Need Opinions for Different Cable Manufacturers/Cable Designs

OP

For affordable OCC copper cables, look at Zavfino....excellent copper and geometry and affordable. Also Anti-Cables Flex 4.2 are excellent and reasonable

I am also going to mention taking a look at some of the brands that @kennyc mentioned - Iconoclast and Zenwave. I do also use AcousticZen Hologram speaker cables as well and am impressed with their musical and open presentation.

While design is critical with cables, I have come to believe that using UPOCC copper and silver can really improve sound quality. I had some Iconclast TPC interconnects and recently compared them to their UPOCC cable (same exact design, just different copper) and the UPOCC was definitively better.

I also have recently had the opportunity to listen to a new Zenwave all UPOCC silver interconnect and it is a keeper. Dave at Zenwave is great to talk with and can guide you through his whole line at different price points. He is very focused on making great cables at different levels using the best quality cable and connectors he can.

I have tried most of the best cables in the industry. Too many to list and most of what has been mentioned here. End game cables are made by Inakustik. A German manufacturer that has done a lot of research whose designs have been proven in recording studios throughout the world. 

 @kinarow1 I have extensive experience with DHLabs cables and you can’t go wrong with them. Great bang for your buck! In my experience, you can do better if you spend more. I also have used Audience ICs; in my system, they sounded thin and I resold them after extensive auditioning. I know you didn’t ask for other cable recs, but for what it’s worth…I’ve used a wide variety of cables priced within your budget used, including Harmonic Technology, Acoustic Zen, virtual Dynamics, PureNote, Kimber, DIY Neotech and Furutech. Each product had virtues and limitations. I ended my cable experiments nearly 10 years ago, after stumbling across a pair of VonGaylord Chinchilla ICs. I am not a fan of their power cords, but VonGaylord IC cables bring the best out of my system. You can find used Chinchilla for prices well within your budget. My experience auditioning cables is quite some time ago and there may be better options available now, but the VonGaylords are worthy of an audition.

Be patient. Used examples of all the cables you listed eventually will be offered on online marketplaces. I’ve bought and sold dozens of used cables. If you’re careful, you will recover your money when you resell. I’ve had good experiences using the Cable Co lending library.

Good luck and good listening!

Couple thoughts:

First, I think you're on the right track. Having had my own system significantly improved/refined by upgrading my cables, I've reluctantly accepted that cables are too important to be disregarded.

A comment about the idea of "end game cables". There are such things, but usually they are simply the best and most expensive cables a person has tried up to that time that has satisfied their expectations. It means "I've stopped worrying about cables. (Maybe forever. Maybe until I get another itch to scratch.)

For me it was Cardas Neutral Reference. I'd never heard a single pair of cables make such a difference. I eventually ended up with a full loom of them (not including power cords). I was amazed that 20+ year old interconnects would still be (for me) kind of expensive - but not really expensive compared to new or newer cables.

I strongly encourage you to purchase used. And, if at all possible, try before buying.

One more word of advice, since you started this thread, is to not be satisfied with anything that doesn't sound like the big upgrade you're looking for. My cables really brought out the capabilities of my system. And I learned that many times when people are complaining about the way a component sounds there is a big possibility that an inappropriate cable is what they're hearing.

Track down that review of the Cardas Neutral Reference on Positive Feedback. I'm not suggesting that you'll end up with them, but it's a thought provoking, well written piece and reflects my own experience in this journey.