why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

bar81

... I decided that $30k ish was my upper limit for any amp. Then I heard the D’Agostino M400 and decided that it would increase my personal enjoyment of my system to such a degree, that although I still deemed the price ridiculous, it would be money well spent. Here I am a couple of months later and I now feel that it was a "bargain" ...

I understand completely and I think many audiophiles can relate to this. My introduction to the high end of audio was an ARC D76A amplifier that a friend of mine bought used for $600 back around 1980. I thought that was crazy-money for a 60 watt amp - until he let me try it in my system. Then I saw the light. Adjusted for inflation, that $600 would be about $1,900 today. That now seems to me a rather modest price for an audiophile amp.

Had expensive, had less expensive. 
Belden 1694a and lc-1 have been the very best quality, sound, price cable I have ever owned.  And you can use that extra money for more music, or another preamp, speakers if you want. 

Dont drink the oil 

System dependent.  If you have great components and sources. You should get quality cabling. It depends on what you like. I have a system that consists of that I have 35k in components and speakers retail.  I have about 7k retail in cabling and power cords.  I’m extremley happy with my system.  Cheap cabling didn’t work for me.  I’m extermley happy and I’m done. All I do is look for music now.  Do what works for you. If you have a system that’s not resolving and transparent then cabling is less of a factor. 

32k system here . $400 in cables . Do what you have to do .