power cord?

[Barry Hauser]

>I realize this is way off topic but....... what am I missing:   item 
>9724784942   Says he paid $349 for a power cord when new. Is this gold 
>wire, or is there any truth to this assertion? I know the audio crowd has 
>some expensive tastes but I feel this is so weird that I must be missing 
>something.
>
> dave

Maybe it's a power cord that doesn't have to actually be plugged in to 
provide power?  It's so efficient that the prongs pull in enough free 
ranging AC out of the air.  Uh-huh.

Don't laff -- Most of you probably forgot, but once upon a time before 9/11, 
Dubya did a talk about power and referred to "energy vampires" -- and he was 
referring to wall warts among other things.  The primaries are across the 
power line 24/7 and even when the appliance is not in use, some wattage is 
consumed.

A lot more things have gone over to wall warts for at least three reasons --  
they may the appliance smaller and lighter, maybe simplifies the 
international aspect of supplying power -- just different wall warts or the 
universal switching type -- AND, maybe biggest reason -- it takes the AC out 
of the appliance itself, so they don't need UL (et all) approval.

I think he was onto something -- but subsequent events blew all that away. 
The amount of energy wasted by a single wall wart is negligible - -but how 
many of them does the typical household have plugged in?

My apologies in advance -- $349 power cords have a tendency to destabilize 
my sensibilities.  Even if it did generate it's own power, you'd have to use 
it with your electric range or refrigerator to get your money's worth. 
Ooops -- forgot -- it's digital <sigh>

Barry