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

Quality cables are table stakes.

The more important aspect of cabling for me is organizing them by type and running them together. For my system, this has increased fidelity and satisfied my OCD at the same time.

I said separating them by type (power, interconnects, phono, cat5, speaker). The induction issue was caused by IC's on top of power cables, exactly what I am avoiding.

Try removing all the cables from your system and see how well it performs.....

If, therefore, cables are an essential part of a system, surely it makes just as much sense to optimize them as it does to optimize the boxes that they connect.

......your room acoustics is one of the biggest variables in your own personal sound reproduction and will have a significant effect on the overall sound of your system. The OP has asked if your cables should be considered as part of your system and the answer is .....yes. I do believe that and in my opinion, that Audiogon members who have not according to them witnessed or have heard the  '' placebo effect '' of what cables can do for a system have not really listened to any really resolving or well assembled systems and therefore make those statements. To the Audiogon member who said that he equated the tires of his car to their the cables in his system was spot on as better tires do make a difference in car's performance was dead spot on with that analogy. The other members who drive classic cars or expensive Audi's I am can agree that they have invested some money in better tires for those cars to get the best out of their systems which I do think can be '' scientifically '' measured but obviously can feel the difference in performance so why not cables if that is your argument  ? You do not to spend $20,000 for a power cord but one that is in your budget will on a cumulative basis as your upgrade your  cables your overall system and its enjoyment can only get better.