#1- I never said, "bad cables". A, "bad" cable (in my lexicon) would be a cable that doesn't convey ANY signal.
'Crappy' would include the sort that come with most equipment, or: those that utilize dielectrics such as PVC, or other cheap-out constructions*, that are detrimental to audio signals.
*Admittedly: even some cheap, after-market cables perform better than the manufacturer-provided garbage.
#2:
You are wrong about DSP not making up for problems in the signal.
What I said was your digital gyrations (whatever form that may take) can never recover information LOST along a signal pathway.
Of course: the sound of a system can be tweaked with regards to a plethora of parameters, via DSP (which my TacT RCS 2.2X pre provides in spades), BUT: if critical components of the ORIGINAL signal are lost, there isn't a device manufactured that can recreate those, at any cost.
Again, for many of us: an accurate simulacrum of performers and their performances in a particular venue, is the desire/goal.
That requires maintaining the original signal, in as unaltered a state, as possible.
The common term: transparency.
How anyone else chooses to listen to their music, or: manipulate their signals, in their own listening environs, is strictly their own affair.
Even when in the business of designing and building systems for others; I never tried to change a customer's aural palette, though many viewed listening to my demo systems an awakening.
My credo was, "The customer always thinks they're right!"
The problem I have in these threads is the number that go about trying to dissuade others, from experimenting with their own systems.
As I often aver:
No one can tell you whether/how your system, room and/or ears will respond to some new addition. There are simply too many variables.
LIKEWISE: no one can possibly know whether a new addition (ie: some kind of disc, crystal, fuse, interconnect, speaker cable, etc) will make a difference, in their system and room, with their media and to their ears, without trying them for themselves.
Some companies offer a 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee, so- those that are actually interested, have absolutely nothing to lose, by trying (experimenting with) such.
Happy listening!