Originally Posted by 3dit0r
However, the logic falls down in what's happened in my case above, and with power cords in general for me. Firstly, I've noticed a negative difference with more expensive cords - how does that fit in with placebo effect/expectations? It's happened a lot in audio with me that a more expensive item doesn't sound better.

Expectation bias works both ways:-

I've spent the money and it sounds better, what a relief.

vs.

I don't want to spend the money and it sounds worse, what a relief.