Power Cords: A Skeptic Looking to Dabble...

Mceljo - are you handy? Can you strip wire and screw on iec/mains connectors?

If you can do these relatively simple things you can make your own from bulk cable.

DH Labs makes great power cable....
- Encore for source
- Power Plus for pre/amp

Although my favourite is Furutech.

Silver plated copper Sonar Quest Connectors I have found to be very cost effective and can be purchased on eBay for $30 a pair - I use these on all my cables and they work extremely well.

There are sites on the web that can show you how to wire the connectors

How effective power cables will be depends on many factors, but I have found that ensuring the power cables are good quality will allow other changes to be more easily noticed and is an excellent place to start.

BTW - I have a Pioneer Elite DVD that I upgraded the power cord on using the DH Labs Encore and it made a noticeable difference

Do you have a dedicated power line?
Do you have quality outlets installed?

You'll probably get more noticeable results if you tackle these two things first. At least replace the outlets.

The outlets I use are Pass and Seymour MRI grade outlets - grip like a vice
- see Take Five Audio for these
- there are many other brands that do a great job

Does the power conditioner have a hard wired cable?

Just another option

IMO you can change the sound of your system for much less by installing filter chokes in your components (CDP, Preamp) and by changing a few resistors. My current system uses belden molded end power cords and Walmart extension cable for speaker wire and while I agree that all this makes a difference, I change components so often that I would make myself crazy mixing and matching each time. My preamp has a selector switch that allows me to change the sound to add more resolution, emotion, air, etc., similar to what some people describe their cables doing. If you are looking for resolution, separation, better tone, air, etc., that is what your components should be providing and the last piece of the puzzle IMO are cables.

Happy Listening.

If, like me, you're not that handy with building your own PC, then check out Cullen Cables. They're in your price range and are very well made. No hocus pocus, just solid design.

All the best,
Nonoise

OP -

a power cord could make a difference in your system. Remember, it is a filter (of sorts).

I use a MAC (formerly My Audio Cables) HC PC with my Sophia EL-34 plugged directly into a Furutech outlet on a dedicated line. It matches really well and can be found used.