I can hear differences even among cheap cables. When I set up my vintage system recently, using a pair of the original Quad ESLs and a restored pair of Quad II amps with real GEC KT 66s, my plan was no fancy cable. When I originally used the Quads, back in ’73, there was no such thing as fancy cable. So, I bought some decent quality 12 gauge copper stranded cable. It sounded fine. A friend who had more recent experience with the Quad (mine were stored for decades before being restored), suggested the Canare 4S11, which was cheap too (at least by "audiophile" standards of pricing). The Canare was less harsh than the generic 12 gauge copper. I’m not going to fuss over it any more than that, because it is contrary to the spirit of that system.
As for all encompassing views on topics such as wire, digital v analog, tube or solid state or original pressings v remasters, I take it on a case by case basis--my system, my ears, my pocket book. I use high quality audiophile cable in my main system, but it hasn’t really changed for years--when I did studied comparisons in my room, on my gear, I chose the cable that performed the best for me with my components and my sonic preferences. With that settled, I focus on buying records. It’s a whole lot more interesting, opens new avenues of music, history, culture and the personal joy of discovery.
