Why Expensive power Cables when Romex behind Wall?

Systems reproduce upstream content using upstream power sources (except some battery powered phono pre-amps). In that regard we spend ridiculous amounts of money. But our systems are (hopefully) designed to do the best job possible with the presented content and power source. So we spend our money to minimize changing, or losing, the content and to doing the best it can using the power available. But I'm in the camp which says that with my upmarket equipment the equipment designers have designed their equipment based on the known vagries of the power source (one of the design decisions requires overspec-ed transformers for example). So what the hell. Let the equipment do the job it's designed to do.

Having said that I've upgraded my PCs ! Just in case. If nothing else I get a better connection to the romex. Sad really.

I always thought hospital grade just meant that it was designed not to produce any arcing when a plug is placed into the receptacle because of flammable gases that could be present in a hospital room?

Guys, if installing a supposedly high-quality power cord is actually producing audible differences in your system, then the power cord is not just passing the power without further distortion -- it's changing something. If your electric power supply is so bad that it needs to be filtered, then a power cord is NOT the way to achieve that objective -- you need a power regeneration system, such as those made by Richard Gray, PS Audio, Monster, etc. After you get the regenerator, THEN go for the good quality power cord.

(For the record, I also have high-quality power cords installed on most of my gear. These cords are probably the only "tweak" I've acquired that provided very little -- if any -- improvement in my system.)

Sdcampbell... Now that you are accustomed to your system's sound; ALL AT ONCE without listening; replace all of your cords with the typical black 18awg cords that come with most gear and computers. Then play your favorite most listened to recording. Does it really sound the same?? If you replaced the cords over a long period one at a time, you may not have noticed any change, since it was gradual.

Sdcampbell, being an Audiogon member that has always read your posts during the last two years ( I began in 1999), I am surprised by your comments.

You built your system with quality audiophile gear and yet you report that power cords provide very little if any improvement in your system.

This completely baffles me, as my results are so opposite from yours. You may have read about the extremes I have gone to make my electrical system the best it can be. Including but not limited to: Private transformer, 220 Volt three phase electrical drop, 750 Amp commercial bypass meter box, 16 dedicated runs exclusive to the stereo, separation of phase between digital and analog, and dedicated 12 gauge copper star grounding for each component.

With all this work, I cannot imagine music without a high quality power cord. I choose Purist Dominus power cords for my system, and the effect is so drastic, that an entire room of people laugh out loud when a stock cord is substituted. The difference is literally that big.

Do I remember you live outside of the USA? Maybe that is part of our different results.