Hamburger,
The power cord is a big part of making the Powercell work at its potential. The non-SE models come with an off-the-shelf molded power cord that SR will tell you is not optimal for the Powercell (putting it mildly).
The 10SE includes a 32 amp Speakon-connector version of the Precision AC cord (the standard IEC Precision AC is $1800 if added to the non-SE model) and the SE also has a more complete Quantum Tunneling process applied to it than the non-SE models. So, the 10SE is the real "bargain" (I know that is a hard concept to accept at $5k retail) since it includes the higher current Precision AC cord and the additional QT treatment.
Some of the 817 (and counting) posts on the SR cable thread here on Audiogon have discussed this at length. The T3UHC ($1200) with the non-SE Powercell can be used to good effect, but the Precision AC is much better in this application, and the full SE version is better still.
If you will contact Michael at Vineyard Sound, I think he will provide clarity around this and help you make the best decision.
Rhyno,
Yes, I have a fully loomed SR Tesla system. While the Powercell does work best with all Tesla cabling, it will still likely outperform the competition with non-Tesla cords.
See these reviews:
http://dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=26
http://dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=44
Norm Luttbeg (first review) is a friend of mine and I have heard his system several times, both before and after adding the Powercell 10SE. He had a full $17K IsoClean power system in place before he tried the Powercell and the Isoclean system was unceremoniously jettisoned from his system immediately upon hearing the Powercell. This was before he added the full compliment of Tesla cabling.
Rhyno, I also felt "BS-ometer" pegging when Ted Denney told me that adding additional Tesla products to my system would yield non-proportional sonic benefits (sum is greater than the parts) and that adding the last Tesla cable to complete the loom would take things to a whole new level. But now that I have done so, I cannot describe the effect without seeming like a promoter, which I am not. I will say that the year long journey to this point, starting with their entry level power cords and Teslaplex receptacle, and then Tesla speaker cables, then ICs, and so on has given tremendous satisfaction at every step. I think that those that recable their systems all at once miss the fun of having their socks blown off at every step of the journey. It has been a blast for me.
