Which is more important - Interconnects or PCs?

Speaker cables, interconnects, then power cables.

"Is $5000 powercord really necessary?" Of course not, unless you really enjoy being someone's fool. If it were the case that dedicated lines cost this much (instead of 1/10th, as they do) I would be willing to say yes. The difference in this respect is indeed dramatic. But power cords - no way.

Interconnects and speaker cables, that is a different story. These have made a big difference for me. But there is no exact relationship price and quality of match in a given system. It is still easy to be a fool unless you know your own mind and trust your own ears. And personally, I would never spend anything close to $5k on a single cable or wire.

I'd would agree with Rd. I would only add digital coaxial cables after the power cables. So:

Speaker wire > interconnects > power cables > digital coaxial cable

Newmanoc - I have never imagine dropping $5000 on a powercord but somebody did - I just don't see it. Unless someone get it direct from the factory for 1/5th the suggested retail price - otherwise it would not be available here on Audiogon for a fraction.

Since my pcs have built-in line conditioners, I'll address your question accordingly.

There is one aspect about some to many ics and scs that might give their significance the edge over proper line conditioning. That is the time-smear affect that seems so common in ics and scs. It's a pretty vast improvement once the time-smear has been minimized or eliminated.

Most would probably disagree with me, but aside from the time-smear factor, I think both are about equal in significance.

If the line conditioner is doing its job, then one should more easily hear the significant gains of well-engineered ics and scs.

If the ics and scs are doing their job, then one should more easily appreciate the signifianct gains of well-engineered line conditioners.

But, then again, this philosophy works equally well toward every other component in a given system just as well.

No component is an island!!! Except perhaps the amplifier :)

-IMO