Unfortunately, I have found most “inexpensive” cables to be a waste of money.
Like everything else in your system, it takes engineering, materials and labor to make cables that produce worthwhile results.
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And: research, experimentation and refinement–that’s expensive.
In my case, I experienced the biggest difference with my DAC.
Shielded is not always at an advantage.
The connectors also play a big role.
You can also try DIY.
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Check out Hi-Fi Shark and screen for Aussie listings.
Great source for used gear…
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If you don’t have a dedicated power line in your home, start there! GREAT improvement for the money.
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Opinions and experiences vary. That said, since you don’t appear to have a power conditioning or regenerating pice of kit, I would start by adding the “best” PC you can afford to the preamp and work your way through your sources and gizmos in the signal path. Then, turn your attention to amplifier(s).
Other will surely disagree. 
Let your ears decide for you and experiment with where you put that first aftermarket PC. The preamp may not prove to offer the best bang for the buck in your system.
Take your time and enjoy the journey.
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Hi Searle
I would recommend you decide on what amount you are willing to pay to try out upgrade power cables. I would go with those terminated with Australian connectors. Although audiophile cables are generally overbuilt the ones with the proper connectors for the given country would likely meet any electrical codes in play. Once you decide on these factors, start looking at what you can buy both new and used. See what return policies each method offers. Generous return policies from reputable dealers make trying them less risky.
Identify the brand and model of the power cables you are considering and see what the manufacturer advertises as to the design and manufacture of the model you are considering to try. See if their science is backed by audio magazine reviews, and audiophile member forums. Be careful not to over do this or you will get confused. You should be in better shape to decide at least one you want to try.
Acquire the cable and run it with electricity through it for about a week and a half continuously if brand new. I’ve seen recommendations to connect to electric fans, etc. with the correct cord connector. If used, run it for a day or two.
Replace the stock cord with the audiophile cord on each component listening to how each reacts. Take your time and swap them out with the stock cords to compare. Take notes on what improvements if any you heard and move on. After this your ears should tell you if you want to buy and which component you want to use it on. Take your time and get familiar with what you learned.
My venture into power cables started with in home trials with recommendations from my salesmen. Eventually I got comfortable with trying online shopping for these. What I experienced is the same cord may have different changes on each component both audio and video. Sometimes improved performance, sometimes no change, sometimes performance degrades. What I ended up buying and on which component was based on my evaluations.
Best!
-Robert
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Hi @Boom_Boom , many thanks for a comprehensive response to my cry for help. I intend to take things slowly and do some research before I start testing different power cables. Also will certainly only look at cables that have Australian connections. I know it will be a slow journey, but that’s part of this hobby I guess. Thanks again for your advice.
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A good power cable has good plugs. The plugs contribute a lot to the sound. A simple and inexpensive cable with high-quality plugs usually sounds better than an expensive cable with cheap plugs. It depends on what you want to spend. You shouldn’t expect too much difference from a simple cable. A good mid-priced cable brings the most value. At a certain point, the differences between cables become smaller relative to the cost. In my opinion, a good used cable at a fair price offers the greatest utility value. Creating a cable yourself requires the necessary knowledge. It has the advantage of being able to freely choose cables and plugs depending on your budget and sound characteristics. But it also requires knowledge of which parts do what. A good power supply is like a foundation of a house. How the electricity is treated at the input is how it sounds later from your speakers. You should try a high quality cable to see what difference and benefit it makes for you. If you recognize the benefits for yourself then it usually makes sense to start at the beginning. A good power distribution for your components and a good supply cable are the first things you should start with. If you would like further and specific advice, it would be helpful if you described your situation a little. Which components do you have that need to be supplied with power? Which power strip and cable? Greetings Andreas
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