What are 6 feet going to do for me?

Changing power cords on my Hydra-- from a dedicated circuit, no less-- makes an enormous difference to the overall sound of the system. Replacing the stock cord with an Elrod EPS 3 totally changed the sound of the system, other power cords and all. Now, to my surprise, I prefered the stock cord... but the senses tell what the senses tell. So, yes, it can make a stunning difference. Whether you like that difference is up to you.

The Stealth helps your other equipment sound better. Using a different power cord on the Stealth will probably make the entire system sound like it got an injection of steroids at the highest dose possible! Additional power cords to your other equipment will probably continue to improve dependent on the power cords you select and how they interact with your equipment.

Using a power conditioner does not relegate the need for a low-inductance cord to the component. The issue here is inductance. Cheaper cords have higher inductance. Here is why inductance is important:

Amplifiers demand current from the power-line when the capacitors in their power-supplies become momentarily discharged due to high-current transients in the music signal. This discharge condition must be quickly recharged from the power-source, through the power-supply transformer, or a voltage sag will occur. Such voltage sags can cause audible distortion at the loudspeakers. If the power-source has significant series inductance in series, this can prevent the capacitor bank from recharging in time to prevent a voltage sag from occurring at the amplifier output transistors. With a low-inductance cable, the voltage drop across the cable will be insignificant during high-current transients, minimizing the voltage sag. This allows all of the current needed by the output transistors to be supplied when they need it, resulting in fast, dynamic response to transient signals.

Now spending $6K for a 6 foot power cord is a bit much. I would think that you can get to the point of diminishing returns for under $1K.

Audioengr, nice explanation. Two quick questions: 1) Would larger/more capacitors negate the need for a low inductance cord (i.e., is there a substitution effect?) and 2) Are shorter cords better than longer cords since the inductance would decrease? Thanks.

Speaking of inductance: This is to you Audioengr. Since you say that cheaper cords have higher inductance then the more expensive ones: Is it possible, however, to find a $200 cord with the same inductance as one for $1000. Is there a way to know what the exact inductance rating, (if there is such a thing), is? If so, is there, then, any other reason to get the $1,000 over the $200 one given identical inductance stats? OR, do we just assume the inductance level is low because they are expensive? And, how low is low? Do we get to a point of inaudible differences? Enough questions for ya? Thanks in advance.