Can hi-end cables benefit less expensive electronics?


Some time ago, there was a guy on a Polish hi-end forum claiming that in his case it was better to buy some hi-end power chord than investing in a more expensive CD player. Has anybody had an experience where they invested in an expensive cable and felt the investment justified without upgrading the unit utilising the cable? Overall, would there possibly be any point in buying some expensive cable to feed electronics nearly the cost of the cable itself? I'm currently using a KT88 amplifier with a Metronome CD8 (which is also used as DAC) plus Metronome DSS as the streamer (transport only). Speakers: Franco Serblin Accords. In my case, an upgrade in electronics would involve spending at least USD 15,000 to make it sensible. But I can also spend much less and buy a Transparent XL Digital cable to replace my DIY cable that I currently use, at a much smaller expense. Is a high-end digital cable in some cases able to make it a worthwhile investment in a setup which is not top hi-end? I can afford the Transparent XL digital cable, but not necessarily any upgrade to the electronics I own. Has anybody experienced an improvement with an expensive cable even if the rest of the system would rather call for a less expensive one? When I wrote to Transparent about it, they said I should get advice from my dealer. Cable naysayers please do not comment. Also I'm not looking for cheaper alternatives to the Transparent XL. Just fancying buying a cable that many people say is an excellent cable. Of course, I do not expect the same improvement with this cable as with a full DCS Vivaldi setup, but am I likely to get an improvement, considering that the system is balanced and nothing really bothers me in it? Or should I absolutely get a cheaper cable because the more expensive one is bound to make things worse? 

serblinfan

Knowing I will be upgrading my system in not too distant future, I’ve implemented cabling that were considerably above the level of the components. 
I had Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper ICs connecting Chord Qutest to Rogue RP1 and once again Rogue RP1 to Rogue ST100 amp. The improvement was apparent and the cables took that system to another level. I then added Nordost Brahma power cord to the RP1 and improved the sonics even further. 
 

So it’s up to you what to do. Generally components first, room acoustics second, then cables. 

To your question, my answer is "not to any meaningful degree," IME and IMO, but of course, YMMV.

I recently installed a significantly upgraded power cable to my Marantz AV8805 and experienced a major improvement in extension immediacy and soundstage from this change.

Less expensive electronics limit will sound better, 

but they hold back the potential of the cables.

Why would you ask if a cable would improve your system? Nobody has your system, or your room, so how can somebody know how your system will sound with a different cable? Only you can tell if a cable will make your system sound better.

Also, what’s expensive? $50? $500? $5000? I have never heard a $50 or $500 cable that made my system sound its best. The cables that made my system sound its best cost way more than $500 each. But if you do this auditioning of cables, you want to make sure you are keeping your equipment because the cable you buy today with your current gear might not be the best cable for your new gear.

Get the gear you want for the next few years, then audition cables once you break in your new equipment.