I know before I even make this post that the following comments are going to irritate some of our readers. PMP, you asked an honest question, and what I am about to write is NOT intended to offend you, or anyone else, personally.
The whole subject of audiophile-quality power cords makes me a little crazy, since I think the vast majority of these cords are a stupendous rip-off. I am absolutely fascinated that people think manufacturers of high-end audio gear can make good to great gear, but somehow lack the intelligence to put a decent power cord on their gear. Electric power is transmitted across a huge power grid, goes through umpteen transformers and switching networks, travelling hundreds of miles across less-than-audiophile-quality wiring, all the while exposed to various kinds of line noise and contamination. Amazingly, audiophile power cords are supposed to magically "repair" all of this in the final six feet between the wall outlet and the component. AT BEST, a good power cord can only carry the electricity that comes out the wall without further contamination, which is something that any decent $50 power cord can do.
Another point: a power cord for an amp is fundamentally no different than one for a digital component. Both cords have the same function, which is to deliver the power from the wall to the component. Neither cord should be altering the current in any way. The only relevant difference might be in the gauge of the wire used for the amplifier power cord, since a high-power amplifier will draw substantial amounts of power, and would therefore benefit from heavier gauge wire. How the component processes the audio signal -- analog or digital -- has no relationship to the power cord carrying the electric current.
So, PMP, don't obsess over megabuck power cords. If you have "dirty power" in the area where you live, you'd be far better off to spend your money on a power regeneration system that cleans up the juice coming out of your wall socket, and not worry about needing a garden-hose size power cord.
I mean no personal disrespect to fellow 'philes who have found audio nirvana in a power cord, but if an upgraded power cord actually makes an audible difference in their system, then I submit something else is going on, and there are only a couple of possible conclusions:
1. the original power cord was a total piece of crap (unlikely in any product from a high-end manufacturer);
2. the replacement cord is somehow modifying the flow of the electric current, thereby affecting the frequency response of the audio signal;
3. the audio equipment itself has some serious design flaws.
If you really think that the power cord with your ARCAM Diva is in need of replacement, then consider a moderately priced cord by AudioQuest that can be purchased from HCM Audio for $50-60.
In closing, you might find it interesting to read the comments about aftermarket power cords on Bryston's web site. I find Bryston to be one of the most honest and refreshingly direct audio manufacturers in the industry, and they state unequivocally that replacement high-end power cords are NOT necessary if the equipment was properly designed in the first place. Infact, Bryston recommends that owners of Bryston gear NOT replace the power cord, as many of the aftermarket cords are inferior in quality to those that Bryston supplies with its electronics.
OK, let the "point - counterpoint" begin (but please be civil)...
