Are manufacturer AC cables good enough?

@millercarbon " Power cords are included as a courtesy, just like patch cords. You aren't meant to actually use them. They are meant to stay wrapped in the plastic bag in the box to be passed along with the owner's manual to the next guy."

Excellent! True. I got quite a laugh at that line.

this thread is a good example of why it would make no sense to include a high quality power cord: everyone wants something different, and wants to choose their own cord, connectors, length, maybe build it themselves, and the non believers are happy with any included cord...

I started thinking - what other industry companies include required parts to make an item run and then turn around and blatantly tell you not to use them because they’re crap? Power cords have to be at least good enough so they don’t catch fire if you use them, so that sets the bar at a certain level. I’ve used my Klein Tools voltage tester on my Pangea cords and get no reading, but on the stock cords I do, so is that any indication of a better performing cord?  I don't know.  Here’s the kicker: my Power Plant itself gives a reading as well because of the vents, so does that make the cord "performance" a moot point?
A second point is, as a company selling high end equipment, would you sweat the details of creating a quality product and then include a power cord that would degrade the performance of your product?  No matter how much exotic companies want you to believe, you don't need expensive materials or pixie dust to make a well performing cord, so why would you chance a lot of returns or bad reviews because you cheaped out on the cord.

bikerbw

I started thinking ...

Good idea!

... what other industry companies include required parts to make an item run and then turn around and blatantly tell you not to use them because they’re crap?

None. The audio industry doesn't do this, either. If you're aware of any manufacturer who suggests its power cords are crap, will you please cite a reference?

My experience aligns with Tante—the better the power supply design the less important the power cable. I found this out trying different cords with my LTA Ultralinear. It sounded just as awesome with the stock cord as several megabuck cords. David Berning began his work as a power supply designer and his are some of the best in the business.