Some of my power cords are 15 years old. My Don Sachs linestage came with an Ice Age Audio power cord that is huge and really adds some body to the sound. Ordered two more. PS Audio S300, Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra and Oppo 105 behaved the same way. They loved them. I'm on a roll! Hooked the Ayre Codex DAC up and...disaster. Lost bass, got bright and spitty. So much worse than the OEM cord.
Understand the big 10 ga cables helping high power amps. Surprised that they helped the low power draw Oppo, while hurting the low draw Ayre Codex.
It is possible the unbroken in cable sabotaged the Ayre. But, the one one the Oppo was also brand new. I'll break in the cable and try again. If it works, it will be the first time I've ever had a full loom work.
Thanks,
aldnorab