Can upgraded power cords help my setup?

@pennsy please repost with nasty bits removed : )

I am not sure how number of posts make a difference on the recommendations.  I was bored one Saturday morning and decided to try and add some helpful advice.  My background is in electrical and computer engineering with a career in biotech manufacturing automation (and instrumentation).

I agree with the poster about the cherry on top.  There are many things that can be done in speaker positioning and room treatment to better the sound before getting to power cable upgrades.

Also, I agree a PC could make a difference IF preceded by a power conditioner and if shielded (with the shield grounded on one end only).

Also, I do not see how someone could argue against  noise reduction techniques used by instrumentation engineers (airplane, medical, defense).

Finally (since I can not post a picture here).  Check out the second interior shot of this $14K Italian Agua HIFI Formula DAC review on 6moons.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews2/aqua2/2.html

Have a look in the upper left hand side of the picture.  There you will see a fat woven  Sablon Audio Petit Corona power cords   (at ~$130/ft (however, in this case at least they are hooked up to a power conditioner - Granada/Alhambra) which should validate at least one of my suggestions)) then what does that fancy expensive power cable plug into?  A IEC connector... what is on the other side of the connector? 18 gauge wire connected to the IEC backside flat shaped prong connectors?  SLIDE ONs? Not even soldered?  Good thing you bought that mega buck power cable.  <sarcasm>I bet those electrons get really mad after traveling on the lap of luxury on the fat power cable, then being made to stuff themselves down through tiny off the shelf 18 gauge power wires and also having to jump through the small gaps made by the SLIP ON connectors. <sarcasm/off> LOL!

All I am really trying to say is yes, enjoy your audio, it is a rewarding hobby.  However, just be smart about where you spend your hard earned $$$.  If you really want to learn and tweak without speeding your life's savings on opinions and reviews. Have  a look at DIYaudio forums and kit equipment.  You will learn how to quickly (and fairly cheaply though ... capacitors can get pricey) make your own equipment that rivals or exceeds many mega buck store bought stuff and be able to test which upgrades really make a difference.  Granted this can be a much larger time investment.   Transcendent Sound is a good kit maker.  There are many others.

sometimes it seems that audiogon cable threads are the last place in our society where people are outraged that manufacturers charge excessive prices,  and that strangers might pay too much money for items that may not even need...

dynaquest4,
Did you get this site mixed up with the Home Depot forum. The people on that site probably have as much interest in upgrading power cords going to their appliances as you do upgrading the wire going into your audio system. Just think of the impact you could have on that site!

Core power technologies which make excellent transformer 
Cables or whole system 1200 watt,and 1800 watt much better value ,they sell a Excellent just power cord. 
Cullen  I think makes then.  CULLEN WHICH WAS or still is associated with Wyred 4 sound cullen has a $199 csble 
Under A.C. cables on Audiogon that will beat cables several times this including Shunyata venom 3 . With a 30 day money back trial
Even the $99 very good and solid Copper connectors that alone is key under conductive index the standard connectors brass 
Are 4x Less conductive a contact then Copper. Progold,, messy silver paste NG compared. A.c. connector, and preamp tube pins ok
As ling as it doesnot get to hot like a 211 tube or power tubes.
You should treat your connectors,and let then dry an hour first 
With the bedt product and used by NASA. Stabilant -22. I use on every contact in my System last for years and enhances the electrical conductivity I have tried then all. There WAS something called tweak that was out but was a 8-1 mix nowhere nears as good.. The 22 at the end just jeans cut4-1 with alcohol. I use just Stabilant, straight thin coat. 
All connections clean hood with 99% Isopropyl slcohol.it evaporates clean and Fast. Check it out.