whats the very best sounding cables for realistic money

@mains, I like your thinking ( and writing), and believe you have a good head on your shoulders. Much of what you posted is in sync with my beliefs.
As far as making a recommendation, so much is system dependent, that it is hard to make a blanket recommendation.
Could you give us a list of your components? Are you using RCA or balanced interconnects?
Thanks Bob

As you have probably reaiized, there is no one correct answer. Most of us probably feel pretty strongly about the cables we use or just "the cable debate" in general. I love Silent Source cables. At this point I can't see using any others. They aren't cheap but the money one spends definitely goes towards the actual product rather than marketing. 

That being said, I went to a workshop at the RMAF a few years ago that was all about "cables". It actually wasn't promoting a particular brand or product. The workshop highlighted the impact that "like brand/type" cables can have on a system. They started with a mixed bag of good quality cables. The system sounded fine. However, when they switched out the cables for all the same brand/type the system came to life. The timing and coherence were noticeably better. It was one of the best workshops I ever attended and it has helped me ever since. Good luck on your quest!

soundstring!

See the custom cable ensemble I am using on my system details page. 

The Analysis Plus Pro Power Oval power cord with Wattgate plug for less than a hundred bucks for one meter length is not chopped liver.