DIY Power Cables Instead of Used


Good Day All,
     I'm hoping to gain from the benefit of your experiences comparing power cables, or your knowledge from extensive reading.  I'm leaning heavily toward DIY at this point, but am always open to overachieving reasonably priced new from authorized U.S. distribution or European channels.  Though I was originally very big on shopping mid to high end pre-owned power cables, I am no longer entertaining the used market for this purchase.
     I ask that you please share what your observations of a brand/model are, rather than just throw a brand name out and say you recommend it.  Any help you could provide is greatly appreciated.  I'm seeking to upgrade the power chords on all of my components and am already working on installing direct circuits from the service panel, with audio grade receptacles.
     Thanks ...

sfcfran
Most welcome and good luck. I’ve had good results with Belden 19364, and as it is 14 gauge, I would be reluctant to use it with high power amplifiers. 
@sfcfran If by DIY you actually mean attach plugs onto a piece of bulk power cable - then I agree with @elizabeth - there are many choices from cable vendors that will retain resale value and perofrm better

However, if you are willing to take DIY to a "higher level" take a look at the Helix Power Cable.
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-power-cable.html

It may look a little daunting, but it is pretty easy after the first one

Follow the "recipe" in the link and you will have a power cable that
"outperforms most others on the market!"
And those are not my words, but words from several people that have tried them.

Personally, I have compared them to cables up to $1500 and even had one person report that this power cable outperformed a Nordost cable he owned. He has since sold the Nordost cable

I have tried bulk cables from Furutech and DH Labs, but even braiding the conductors from a simple piece of Home Depot 12 guage extension cord outperofrms both of them - don’t believe me? I didn’t believe it either until I tried it.

The Helix Power Cable improves the resolution of any component, but the amount of improvement is not quite so apparent as the power supply of the component get larger and more sophiticated - i.e.
- improvements in large amps is initially not as noticeable
- whereas improvments in source components with smaller power supplies will reveal the biggest improvement

The latest word is - the Helix power cables even works on componentns that use DC power - that was a surpise.

Anyhow - got questions - ask away

Good luck with your quest - Steve


Hi Steve.   I recall bumping into a discussion on that quite some time ago, and being curious...perhaps 2 years ago.    I also recall seeing Elizabeth present instructions on that with great detail out here on other posts, also some time ago.  At those times I was not in the market, or much interested in power cords, as I was still in a revamp of my core components that, while very good in their own right, were a bit long in the tooth ... so I just kind of forgot about it! So yes,,,I'll go back and look.  Thanks!
>>> Rich
Post removed 
Steve, et all … I've now looked at the link Steve provided, and recall reading that exact post in the past, perhaps 2 years ago (?).  It is very much what I had in mind for DIY configuration, but not nearly as advanced as the detail provided there (just didn't remember all of that!)....now having the link saved, I will absolutely be giving that a go...its just too easy, and just too inexpensive to not try!  ... With the caveat, that I will of course have to do the same with a "quality" DIY cable from either Cardas, DHL, etc., for comparison, and a straight up chord from another company such as Furutech.  I do have the upside of building a secondary system in my basement out of my older equipment, where I can put, and have been putting, what I find not quite to my liking in my primary system.  I truly enjoy seeing the new heights I can take the old system too.  I will happily post my findings here, and perhaps as an additional thread.  Yes, its probably been done before, but it wouldn't hurt to 'unbury' the info with a refresh for newcomers to see....such as myself, with great thanks to Steve.