Power cords at ridiculous prices?

Power cords are in series with the mains supply, and that determines how your components perform, the same way a fuel line/pump affects the way fuel gets to an engine.

One thing to keep in mind, is that the good and/or "expensive" cord coming from your wall, is still the final link between your component and the current. In other words, the cheaper wire coming from your circuit box, to your listening room, may only be 10 or 12 gauge. But, your power amplifier will still achieve more dynamic contrast if it's own cord is even larger than the cable inside the wall...it could be 9, 8, or even "ought" gauge. My house power cable is only 12 gauge solid core, but the 8 gauge cord I'm trying with my amp is much more forceful, and has better bas extension, than all the smaller cords I've tried.

I disagree. A quality power cord is still going to yield an improvement that is worth its price, without "upgrading" all the lines upstream from it. Mine has.

South43, I agree, I love my Chang, but don't use it for the power amps............Highwayman, I don't doubt that optimizing your house wiring and circuitry is a huge benefit, but there's no need in saying it's a "must" BEFORE you even try a highend cord. Also, my Chang is indeed a power filter, but it is NOT active, so this idea that filters must be active, to be effective, is in error. I'm all for the performance the PS units allow, but they consume far too much power for me right now, and cost too much. I'll get a used one sometime, perhaps. I don't think any of you would believe the performance I'm getting from what I've got anyway, though, so I won't waste my time trying to explain.