It’s just physics.

If a 4A fuse doesn’t blow during heavy use your likely not exceeding the 15A (14 gauge) power cords current capacity …

It may or may not cause you to hear a difference, perhaps at how much voltage sag a particular setup creates, but that’s personal/subjective to each person …

@pennpencil good point

14 awg is never big enough for an amp.   I have seen 10 awg power cords make huge difference in 5 wpc amps. 

The logic of @johnnycamp5 above is exactly why so many people have undersized power cords for their amps.  But I'm ok with that.  I've bought 2 excellent amps used and cheap that I concluded were sold because the owners had undersized power cords on them.

Jerry

@pennpencil Exactly!  If you hear a sound quality improvement by upgrading power cables then proceed as your finances allow. You don’t need to hire an EE to tell you what you hear.  

@Ditsua:

What is the current rating on that Crown amp?

Cable discussions here tend to come down to beliefs. I believe a cable can improve the SQ. Or, I believe it can’t. But this issue is not about believing. Just listen and hear for yourself. No belief is required. Reshelving fees make us want to know what’s possible. In the end, your ears tell the truth. While at an audio show, a manufacturer swapped out four of their power cords. Frankly, I was a little pissed that I heard differences. I wanted to hear the same SQ from all the cords. Even though the SQ was unmistakeable different, I chose not to spend $1,000 on a power cord not because it wouldn’t help but because i have some ceilings on my spending. You can believe me or not but there’s no reason for belief to enter a cable discussion. As for the science behind it all—it doesn’t matter. You hear it or you dont. Whatever your answer is, you’re right.

Does "negatively impacting" the sound mean "degrading" the sound? Just wondering, here in our post-verb universe.

14 gauge for your source (s) and 10-12 gauge for you amp (s). 

Jay’s Audio has many demos showing differences between pc’s in sound. Search them out if you want to. Synergy and everything makes a difference are key mantra’s that play out in practice. I have also upgraded cables from my sub board to my outlets and will be matching them to my highest grade cables in this new set up.

I would try and match your cords to your wall supply so you are not effectively choking off the available supply with resulting differences in resistance inductance and performance. Still you may need to try various cables to get the synergy you need.

Do your mono blocks have overload fuses? Most do.

If so, what amp fuses are they supplied with?
3A?, 4A?

14 gauge is rated to 15A so you should be good to go…

@jasonbourne52 Wrote:

I am unaware of any amp requiring a 10 gauge power cord. What amp/amps do you have?

My Crown Studio Reference 1 amp has a factory install non detachable 10 AWG power cord and a 30 amp plug. See image below:

Mike

Erik_squires

Don't understand what you're saying here

@jumia The power cord you need to your amp is by the breaker on the amp, not the panel.

The purpose of using fatter wire in branch circuits is to minimize voltage drop to the receptacle when there is a long run from panel to receptacle. That six feet from receptacle to appliance is trivial. Besides, the wiring from the amp power inlet to the power supply is not 10ga. It might be as thin as 18ga. How far can this iteration possibly go?

What about shielded and thick cables? Also it’s a 20 amp circuit breaker.

I am a big fan of shielded cables. Because it's nearly impossible two separate and space out all the cables in most rooms that have hifi equipment.

I thought correct Terminology was impedance for alternating current and for direct current its resistance.

Jumia, should have been more clear.

The gauge of wiring you _need_ to your amps is dependent on the fuse or breaker value on the amp itself.  14 gauge is enough for up to 15 Amps, 12 gauge for 20.   You _could_ get thicker wiring but not needed.  I personally like shielded cables over thick cables for the extra EMI/RFI protection.  Now that our homes are filled with wireless devices and Ethernet and USB cables I feel this is more important to me.

@jasonbourne52 

X 200

Shunyata - a "bona fide" high-end company - was attempting to prove that lower resistance was important. They proved it doesn't matter! So 'philes discard those garden hose power cords and free yourselves from delusional thinking!

@jumia 10-12awg depending on length should be more than appropriate for the job.

Shunyata's device showed that a typical 14 gauge power cord's resistance is perfectly adequate for any audio component. No effect upon transients!

My father's table saw would sometimes trip the 15amp panel circuit breaker when cutting plywood. I doubt your pair of 600 watt amps would do that even at clipping!

@jumia : I understand the necessity of having low resistance in a power cord for transient peaks. Shunyata designed a device to measure this using transient speed compared to power in watts. They found that transient speed became a factor (slowed down) only when the 10,000 watt level through a power cord was reached! So below 10K watts a 14 gauge cord is perfectly fine! No deleterious effects!

I have been in this hobby since 1976. I have yet to hear a sonic difference between any power cords! I know enough about physics and engineering to question the veracity of the "golden ear" claims for the superiority of one power cord over another. 

The biggest improvement is in reducing resistance per foot.  If you ran 30' of 10 gauge it's still better than 30' of 12 gauge.

Just make sure your breakers are right sized for the end use.  Meaning 15 or 20 Amps.

JasonBourne52

 the benefit of a 10 gauge wire from the electrical panel is to achieve a benefit from lower impedance and Power availability for all those Quick changing frequency needs. Clearly there's enough power to run the device but that's not the point.

The power cords would be connected to 600 W mono blocks.  
 

@ghdprentice : I see on eBay a Hurricane listed at $1842.60. That's a lot of $$$ for 3 meters/9 feet of wire! Also listed is an AQ Thunder for $600. Again, a lot of moola! Do you really believe that you can hear a difference between the Hurricane vs. the Thunder? A degreed electrical engineer will tell you otherwise! 

@ghdprentice :"It is unlikely a 14 gauge power cord is not negatively impacting the sound." That is poor grammar! Do not use a double negative in one sentence. The correct sentence is: It is likely a 14 gauge power cord is negatively impacting the sound.

I am unaware of any amp requiring a 10 gauge power cord. What amp/amps do you have? Why did you install 10 gauge wire to the breaker box/AC outlet? None of your gear combined will draw that much current. Stoves, refrigerators and washing machines/dryers run on 240 volts/30 amp circuits. 

No.

I would not worry so much about the gauge as the intent of the cord and the quality (it is likely to be 10 gauge) These days most cable companies build a special cord for amps as opposed to low power components.

I searched for nearly a year to get the power cord right on my amp. Finally I found the Audio Quest Hurricane. Wow, this is a really good power cord… the dealer who brought it over told me his employees asked for it because of all the buzz on line… the buzz. There is good reason for all the buzz. It is very neutral and quiet.

I guess the short answer is, yes definitely you want to find a better cord. 

it is unlikely a 14 gauge power cord is not negatively impacting the sound.

NO! Because even a 14 gauge power cord is rated to handle 15 amps/ 1500 watts. This is the same rating for the typical breaker box/AC outlet found in most homes. That's a lot of power! Increasing the size/diameter of a power cord is only required if you plan to use an arc welder! Then you need a lower gauge/thicker cord. For a 200wpc amp a 14 gauge cord is perfectly fine. You don't need a garden-hose size power cord!

I doubt you will hear a difference. But if you will feel better, and want bragging rights, buy a couple 8 ga PC’s. 
 

so, you have 8ga from your box :) to outlets,?…..I would probably grab a medium cost 8ga cords, more money does not mean 10x better. 
 

use your best judgement. 
 

years ago, I bought 30feet of 8ga speaker cable, I have to cut them to fit in the banana plugs.