Reading the discussion here made me wonder about this issue of gauge, oxygen free copper, copper versus silver, gold plating, braiding versus straight wire, insulation and all the other factors cited by engineers and marketers (in no way to I intend to equate them except insofar as they discuss sound reproduction and wire).

I just purchased two identical multichannel amps (Fosgate) and prior to purchasing, came across this review:
http://www.iar-80.com/page77.html

I respectfully ask those with a technical bent to take look, but reading the whole review is not necessary for purposes of this discussion - opinions about the amp are not what I seek. Rather, if any of the more technical among us would look at at the part of the review where the power cord is discussed, that may be helpful to our discussion - should anyone here wish to pursue this topic besides me:

http://www.iar-80.com/page80.html

I have read all too much discussion about power cords, interconnects and speaker wire and tend to hold the opinion that after a certain point in quality, translate that in my opinion to "gauge of wire" and quality of insulation, there should not be much difference.

What has made me rethink the issue is my flirtation with the nuts and bolts in the computer world and the concept of wire and bandwidth. The very concept of bandwidth implies spectrum and transmissive capability or lack thereof. In an analog environment where there is an infinite variety besides on and off, this may raise questions. There are many technical aspects to sound reproduction that lay people (and in this domain, that is what I am) may be easily confused.

Having said that, what I find to be the case in the digital domain, is that wire is either capable of transmitting the necessary bits and bytes to create the digital words sufficient to make a sound, perform an action, whatever, or it isn't. If the digital data is successfully transferred, then the DACS or other devices as may be in a PC can do their job - in sum, like little digital switches and computers themselves, it is either on or off. It works or it doesn't.

Not necessarily so the analog world - a much more ambiguous and problematic, if also wonderful realm, making it a perfect place for hucksters, cons and $3,000.00 interconnects. When does impedance and ohms translate into the malarky of "skin effect"?

Well, for most of us this all about music (and also - movies too) and having been a musician (viola and piano) I think I am not being immodest to say I may have a better than average ear; although I haven't played in long time - I am a trained listener. Having swapped out many kinds of cables, interconnects etc, I cannot claim to have heard any substantive difference. Admittedly, I have not tried any $100.00+ plus interconnects. A few custom made interconnects by XLO and BlueJeans Cable, some XLO speaker wire and Monster interconnects, along with various Radio Shack variants of the same things are all I have had the chance to experience.

I don't subscribe to wire having major difference, but as noted, I wonder about none?
Much is available about the myths of speaker wire difference, not as much about interconnects and power cordsets.

One of the interesting things about the link posted in this missive concerning the review of the Fosgate is the apparently technical nature of the review and and qualifications of the reviewers. It also struck me as more credible that they recommended the inexpensive cordset that came with the Fosgate rather than expensive replacements. More importantly, they also noted how that particular cordset can help other solid state AB amplifiers.

Even as sensitive as my hearing may be I don't know if I can or will be able to hear the difference in such a thing as a power cord.

The point of my posting this was to get the more technical among us to weigh in on the issue.

By the way, I recently purchased two Fosgate amps - one new and one used. One came with a replacement cordset and the new one, presumably will come with the original one. I guess I will have to AB the two identical amps to see what I can determine. With no speaker selector it may be too much a chore.

The thoughts of any of you are solicited.