Some hear a slight difference and others something more. With my Niagara 1200 things got calmer but bolder. Gone was the slight edge to notes along with some slight hash that I never noticed until it was gone. That allowed for greater contrast with notes being heard earlier than usual along with greater decay.
A darker background gave better separation and layering and all I use is a Cullen Cable mid level power cord. I've always wondered what stepping up to something like the AQ Blizzard would result in but I liked the improvements so much that I never bothered to try.
Sounds like you're hearing your gear the way it was intended to sound with the music and that without the conditioner, it was being somewhat homogenized with the veiling from the noise on the line. I could be wrong but from what you say you're hearing, I'd focus on the power cords you have, swapping until you like what you hear.
That, and I'd also try plugging your amp into one of the two high current outlets on the Niagara and see how that fares. I tried both the wall and the Niagara with my integrated and prefer having everything plugged into the Niagara.
All the best,
Nonoise