$10 vs $100 power plug

"I guess if I was making audiophile equipment and had to cut corners, the power cord would be an obvious choice."

I doubt high end manufacturers feel they are compromising the sound of their products with the power cords they select. Only audiophiles think this.

"Them golden ear Gods can't hear any better than us normal folk...."

They don't care about hearing. They care about going to the bank.