Looking for really fine cables at really low price

Steakster - My experience with the speaker cables (I have not doubled them yet) and IC results in a "Yes" to both of your questions. Though these changes are noticeable, they are not significant and, IMO, did not alter the character of the 2 types of wires.

IMO, a more noticeable change for the 16 GA came when I went from copper/gold bananas (amp end only) to no connectors.

Re: the IC's, I am going to make a set with the shield connected at the source end only for a comparison.

The Belden wire starts off bright and within just 20 hours becomes natural sounding and quite nice to listen to. Don't let the initial brightness disturb you. It greatly concerned me at first, but quickly went away. The difference is pretty big on the Belden and far less so with the WE wire.

DIY "anti-cable", aka magnet wire.

I've assembled IC's as well as speaker cables. I purchased some surplus 12 awg, 18 awg, and 20 awg which were modest monetary investments and which yielded great results.
YMMV

64 ft of WE 16 gauge arrived last Wednesday. Love the smell of vintage components!! I made an 8ft bi wire set since my Audio Note AN-Es use bi wire configuration. Bare wire, not terminated per Grannyring's direction. They have been burning in for the last 5 days in my 2nd system in the back room. Will put them in today and see what's up - Jet.

Mogami.