why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

I have much more expense in my ICs, PCs, and speaker wires then in my electronics. I have all High Fidelity Cables having gone from their initial CT-1 ($1600 for 1 m.) and up to their Pro ($18,900 for 1 m.). Yes, that is right, almost 12 times as much!! I also had an interconnect of their Elite series. It was better than the Pro, especial its bass, but enough is enough! And the Elite weighs 154 pounds in a 6 inch diameter and 37 inches long! Where would I put these?

So where did this investment in cables get me. I should say that other components including my amp, line stage, phono stage, dac, turntable, music server, and grounding unit, also greatly contributed to my sound. But my speakers are invisible and the speaker end of my room is replaced by a three dimensional sound stage with instruments with all harmonics and finger sounds playing them and singers who breath and turn their heads. And all of these have precise locations on stages.

My only regret is that I am 79 and only now have this music with its realism and thrill. 

"But my speakers are invisible and the speaker end of my room is replaced by a three dimensional sound stage with instruments with all harmonics and finger sounds playing them and singers who breath and turn their heads. And all of these have precise locations on stages."

Hmmm....mine sounds like that I I have MonoPrice, free Kimbers and six WireWorld RCA connects I bought for 10 bucks.

@willemj

Good link to a knowledgeable person. However you don’t need any degrees or specialized training to know that “special audio cables” are and always will be a scam.

The reason cables get promoted here over real improvememts is the profit margins are huge and years of effort have gone in to brain washing audiofools to become faithful acolytes. The true benefits of special wires are HUGE in $$$$$ of profit and some self satisfaction from the proud owners - a pity they do absolutely nothing for the audio except what people choose to imagine they can hear.

Goeff said:

Even what’s his name knows what an Appeal to Authority is, which frankly is kind of shocking

"What's his name?"  Geoff....if you cannot remember my handle, please address me as Mister or Sir.