Power Cord Question

Darkeyes, for what its worth, you'll get the biggest bang for your buck with a good powercord, even more so than going to the next component upgrade.
I would recommend you trying the fusion line. Their entry level cord is the predator($550 retail)but you can get it for around $300-$350.
Go to their website www.audiosurroundings.com. The contact person is Eric Love, a very good person to deal with.
He will let you demo his cords, if you don't like you can send back and get your money. The only downside is it takes 150-200 hrs. to break-in.

i don't necessarily recommend it, but you can remove the ground prong and plug directly in without an adapter. check with manufacturer before doing this.

Eee3, I checked that website. That cable looks awesome. Oh, the name is Dark Keys, like on a piano haha

07-25-08: Darkkeys
Jea48 writes: Many manufactures of audio equipment are building their equipment this way. Because of potential ground loop hum problems manufactures are using double insulated AC power wiring instead of having to use the safety equipment grounding method.

With doubled insulated AC power wiring the metal case of the equipment is floating and does not need the use of the safety equipment ground. Jmho eventually all audio equipment will be built this way. ************

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Based on the above explanation is there any reason to go beyond the manufacturers specs by replacing the power cord with another companies power cord in the pursuit of better sound?

Yes..... Many manufactures seem to cut corners when it comes to the power cord. If you check the stock pc it should give you the wire size. Example 18/2, 16/2, maybe 14/2 awg. The first number, before the /, is the wire size number in awg. The number after the / is for the number of conductors within the cable.
I would be surprised if the Amp's pc is bigger than 16/2. (The lower the wire number size, the larger the conductor.
#14 awg is larger than #16 awg.)

When you tried the new aftermarket pcs I am not surprised they did not sound good right out of the box. As others have said you need to burn them in.

Something else, as a rule shielded pc cables will degrade the sound of a Power Amp. For an Amp a heavier wire gauge non shielded cable usually works best.

Shielded pc cables are better suited for digital equipment. The reason being they will reject EMI and RFI noise.
And that works both ways. Interring as well as exiting the digital equipment.

Power cords
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Jea48, Thanks again. Very informative and useful!