Home Depot Power Cord?

I've made half a dozen detachable power cords from the 14-gauge Home Depot extension cord (so-called "HD-14") first praised in The Absolute Sound several months ago. I don't know why anyone would choose a lower gauge. I like the HD-14s better than the other aftermarket PCs I was using (mostly Omega Mikro and Mapleshade) and have had some pairs cryoed for additional (marginal) improvement. I use Shurter IECs and several kinds of AC plugs. The main thing to remember is that these things are VERY directional. Take the time to make two pairs -- with the embossed legend heading both directions -- and try them both in each link. Your ears will tell you which one works best. And no, I'm not kidding. Good luck, Dave

I trust you know that the lower the gauge the larger the wire?

There's no such thing as #7 gauge wire but if there were, one strand would be about as thick as a Sharpee and you'll need three strands to make a power cord.

I guess you could use #6 S.O. cord? Have fun putting the end caps on :^) BTW, that's good for around 60 amps.

I purchased Carol SJOOW Power Cable from Home Depot for use as power cable. I tried various sizes: 16,14,12 awg and ended up using the 14 awg for my amps. It was fun trying the various sizes and hearing the differences. I think it was well worth the time and effort.

Dopogue, thanks to your mention of the HD 14 cable in a previous post, I ended up making trial 4 ft. speaker cables that have, honestly, surprised the crap out of me. After two-three days burn in, connected to the speakers lower posts and in conjunction with some good silver jumpers for the highs, the impression is shocking. I guess shocking because I not only, didn't blow up something in the system, but that they are really so damn good. Even from the first minutes, the soundstage was huge and, already by the second day, instrumental timbres were quite accurate. (I ended up using them with the embossed legend “reading” from amp to speaker.) I was a virgin with wire and now “I” am broken in! Thank you. (Cigarette?)

Can you tell me please:
Have you tried the HD 12 or 10 gauge for speaker cable or PCs?
Any advantage (or disadvantage) to using a lower gauge?
On the above cables, I ended up using bare wire at both ends wrapped snuggly and securely, and with a small amount of electrical tape to keep things neat at both ends. (In other words, absolutely no fear that these will be showing up in an Audiogon classified any time soon.) Would introducing spades or bananas change the sound dramatically?

Best regards.