Power Cables and Wall Sockets

There are actually very many systems and listeners that can identify the difference power cords make. It seems counterintiutive that a couple of meters of cable can make a difference, but many listeners find the difference audible. There are plenty of other threads as to the empirical reasons for this.

However, in order of priority and value for money, it makes sense to ensure that the wiring and sockets that precede the mains cord are up to scratch. The case of the dimming lights that prompted this particular thread exemplifies this perfectly.

@imanitaural, just to be clear, I am absolutely recommending that you address your mains wiring and outlets as a matter of priority. If the wiring is the age it is, I would really consider running in a new line, ideally dedicated to the hi fi. The insulation on mains wiring can deteriorate with age and if your amp is drawing the kind of current that dimming lights implies, you will gain a worthwhile safety benefit as well as better sound from replacing the wiring.

As regards affordable power cords, I've had good results from the Audience Forte, auditioning it against the much more expensive cables in my own system. It delivered very respectable results for the money.

An electrostatic and a large monobloc amplifier are not analogous. The PSU in an Electrostatic is there to supply a polarising voltage to the diaphragm - which charge does build up on the mylar of the diaphragm. The caps in a power amplifier (or any linear PSU) don't just store charge on startup - they are continually being discharged and charged as the amplifier makes power. I would expect that power cords would have less influence on an electrostatic than on components where the current draw is more dynamic. But if you do experiment, please share the results!