Smooth Highs and Deep Bass

Maybe something from Darwin Cables will do. For me, they offer all you ask as well as what I was looking for: extension at both ends with solid and well defined bass, clarity, and articulation. Balanced and complete, with no hype or exaggeration. It's the old and cliched "open window" description but it applies here in spades, or should I say RCAs. :-)

 It's 1/5th over your budget but give them a call; they might have some B-stock

All the best,
Nonoise

I would give Time Portal Reference a try a used one is in that price range.

I would suggest trying a pair of Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference.

This exercise is a noble effort but unless someone has your exact system AND close proxy in listening environment (with all its non- subtle warts) it's just (regrettably ) just a blind stab at best.


These blind recommendations are predicated on a heavily biased and anecdotal personal value judgement pushing their own personal faves with a minimal to nil probability of actually working in your system .

As you have already highlighted, system synergy matters "big time" and one size does not fit all .... The various cables all have unique sonic signatures that vary with the rest of your system  - full stop.

FWIW there is no substitute for the time consuming (contemporaneously rewarding and frustrating ) actual hands-on auditioning with a swap-in and swap-out of contenders and pretenders. The only ethereal constant thst I have experienced is that a first start is to experiment with:

(a) the same brand (and quality strata ) as the speaker cables and/or;
(a) recommendations from dealers or audio expos for cables with your electronics and/or speakers.

This frustrating yet rewarding step in this hobby is a weaving and pedantic journey to Oz , and not any finite quick short circuit to a silver bullet prescribed destination.