Ching Cheng Power Cords

That said cables IMO should be the last tweak done to a system once you've settled on the best you can afford.

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Thanks, that is exactly the point, and the tact that I'm currently pursuing. Go with something sufficient until the equipment is all settled down, and then when there's extra money and you need something to play with, experiment with cables.

And yes, I knew that I'd get the above arguments... clearly amp manufactures can't afford to also include exotic cords, but they're also motivated to ensure that what you open up out of the box sounds sufficiently good so that you don't regret the purchase.

Anyway, thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. I'll come back to the thread and do some experimentation next time dropping $300-400 doesn't feel like it's taking a chunk out of the monthly income (unfortunately I have mono-blocks).

Just thought I'd mention "The Absolute Power Cord Mk II" that GTT Audio & Video sells. I believe it's 8' long and sells for $45 plus shipping. I own some of the original ones that I purchased years ago and they were a lot of bang for the buck. I sent them out to be cryogenically treated, which improved them even more so after break in.
I don't know if these power cords are still available but if they are and a person wants to save some money and upgrade a stock power cord it is something to consider.

FYI:
I just found out the Absolute Power Cord MkII is no longer available. GTT said it will be replaced by the Absolut Power Cork MK III sometime in the future.

The article by Blue Jean Cables, featured on Audiohilics, is a good example of persuasive marketing that serves their interests. Blue Jeans--not fancy but comfortable and affordable--as the name implies, Blue Jeans Cable appeals to the buyer who wants something that appears to be good but is not expensive. This is their target audience--the guy who wants good sound but is on a limited budget. BJC caters to this person--it's why they exist and sell what they sell. The cable is designed for the market share first, much like the ant-icable angle. They happen to not feature power cords. Ok, good---now, the best way to direct someone's spending decision is to steer them away from things they don't make. Why stress the importance of a cable they don't make? Better to influence their limited spending toward what they do make, better to marginalize the PC as an item of unimportance.
This reminds me of the guy who sells DACs to the budget-minded listener but not CD players, so he sez any player that tracks the disc will do--bits are bits--it's either right or wrong, don't worry about it. While everyone else is talking about vibration, noise, and jitter, none of these things exist in his world--because he doesn't sell that part of the system.
So here's BJC saying you are really hearing the differences in power cords you think you are hearing, but those differences don't really objectively exist--they are an artifact of your psyche, of your mood and emotions, as if to say, "How have you been feeling lately? Things ok at home? Pressure at work getting to you? Maybe see your doctor for a referral--sometimes just talking things out helps set you straight again. Yeah, there ya go."

Cal3713, if you are just beginning on the tangled, slippery path of audio cables, tread carefully. You are right to spend less at first--until you settle on a viewpoint, a belief about the importance of all of your cables. If you decide they are important, get some better, used cables rather than cheapies. And please---stay away from BJ and anti-XX glorified coat hangers. There is a lack of credibility there, IMO.