As a phenomenon in itself no it isn’t. Claiming though that I hear a difference with something when you (or whoever) doesn’t is because I’m suffering from expectation bias is complete and utter rubbish.
I found exactly the same when I tried one out of sheer curiosity. Same with some Audioquest cable lifters that I tried on my speaker cables. They certainly made a very noticeable difference - it sounded awful.
I’m very much a sceptic on most things hifi and have never really heard a difference in most things I’ve tried over the years. From mains conditioners to interconnects I’ve always felt flat and disappointed and never really heard anything that has given me the wow moment. That changed about three months ago when I bought an Ndac for the ND5XS2 having previously owned an Atom. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement but nothing prepared me for the addition of the XPSDR to the Ndac. I have now entered into a whole new world and (cliche incoming) am discovering my music all over again. Yesterday, and I never thought I’d ever say this, I was blown away by Sledgehammer of all songs. The layers, micro detail and bass authority has genuinely floored me. For the first time I’m feeling like I’m teetering on the edge of a very slippery slope but loving every second of it.
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Glad you’re enjoying it so much Andy, that’s what it’s all about. But when that bug bites, and you know when it’s happened, I’m afraid there’s no going back!
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Well it’s started to nibble Pete 
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AI will tell you whatever you want to hear if you phrase the question correctly! It can be used, without correct prompting, to affirm almost anything.
So, my go to AI disagrees with your two AI models. Or does it? 
AI models are like puppies, they want to please sooooo bad.
Asking a better question including the phrase “independently peer reviewed scientific studies” gives a different answer. So I assume you asked a more rigorous question!
It would be interesting to know the prompt.
Asking the below gives an interesting matrix, showing there ARE scientific studies confirming interconnects and speaker cables can influence SQ.
“Are there any verified scientific studies showing an improvement in sound quality of audio components by upgrading the mains power cable”
But no references for mains cables.
Having said all that, we own 5 powerlines and still think they were an excellent investment. Go figure
I can’t quite remember now, Iain. I think it was a similar prompt with a not totally-disimilar response.
Now, remember how all this kicked off - I said to Pete that I was astonished that he heard a “profound” difference. Nothing has changed. I still am.
Further, I was talking only about CD transports. I keep trying to makle that clear, but I’ll do so again.
In summary, then, I would be astonished if anyone could detect a profound difference having upgraded the power cord on a CD transport.
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I guess we have to put our hands up and say we use our NDX2 as a transport and have a Powerline on it 
Who cares whether there is a peer reviewed scientific study, it sounds good.
Don’t recall any Powerline making a profound difference on our system, all quite subtle. Tinkering at the edges once everything else optimised. I do remember it made a 250DR sing under load.
We added ferrites, there are posts on that somewhere. 
rabbit hole
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I guess we’re different - I would be astonished if anyone couldn’t detect a profound difference putting a Powerline on anything. Even on our Sony 4K TV it noticeably improves the on board sound system.
But IIRC I believe you said you’ve never tried one? Perhaps if you did you would indeed be astonished - or perhaps not. Over the years I’ve sometimes been sceptical about the possibility of some things making an improvement and I’ve usually been proven wrong to be. But it taught me that to listen for yourself is the only way to know. You certainly shouldn’t be swayed by other people’s opinions either way. I don’t know whether you would hear a profound difference with a Powerline on a CD transport and neither do you until you try it.
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Feel free to send me one over, Pete, and I’ll give it a go 
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Back in the day I had a HDX feeding an nDAC/555 with an SPDIF DC1 connector. The power line made substantial difference on the HDX. It made no sense!
I suspected the power line stops vibration getting into digital output and I suspect it reduced vibrations from the HDX being transferred to the nDAC. I had other boxes on the same frame stack as the HDX and maybe vibration was reduced on the whole frame.
Obviously some kit is much more affected than others. I had powerlines on all my naim boxes, but they didn’t make any difference to the standard ones that came with my other gear so Obviously sold them on.
But obviously they are designed for naim gear that Obviously needs the extra isolation that these are ment to bring.
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Well I can say that I am a physicist and I’m not humble! I recall the day many years ago when JV called me and asked me to drive down to the factory to help him out. Within 24 hours I had designed the Nait 1 for him. Pete, he said, Pete you are an electronics genius. And I couldn’t very well argue with him on account that he was telling the truth!
As sure as I’m flying this spacecraft…
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