The whole power cord idea is certainly hard to believe. All that wire from the substation to your house, from your breaker to your outlet, suddenly that last 5 feet is the path to Nirvana?

Now having said that, I felt the same way about exotic cables, I heard no difference at least right up to the point where I was able to afford a much more exotic system. Now I hear all kinds of differences in the various cables. I have spent real money (drat, damn, can't be) because unfortunately the more expensive interconnects and speaker cables sounded better.

I am afriad to try exotic power cords, too close to magic or too big an impact on the wallet if they work (ignorance is bliss in this case).

My point is that these things must be done in balance, if you have the financial resources to purchase $20,000 electronics boxes or speakers then you will find exotic cables are pretty near manadatory to realize the full capabilities of these devices. On the other hand if you're a mere mortal with a $500 receiver it makes no sense to buy $800 worth of wire, the wire is not your weakest link.

Putting Pirrelli tires on a Volkswagon Van will not make it a race car, putting Grand Auto 4 for $200 tires on your Ferrari will probably kill you on the first mountain turn. Balance is the key.