Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?

On a somewhat related note.  I purchased a ong run of an interconnect, used, and had them re-termed at the factory (Kimber in this case) to yield multiple pairs of shorter interconnects that I can use at a bargain price.  

The other method I've used is to buy the "older" generation of an interconnect just after the "New and improved" models are introduced.  I've saved 40% on new cables like this.  These tactics help take some of the sticker shock out of high end cables.  

Cheers

@coralkong - YES! - cables are components and very important ones at that

The world of cables has changed tremendously in the past couple of years.

Zavfino

• makes great cables at reasonable prices that actually work.
• great for entry level to upper mid level systems

In-Akustik and Hijiri

• more for the extreme high end systems

Proucts from In-Akustik and Hijiri will elevate high-res systems to excellent levels of performance

There are other brands, but simply search these forums for member feedback on all three of these brands and you will find very positive feedback

Don’t be fooled into thinking cables have to COST a certain percentage of overall system budget

• that approach is utter nonsense
  • e.g. my Blusesound Node 2 has an excellent Interconnect cable and it sounds amazing - thanks to that cable
• all systems will respond to great cable choices - I have great cables on my mini system that cost $350 and it sounded so much better after I added the cables

Regards Steve

Yes - but the least bang for buck. By a long way.

Since I DIY with electrostatics, I can use nichrome wire for speaker cables instead of a tuning resistor - so effectively no speaker cables at all. For line level, Canare Starquad microphone cable. The cross linked polyester insulation has very low dielectric absorption, which is quite a lot of what we listen to. Their shielding is also the best.

Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?  ...do you think that cabling (AC/InterConnects/SpeakerWire) should be considered a component that is integral to your system?

No, but I sort of agree with the analogy made by @soix 

...if you had to recommend a set up to someone (who wanted a nice stereo), would you consider cabling to be essential in your build price and your recommendations?

Yes, but only to the extent that cables are needed to operate the system.  However, not unlike equipment stands/racks, footers, room treatments, and other auxiliaries, cables can be changed/upgraded over time and very few here have purchased their "final" cables at the time they originally assembled their system components.

If so, would you consider the cost of the cables to be on par with the cost of a component?

Not even close.  I have found that different cables sound differently in my system but the impact cables have on the overall sound of the system IMO is much less than the impact of the individual components or speakers.  As with @norco74 , I have made my own cables for years from both manufactured bulk cables and from scratch, but I have also purchased manufactured cables at  mid to upper price ranges by companies like Cardas, PAD, Isoclean, Furutech, HT, AZ, TWL, and more.  Some, but not all, of the cables I have made myself have equaled those higher priced manufactured cables I have owned, and in some cases they bettered them (i.e., one of the interconnects I constructed is currently used by a well-regarded equipment manufacturer in their personal system).  My point is that cables do sound different but IMO spending a lot of money on cables is not a prerequisite or a guarantee of good sound.

Most amplifiers and receivers come with a $7 to $10 power cord.  Expensive power cords are often 1 inch to 3 inches in diameter.  I noticed I could turn the volume down to reach the same db.  Perhaps I am crazy and wanted to hear a difference.