Are expensive cables worth it?

You are not crazy at all. Unless you are in need of some tone controls (frequency bending cables) the differences between quality cables and IC's should be and are very subtle, where as the choice of speakers & amp are anything but subtle. I agree with Warnerwh - optomize your room and present speaker/amp (or future speaker) set up first, then revisit cables and IC's. They are the final tune and high cost doesn't insure high value.

When your equipment is revealing enough that cable differences are significant rather than marginal, then the cost is worth it. And the most expensive cables aren't necessarily better than cables from the middle of the line: you have to listen. In my case the investment in Transparent and Elrod cables took place after intensive and extensive sessions of comparative listening, and the differences were not subtle.

I agree with Swlein. I think it depends on where you are with the sonics of your present system. If at this point you are well pleased with the system overall, then finding the right cables may be just enough to put your system over the top.

If, on the other hand, you still have quite a journey to go with your system, you may hear little to no difference with different cables regardless of the sonic abilities of the cable. I'm staying away from using the word 'price' because I just sold my fairly highly rated $1800 speaker cables for superior sounding cables that cost me $120 (for a full bi-wire set) new and included shipping.

And though I was quite pleased with my fairly well regarded ics, I tried just one pair of the far more expensive Jena Lab Valkyres between my source and pre. At first, there was no difference, but after a few days of burn-in, the sonic improvements in certain areas were far from subtle and well worth the price increase.

-IMO

when you clear your head and really concentrate on the music, at least certain types of music (for me, baroque massed strings, or solo violin, a harpsichord, or a piano that's well recorded), the attack and decay, the "rosin on the bow" becomes more apparent as your system improves. or, you ("i") can listen less intently and miss it just as easily. good cables enhance the effect, but once again, you can't experience it with a magazine in your hand, or even a glass of wine or "whatever". it requires a certain focus that took me a very long time to develop. it can be very exciting and satisfying, but you also have to put monetary issues aside at one point.

No, you're not crazy -- you are right on.