I chose all my other equipment first using good but relatively inexpensive used cables, then I upgraded cables to the point where I was happy with the synergy of the system as a whole -- spending as little as possible to achieve that. Whatever percentage that is, it is. And I imagine this varies greatly among all of us here, so I think it's not useful or even appropriate to assign a dollar amount or percentage to it (within reason of course -- nobody should spend 90% of their budget on wires, but maybe anything south of 50% should be fair game especially if power cables are included). At this point it becomes about where my best incremental dollar is spent as per @twoleftears above.
@elizabeth I also begrudgingly know power cables make a big difference but just don't want to spend big $$$ there (I know this is irrational as I too have spent a lot on interconnects and speaker cables, but there it is). I'm going to make my own with some good bulk cable (i.e. Oyaide, Furutech, DH Labs, etc.) and good connectors (Wattgate, etc.) since it really does seem quite easy even for an idiot like me. My guess is for about the same cost as the Pangeas and not much time and effort I can have PCs that rival $1000+ brand name models. Anyway...
@elizabeth I also begrudgingly know power cables make a big difference but just don't want to spend big $$$ there (I know this is irrational as I too have spent a lot on interconnects and speaker cables, but there it is). I'm going to make my own with some good bulk cable (i.e. Oyaide, Furutech, DH Labs, etc.) and good connectors (Wattgate, etc.) since it really does seem quite easy even for an idiot like me. My guess is for about the same cost as the Pangeas and not much time and effort I can have PCs that rival $1000+ brand name models. Anyway...