Everything I've switched up in my systems has sounded different in some way, the exception perhaps being cables. Sources, amps, preamps, turntables, cartridges, DACs, etc. have all sounded different in some way. Speakers of course have the most obvious effect on sound.
I'm not saying cables don't make a difference, because I have sat while someone swapped out cables in rapid succession and also switched between identical systems with different cables and heard differences.
I've noticed differences in sound with some of the cables in my system, but mostly when I've replaced really cheap cables. I have spent a fair amount of money on power cords and interconnects, but have not bought any megabucks cables. If there are differences in sound quality for the most part they have been to subtle to notice. Maybe the rest of my system isn't resolving enough for it to matter or my hearing isn't that sensitive.