why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

There's nothing wrong with choosing high conductivity or high purity copper cable. No one is saying cheap narrow gauge zip cord in long run lengths is a good thing. Again - common sense. Super or oversized cable may help reduce voltage drop and inductance but it increases capacitance. This has been covered by "professionals" ad nauseum.

https://www.quabbin.com/tech-briefs/why-cable-capacitance-important-electronic-applications

https://www.eeweb.com/tools/wire-inductance

Common sense and remarkably in this case too, science, tells us that moderation is the best  and most suitable approach. Regardless, I challenge anyone with $5000 cables to run both a scientific measurement and double blind test to reliably determine if they can improve system performance over cables that have similar resistance and capacitance per foot costing in the vicinity of $2.50 per foot. You don't see these kinds of examinations published because they would reveal what most scientifically oriented people have known since before "audiophiledum" was an accepted hobby. No one (at least I) is advocating for an extreme point of view. Quality cable components that achieve the desired results don't have to cost more than a good used car. Anyone who thinks they do is not playing with a full deck, IMH (fairly informed) O.

I’ve said this before somewhere on Audiogon but it applies to this thread…about WHY people buy expensive cable/wire when there is no reason for these “exotic” products to perform better than good quality cables of the proper length and resistance.

Likely the main reason is that this stuff looks really great if/when you can see it. Those proud of these accessories’ visual appeal, have their equipment well spread…giving the viewer opportunity to see how well equipped and connected the audiophile owner’s system is. When systems are referred to as “music reproduction devices” (or other pompous definitions), they are really proud of their stuff. I have no issue with buying anything for the looks as long as you have the honesty to say so. If I bought a Rolex, for example, I would never say I bought because it is such an accurate timepiece. If I put the optional rear wing on my Jag, I’d never try to get you to believe I drive fast enough to need or achieve the downforce. It, to me, just looks neat.

Another reason is that if it looks good and costs a lot, well….it’s gotta be good. A manufacturer can produce a cable of "exotic" design and beautiful appearance for, perhaps, $5 a foot. He can then choose to sell it for $10 per foot or $750 a foot. If it looks good enough, he might decide to market it as exceptionally high-end and sell it for the higher amount knowing that those with a higher disposable income, but no particular knowledge of basic acoustic science, will assume if it is priced at $750 it MUST be better and will, accordingly, sound better. Once the cables are changed out their eyes will widen and their jaws will drop at the amazing increase in sound stage, transparency, texture and openness the new cables provide. And….this actually is science...the field we know as psychology.

I have Kimber Kables going to my B&W’s. I love them because they really look cool. Got them free when I bought the speakers.

Anyone who thinks they do is not playing with a full deck, IMH (fairly informed) O.

That’s the same tired argument pseudo skeptics have been usIng for decades. It pretty much means you’ve run out of ammo. 

I'd rather end up my battle running out of ammo than showing up without any to start with.

Oh, brother, another pithy remark. Dude, time to hang up your spurs. 🤠