VPI Scout owners, do you use....

Mordante - look on audio asylum from a few years ago. Everyone was changing the capacitors in their motors, including myself. I believe this was the reason.

Srwooten's solution would be easier though :)

To the original question. If you try other cords, make sure the IEC is small enough to clear the bottom of the plinth. Those big, circular ones may not. Also, heavy cords tend to pull on the motor due to gravity. I use one I made myself from Belden 19364. Not that I think it makes a sonic difference, but I like all my cables to be the exact length to avoid cable clutter in my extremely restricted space.

I haven't heard a difference when changing to a better cable for the SDS....I had an extra one, so I use it, but I couldn't hear a difference that I could readily detect.