budget Cables / Interconnects recommendations?

Many cables will not make much difference... and then there are the ones that do, even in an inexpensive system, regardless of where in your system you put them, and not necessarily for the reasons of basic engineering that the engineers will point at when dismissing the bulk of what's out there, especially if it's expensive. And then there are the cynics that will always enjoy cleverly pointing at all the ususal reasons for their cynicism. It doesn't make them right, just smug.

...and now the cynics will cleverly point at the fact that I'm a dealer.

The bottom line is that there are some cables that for many people will make an obvious difference, both inexpensive and otherwise. If you find yourself hearing that kind of difference, you won't have to worry about the naysayers. You'll know for yourself.

I'd make suggestions but...

Thanks Tvad for hopefully shortening this thread.

Hmm. I'll have to try Signal Cable. In the meantime, I'm very happy with my Zu Cables bought on eBay for a good price with a 60 day trial policy...

Shadorne asked: "Could all this be making you energized more by fear/desire/conformity than practical benefit?"

I am energized to hear some improvements in my system via a relatively simple mod.
fear- of what?
desire? yes- for better sound-
conformity? ha! spend hundreds to be accepted by a bunch of strange names on a web board? If I wanted that I'd act like I know everything. The fact is that I don't know much about this. Thats why i'm here.

I don't really care whats "in". I care what works, and I'd hate to "miss out" on a relatively easy way to improve my system.

I am one of the "few" who question "extraordinary differences" because I have not heard it with my own ears. Many thanks to those who have given me a few places to start via this thread- So far I've at least gotten something educational from 14 out of 15 of these replies-
Cheers.

Also check out Audio Advisor. They have an exclusive on a couple of interconnects from AudioQuest that I think are good values: The Scarlet Viper and the Blue Racer. The Viper is long-grain crystal copper at $35/meter pair and the Blue Racer is OCC-style single-crystal copper at $65/meter pair. I have both and think they give good value. The Blue Racers are especially nice. The single-crystal copper imparts a very detailed, yet smooth sound and they come with AudioQuest's excellent silver RCA plugs which by themselves sell for $40/set.

Also, AA has a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. You pay return shipping, but on interconnects that's very cheap. That gives you plenty of time to burn 'em in and try 'em out.

Speltz Anti-Cables, or make your own, or buy used cables off this site.