Power Cable or Power Conditioner?

I've done a lot of experimenting with power conditioners and power cords. They can make a pretty big difference, and I think it's narrow-minded to say you refuse to spend more than $100 on a power cord. If it can make for a 20 percent (or greater) improvement in sound, it might very well be worth spending $500 or more on a cord. Anyway, I've owned the PS Audio PS 300, the Shunyata Hydra, the Richard Gray 400S units, etc. I've ended up with a Monster Cable HTS 100 unit on my Quad 988s and another one on my Pass X1 preamp and Electrompaniet CD player. The Monster is about 90 percent as good as any of them -- in my system, at least. I use a PS Audio 20-amp Ultimate Outlet for my Pass X350 amp. My power cords are Shunyata Sidewinder, Sidewinder Gold and Taipan. So, to answer your question, I think it makes a lot of sense to just get the Monster Cable conditioners and some of the lower-priced Shunyata cords. (I've owned the expensive Shunyata cords, too.) Treat the front end of your system first. Don't underestimate the difference power cords can make. I was highly skeptical, but I've heard the difference and seen the light.

I agree with the poster above-- unless you've tried it, you wouldn't believe what good after-market cables can do for you. They make they greatest difference on the front end, I and others have found, and I heartily recommend trying some of the Shunyata line, which sound absolutely splendid. The Sidewinder or Sidewinder Gold can be found on Audiogon if you're patient for around $200-225 each; the Black Mamba is better (warm and richer) for a CD player, by runs used around $400-425.

if you completely trust your wall internal wiring you can be ok without power conditioner.
power cord in many cases turns out to be more critical component than interconnects.

You might consider getting rid of your power cords altogether and purchase in-line power conditioners for each component.

A good or better power conditioner will almost always will provide better soundstaging, sibilants, and lowered noise-floor over a good or better rated power cord.

I'm using Foundation Research LC-2 and LC-1 in-line power conditioners. They are very good at what they do but are hard to find.

-IMO