Maybe your AC recepticle is wired up backwards? Why not reverse the leads in the wall? I why not over a powercord with the wiring reversed internally? Either would accomplish the same thing without adding another detrimental series of connections.
Also when you reversed the orientation of your original cable, did you also eliminate the ground connection too? Maybe that is the difference you hear. Just a thought.
Also when you reversed the orientation of your original cable, did you also eliminate the ground connection too? Maybe that is the difference you hear. Just a thought.