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I can't say that it was a leap or a bound but a definite step forward. I am using Harmonic Tech, Cardas and PS Audio cables on everything that has a removeable plug. So when will TV manufactures discover the IEC plug, surely they own a computer or two.

I put DH Labs (silversonic.com) Power Plus power cables on my amp, preamp, and CD player. I noticed the background was noticibly quieter and I could increase the volume to higher levels without harshness. There was an improvement in the airiness and "live" feeling of ambient recordings.

I've tried it. I know I don't have tin ears, nor am I easily biased by cleverly worded ads promoting after-market gadgets. Be smart. Save your money for software.

I have tried power cords into the $300 range and the DIY cables I made sounded better to me. Even then, a well constructed and fattier cable works better than the cheese cables (18AWG) that came with the equipment.

Yes it does improve the sound on source components/ sometimes a little sometimes a lot.....It seems on how much I feel the defrence is worth at that time, sometimes I feel its alot and outher times It seems like not that much. It must be my state of mind at the time.

I don't have the expertise to judge the technical arguments for why pc's should make a difference, but as a business professor, I can judge the business argument. It seems absurd that a mfgr who meticulously engineers and hand builds, say, a $3,000 amp, would then weaken its performance by skimping $10-$30 (wholesale) on the powercord. (Whereas, a mass producer of cdp's, who has thin margins, would skimp, though such a cdp would have bigger problems than the pc.) Then again, I have yet to listen to double-blind pc test, so I can't really know. But given the implausibility from the business point of view, I dont' feel the need to hassle with composing such a test.

Changed my stock cord on my Rowland 8, no real difference. However, the amp uses an inductive power supply and the dealer thought that was why.

This is a must, if you really want to get the full experience of your equipment.

This is an expensive hobby as it is, so I've drawn the line. I have premium interconnects/speaker cables, but I wont buy aftermarket power cables.

Might try it sometime, once I'm happy that the rest of the system is optimised (one can dream...!)

I'm currenty happy with factory supplied power cords. Only problem is that my wife keeps unplugging the subwoofer.

I have no doubt that power cords can/may make a difference for some. I don't care to pursue that avenue and have no interest in that aspect of this hobby. My fun money is spent on music and concerts (and to excess according to those who whould know!)

Replacing electrolytics with oil caps and adding filter chokes give a bit more bang for the buck.

If a component reacts to different power cords, then the component is broken or badly designed.

Expensive power cords are a fraud and a scam.

Not really interested. My YBA CD-2 came with great power cords, and my little tube amp is doing fine on its own. I do use a PS Audio 20amp Ultimate outlet with it's own stock power cord.

There was some benefit but, not a major difference.

Make or break a component? I don't think so. This is one neurosis I will live without.

why bother with a special power cord if all the equipment is connected to a power conditioner in the first place? what more difference could an expensive power cord make?

I upgraded the cord on my amplifier with a DIY cord based upon a design by Chris VenHaus. There was some improvement. Perhaps the merely adequate power strip into which all of my cords are plugged is masking an even larger improvement. In any event, it was not the pure snake oil I thought it would be prior to trying it. This area of audio reminds me of the book Green Eggs and Ham. I would guess that many who sneer at the benefits of an upgraded power cord have never tried one. You could count me in as a sneerer prior to trying the VenHaus design. I will continue to tinker here in the never-ending quest to achieve perfect sound.

Shunyata cords made a big improvement, especially on digital. The improvement is like the sauce on a fine dish, it cannot improve the meat, but can make already fine meat much more delicious.

Nothing elaborite, but do have PS Audio Lab, Lab II's and Minilabs throughout my system. Definitely an improvement with most all components except my preamp (Melos Sha Gold) which seems a bit immune to power cord changes as I've tried several diffent ones with marginal returns.

Yes, but instead of buying high-priced wire from a retail outlet I made my own using highly regarded DIY formulas.

Not yet, but I heard a really convincing demo over the weekend...

Depending on the component improvement varies from slight to big.

I have PS Audio xStream Plus power cords on my amp and preamp. They were a noticieable, although not overwhelming, upgrade from the older PS Audio Micro Reference cords. Adding an Ultimate Outlet for the amp only (saving up for a second one for the rest of the system) really took my system to the next level, conencted to the outlet by the Micro Reference. The total package stripped away layers of higher frequency garbage, and really opened up the sound stage. The power upgrades were definitely money well spent.

I frankly don't understand the issue. Apparently if you filter certain dirty things out of electricity coming into your home, you get better sound. I would have to hear that to believe it and I am probably not willing to spend money to find out.

I would not say make or break but anything is just about better than what comes in the box! There are many great couplers to be had between $50. & $100. such as: 2 X Absolute from GTT Audio.

It's a small, but nice, improvement when you add them. So why is it such a huge step backwards when you take them out? I tried a $2000 AC cord that I had to buy because my system sounds lifeless now without it. I swear they seem to make a bigger improvement then interconnects or speaker wire. Even the $300 AC cords! The real cheap ones ($75. to $180.) are more subtle, but still seem to offer something. I've paid $3500 to upgrade an amp and did not get as big as improvement as an AC cord gave.

They'll remove stains, cure the common cold, and wash your windows. They are the biggest scam going, closely followed by cables.