You might also be able to make an argument for Apple's own power bricks being hacks. They might source the magsafe connector from one company, the cable assembly from another and the power brick from a third. A fourth company could put it all together for them. There's at least one company involved in constructing that brick and possibly up to 4, not including internal components. None of those companies is Apple.

Someone enterprising enough should be able to get at least some connectors from their manufacturer - without Apple's approval even.