Power Cords: A Skeptic Looking to Dabble...

Mceljo - if DIY is not your bag - take a look at Signal cables - they offer a couple in your snack bracket

Regards

I realize that folks have different skill sets, but I find it hard to imagine that someone could not build a power cable. If you can handle a box cutter, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver, you can easily build your own and save serious money doing so.

Or, look here for used PCs at down to earth prices. Paying retail for something like this just does not make much sense...

-RW-

Pangea is worth checking out. Prices are very reasonable. Audio Advisor has a 30 day return policy.

Rlwainright - some folks are just not comfortable with the DIY approach - for example, I will not mess with anything gas related - I get the gas tech to come around. Watching is aways educational - but I wouldn't try it!

But for me with a background in electrical engineering a power cable is a no brainer. I have been known to take shortcuts with electrical connections - after the first electric shock - the rest are just a nuisance :-)

It's all about comfort level.

Problem with building your own is that if you don't like the result you're pretty much stuck as you probably can't return them and probably can't sell them for very much if anything. That said, I plan on doing that with some Supra Lorad 2.5 or DH Labs power cables and some decent Wattgate connectors and see what happens. Has to be better than stock cords and I'm only out around $75 or so in the event they don't work out.

Another alternative to buying used is to try some of the direct sellers who generally have good money-back trial periods. Companies like Triode Wire Labs, Grover Huffman, Morrow, and whatever MAC is called these days would be some good ones to try. Their 10AWG cables are a little more than twice what you're looking to spend (you can use a smaller gauge for source so will be less), but you get to try them for very little cash outlay (other than possibly return shipping) and they may very well end up being keepers given the fairly consistently positive feedback from owners here. You could even try several at the same time if there's enough room on the ol' credit card, which would probably be the thing to do given how differently PCs can work in various systems. Just another thing to consider.

By the way, while we're on the subject of power you might also consider upgrading your power conditioner at some point as well. I also have the APC H15 in my home theater system and tried it briefly in my audio system and it's not the most transparent unit out there (compared it to an Audience unit). It'll probably help you reap even more of the benefits of better power cords as well I'd think. Always something. Hope this helps and best of luck.