How good can it get, really? - my stereo sounds amazing!

If the EMI/RFI is already on the AC line, a power cord is not going to get rid of it unless it has passive elements (inductors, capacitors) to eliminate EMI .... and I would rather pay $1.00 for those than spend $1K plus to have someone put them in the cord.


The last 3 feet or first 3 feet is specious since it is part of a circuit, potentially from the transformer outside your house. We can likely ignore the other 500 miles. If you are using an isolation transformer, power conditioner, etc. then it could be considered the first and last 3 feet. Where grounding is concerned, you could also consider it the first and last 3 feet. And you could call it the first 3 feet is your audio product is generating EMI and you don't want it getting into anything near.


I am not sure calling it an extension of a transformer is a good idea. Should you be paying $1000+ to put an "extension" on 50+ feet of somewhat generic copper wire, that is part of magnetic circuit with limited bandwidth, hysteresis, etc?

I am always amazed as well. Amazed quite honestly at how awful most of the rooms sound. Most of the rooms are poster children for the need for proper room acoustic treatment. I know that is harsh, but I always get a kick out of the "Best Sound" awards ... of which the number seems to grow every year. How many "best" can you have?  

Check out an audio show like Axpona or one of the other regional shows to see how other systems sound. I am always amazed when I go.

You have system hardware that probably couldn't be improved enough to make the extra costs worth it.  On the other hand, playing around with the listening area may not even have to cost much to bring about significant improvements.  Once you know how to control the room, you can then, perhaps, profitably experiment with some hardware changes (remembering that speaker changes will require further analysis of the room).  Cartridges are a good place to start--they provide a much quicker education on differences in sound than other components.  If you can't hear a difference between cartridges, you probably won't hear differences between other components.  Of course, cartridges interact with arms in many ways, so you may find yourself experimenting with arms, as well.  Maybe it's better just to sit back and enjoy the music. 

@davegardner OP
I feel the same.
In all, I am very pleased with my system, in my space.
My little pair of Maggies, very well integrated with a ADS sub and driven by a Cronus Mag II and meticulously set up, in a well treated room, sounds incredible. Whether standing, sitting or laying down, when listening late evenings, at moderate levels - the timber, placement and air seems just right and stays focused where it belongs - on a large stage behind and beyond the plain of the speakers 
Even though there are one or two things I would like to upgrade, I’m not sure that the upgrades would be worth the cost, or if it would even make an improvement ....Jim
.

I have found my stereo sounds especially great after a bit of cannabis and a glass or two of wine. Even a modest system benefits from this tweak.