ZD542 and Mitch - I can only speak to what has transpired in my system, here goes...
A few years back I purchased a NAIM 5i integrated amp - mainly because it was the one amp that impressed me under around $6k and since my budget was much less it was a good fit
It's NAIM's entry level - but the reason I liked it soooo much was it's amazing clarity, natural tones and punch - and the reason for that is it's passive front end.
Moving on - Shortly thereafter I was asked to review some cables - I've gone on about the KLE Innovations stuff on this forum countless times, so I'll cut to the chase.
The Interconnects and Speaker cables have enhanced the performance of this little 50 watt amp so much that it now performs way above it's modest price point of $1700
I have compared my system against others costing between $30-50k and it's right there with them - and even bettering some of them :-)
So - are cables worth it - since my system costs around $14k - $3k of that spent on cables - in my mind - damn right their worth it, i.e. if you can get the right cables - the trouble is which one is the right cable?
The KLE Innovations cables have surprised me time and again by how much better each next model in the product lineup is.
Even their entry level cables has outperformed many of the "established" brands for significantly less cost.
Moving on...
Fortunately, I have been able to fabricate many of my own cables, but the one thing that came out of that exercise was my realization that cable geometry (or architecture) and connector quality is paramount for the best performing cables.
Exotic materials will suffer the same effects as copper if the architecture is the same old twisted pair - resulting in performance that is less than stellar.
Having said all that ZD is correct - if you don't see the value in them then don't chase expensive cables.
I would also add - if you don't have the inclination to learn about "cable science" - don't chase expensive cables either - many of them are not worth their price.
But if you are inquisitive, investigate companies like Anti-cables, Nordost, Shunyata, KLE Innovations and others - especially those that have more interesting cable geometries and theories.
Unfortunately - it is really difficult to acquire knowledge in this area - cable science is relatively new and most companies guard their secrets very well. And to protect copyright they often cite "strange theories" that sound absurd and can be construed as "marketing hype".
Sometimes you just have to read between the lines.
Personally - I have found the spiral geometry - where the neutral conductor is wound around the signal conductor - like Anti Cables Interconnects - to offer extremely good performance for cables of all types - even for power cables!
The other thing is - to get the full benefit from cables - ALL other cables in your system have to be of similar quality.
So - I'm on the "quality cables" bandwagon - but I research the heck out of any new cable and try before I buy.
But I can see why so many others claim otherwise
They just haven't tried the right cables - yet :-)
