Importance of Power cords feeding Conditioners

Yes, the power cord feeding the power conditioner is THE most important power cord for the entire system.

The best thing is that all your components plugged into the conditioner will benefit. So, consider spending 2-3x more on the conditioner cord than each component cord.

Not all PCs are designed for high current. So, what sounds great on a CD player may cause restricted dynamics and a collapse in soundstage if used to feed the conditioner.

In terms of thickness, there are pros and cons to a single thick strand vs. multiple thin strands. It would be too hard to generalize, as designs will vary in their success for each approach.

I have no experience with a power regenerator, which is an entirely different concept. But, do experiment.

I would strongly suggest that Nsgarch ad Ptm both have valid points. Yes, conductor size, material, and shielding will have major effects and may serve as the foundation of a great power cable. However, if physics and theoretical equations were all at stake, all cables would eventually converge to that configuration.

Materials and connections can have profound effects on the sound, and cable manufacturers actually do have to approach these from a trial-and-error perspective. For example, some have found that lower-priced IEC inlets and plugs perform better than those with costlier metals with mirror finishes in carbon houses.

My view is that it is the job of the cable manufacturer to make the breakthrough "happy accident" through an obsessive and exhaustive approach. Then, the consumer can make a minor happy accident in finding a match with their gear and tastes.

Throw in variables of marketing, emotion, a new-cable-launched-each-day, and that most people are looking to use cables as tone controls. Now you have a volatile situation where no one is apt to agree.

I have heard cables retailing above the 5k bracket that underperform, two cables antagonize each others best qualities, and some good cables reveal other weak links. My current cables contain exotic hardware and materials only found through an extremely limited number of sources, as well as ridiculously mundane materials found at your local hardware or hobby store. Let's call it part science, part art.