DIY Power Cables Instead of Used

@sfcfran If by DIY you actually mean attach plugs onto a piece of bulk power cable - then I agree with @elizabeth - there are many choices from cable vendors that will retain resale value and perofrm better

However, if you are willing to take DIY to a "higher level" take a look at the Helix Power Cable.
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-power-cable.html

It may look a little daunting, but it is pretty easy after the first one

Follow the "recipe" in the link and you will have a power cable that

"outperforms most others on the market!"

And those are not my words, but words from several people that have tried them.

Personally, I have compared them to cables up to $1500 and even had one person report that this power cable outperformed a Nordost cable he owned. He has since sold the Nordost cable

I have tried bulk cables from Furutech and DH Labs, but even braiding the conductors from a simple piece of Home Depot 12 guage extension cord outperofrms both of them - don’t believe me? I didn’t believe it either until I tried it.

The Helix Power Cable improves the resolution of any component, but the amount of improvement is not quite so apparent as the power supply of the component get larger and more sophiticated - i.e.
- improvements in large amps is initially not as noticeable
- whereas improvments in source components with smaller power supplies will reveal the biggest improvement

The latest word is - the Helix power cables even works on componentns that use DC power - that was a surpise.

Anyhow - got questions - ask away

Good luck with your quest - Steve

Hi Steve.   I recall bumping into a discussion on that quite some time ago, and being curious...perhaps 2 years ago.    I also recall seeing Elizabeth present instructions on that with great detail out here on other posts, also some time ago.  At those times I was not in the market, or much interested in power cords, as I was still in a revamp of my core components that, while very good in their own right, were a bit long in the tooth ... so I just kind of forgot about it! So yes,,,I'll go back and look.  Thanks!
>>> Rich

I just bought 500 ft of MilSpec 12 gauge silver plated 600V Teflon insulated wire for $250. on eBay. This stuff is usually for airplane use. I bought a spool with ? 350 ft maybe 7 years ago... used it all up. Time to again start playing. last time I posted about it, the wire got all bought up pretty fast. LOL I really did not want to buy again yet. but if it is there.. Time to buy. Might be none for five years..This stuff is good for power cords and speaker cables.I have a set of ’extension cords’ made up of two sets of quad twist of this stuff plus a pair of ground wrapped in between the quads.From kitchen to stereo.So I can use the 20 amp power for my stereo.

Steve, et all … I've now looked at the link Steve provided, and recall reading that exact post in the past, perhaps 2 years ago (?).  It is very much what I had in mind for DIY configuration, but not nearly as advanced as the detail provided there (just didn't remember all of that!)....now having the link saved, I will absolutely be giving that a go...its just too easy, and just too inexpensive to not try!  ... With the caveat, that I will of course have to do the same with a "quality" DIY cable from either Cardas, DHL, etc., for comparison, and a straight up chord from another company such as Furutech.  I do have the upside of building a secondary system in my basement out of my older equipment, where I can put, and have been putting, what I find not quite to my liking in my primary system.  I truly enjoy seeing the new heights I can take the old system too.  I will happily post my findings here, and perhaps as an additional thread.  Yes, its probably been done before, but it wouldn't hurt to 'unbury' the info with a refresh for newcomers to see....such as myself, with great thanks to Steve.  

@elizabeth 
 I was looking at that stuff a few weeks back thinking of buying some as a present for one of my brothers for Christmas (before this discussion of the VERY affordable DIY configuration, ofcourse). I enjoy upgrading his stereo every year, and watch his amazement that I could improve his audio or visual with VooDoo. He's not an audiophile, but does love his a/v, and is an Electrical Engineer specialized in Satellite Communications and guidance systems...so not only do I love improving the sound he and his wife hear, year after year, but I love watching the thrill on his face when we boot it up, and he plays in front of me after a new upgrade.  Showing him there is more to know than electrical measurements when it comes to final audio output is fun for me, as well.  While I very much enjoy bumping into engineers out here that are audiophiles and delve into the math of it all in a way that enhances my knowledge, it never ceases to amaze me how little a premiere rocket scientist can know about what we hear. 

With that, in case you ever run out again...check out the GSA website...they auction everything government surplus, used or new, to include electronics, wire, cars, boats, houses, etc.  Yeah,,,all of that..  You'd be amazed what the government sells for pennies on the dollar.