Are manufacturer AC cables good enough?

I challenge all to a blindfolded side by side test. I guarantee not 1 can pick the aftermarket AC cable from the factory cable.  Let the games begin. 

PLACEBO EFFECT:  The more you spend, the better it sounds.  We trust the designers and manufacturers to make really good equipment.  Would they really sell something as cheap to make as a power cord if it made their great design sound worse?  It takes three months to break in.  NO!  It takes as long as three months for your credit card to automatically refuse a refund.  Dealers like profit and reason for you to keep visiting.   An expensive power cord is about as effective as the Scotch Guard on my Tacoma seats that I was charged for.  The unused can of Scotch Guard was in a storage compartment, to be found months later.  If an amp has a crappy power cord, what other cheapness is in the unit?

My impression is that the folks at Ayre listen to and test their products very carefully.  My one interaction with Charles Hansen convinced me he did.  Ayre manuals recommend balanced rather than single-ended connections and often give other guidance about what they consider best practice, but nowhere in one of their manuals have I come across a recommendation to try another power cord.  I think I answered my original question, but I'll try the AC3s with the preamp and amp just to be a good empiricist.

No doubt there are many of you who have decided that throwing money at a power cord is a necessity. I almost did the same...almost. I was later told (by someone in Binghamton) that McIntosh power cables are specifically designed/included with their gear and that there is no need for aftermarket. I was advised to use the money for more music or other components. I took the advice.No Kool Aid here.

I wonder how many of the nay sayers who claim power cables do not make a difference have even tried upgraded PC's?  To me, they either have not tried or can not hear.  And it is usually them who cite science to explain away any possible benefit.  I certainly did not want to hear the difference I did, it would have saved me money.  I did try and I did hear...and not subtly.  I have dedicated 20 amp lines, and upgraded outlets.  I still heard better music with better cables.  Maybe audio manufacturers should take the approach of auto companies.  They could sell a DX model, a GX, and a GXL.  The base model would have cheap cords, cheap feet, less expensive connectors and a dull faceplate.  The GXL would come with vibration absorbing feet, better connectors, a nicer faceplate and a metal vs plastic remote.  Then everyone could be happy!  Certainly folks who drive eco model cars think they are just as good as the nicer version, and don't appreciate the grippy tires, added horsepower, bigger brakes and navigation!