I've experimented in making powercords. I started with the Wattgate connectors. They sounded ok. I made a DH Labs Power plus cord first. This cable is dark,rolls of the highs,and makes decent bass,although it might come across slightly bloated in the midbass. If you want to tame a bright system down a bit,and yet increase the soundstage depth,this cable seems to do this.It really sounds good on my Klipsch Rw12d subwoofer.
As for connectors,I've found cheap Sonarquest made in China that sound considerably better. They're supposed to be ofc copper,plated with different metals. I've done many hours of experimenting with the silver,copper,gold,and rhodium,plated models.
I never believed all the stuff people reported about power cords in the past.But this testing mad a believer out of me. The silver sounds the best to me,extending both ends. The copper rolls of both ends just a bit,but makes a deeper soundstage with more midrange. The instrument focus is a bit better also. The gold is a bit warmer and rounder sounding. The upper midrange picks up a bit. The bass is not as defined,is warmer and rounded.
The Rhodium plated one is kind of hard to peg. It's close to the red copper,but the soundstage is different. The bass is not as sharp as the copper,but a bit better than the silver(though doesn't reach as deep).The rhodium and the copper are probably the most neutral.
These ac plugs are relatively cheap.The silver is the most expensive and harder to find. The Ebay seller for these is here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181355696313?ul_noapp=true
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONAR-QUEST-CRYO-Audio-Grade-Rhodium-plated-IEC-plug-US-main-plug-sonarquest-/131144954637?hash=item1e88d9330d:g:SV8AAOxydgZTKccm
He's reliable and ships quickly. Under $35 for both ac and iec,it's worth the gamble.
There are other sellers for Sonarquest ac connectors that have proved reliable as well. So you can search ebay for the best deals.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONARQUEST-24K-Gold-Plated-IEC-Connector-and-US-power-plug-/111710396119?has...I have an extra set of new gold like these if your interested.
These connectors have an influence on stock power cords as well. So I can imagine you might try them out on your current aftermarket cord,if they are using the Wattgates. I've tried these cables out on other systems as well.The results don't seem to be limited to my Emotiva system.
The main wire I'm using these days is the quail 14awg gray hospital grade cable. There are reviews out there as this cable was referred to as the "iron lung jellyfish"power cord.Better cables on Amazon has a 15' length for under $20. This power cord is brighter and more detailed than the volex/belden cable.It also makes considerably more lower bass.
If you want to bring down the brightness,go with the DH Labs Power Plus with the Sonarquest plugs.
It's worth the time to make your own cords because you'll save so much money. Personally,I think it's ridiculous to spend hundreds of dollars on a single power cord thats under 6 ft. of wire.
