$59 PC Options

Photon46, you have done way more experimenting than I with low cost power cords.

I defer to you and withdraw my statement above.

DH Labs sells their assembled power cord for about $220 but is to be commended for the fact that they'll also sell the raw cable for about $6.50 a foot.

Using high quality Marinco connectors you can build this cord for about $70, although I've also gone to the expense of having the cord cryoed.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/dhlabs_powerplus.htm

http://www.silversonic.com/docs/products/PowerPlus.html

A very good cord IMO-I use them throughout my system and it is very slightly warmer than neutral as the review suggests.

Among the cords I've used and prefer it to are: Blue Circle BC 62, Cardas Golden (plain Golden not the reference which I haven't used), Virtual Dynamics Power 3, DIY JPS labs built using the JPS in-wall cable (supposedly very close to the JPS Power) and the Volex. I'd agree that the Volex is not in the same league as the better cords or anything I've listed above, although it is cheap.

The MAC listed above sounds interesting.

Another suggestion - Audio Art Cable PC - previously used Signal, PS Audio Statement, NAT and none of those made an audible difference in my systems - AAC does

It can be a vicious cycle. IMO cables are the icing on the cake for a system. I have tried several combinations of PC and IC with varying results. Some good, some really good and others… well, not so good. Change is not always a good thing but I do understand the temptation to try something different.

The best advice I have received on this form is to try it for yourself and let your ears decide.

I have two suggestions for most bang for the buck plus new purchase protection:

1) Go to Audio Advisor to take advantage of a PS Audio trade-in sale. You can buy the PS Audio Perfect Wave AC-3 cables and then trade in some garden-variety IEC PC cords to get a 50% rebate. You might also consider getting this IEC power strip to use one premium cord for up to three components.

I have been using a previous version of the PS Audio power cords and they are very good in a wide variety of situations. I used one with a switching integrated amp for two years, I use one with my HT pre/pro, and I use one now with my electric bass amp.

2) Go to eBay and watch for auctions run by ZuPromos for their Birth power cords. These items are new-in-box just like standard purchases on Zu Cable's website and carry Zu's same warranty and 60-day trial and return period. Typically these items sell on auction for about 1/4 to 1/3 of the website list price. Most Birth power cords sell for under $40 on eBay.

I picked up nearly $2K worth Zu cables this way for about $450 and am *very* happy with them.

You just have to be patient; only one such power cable may show up for auction every day or two. But in a week you'd have all the cords you need for about 30 cents on the dollar.