DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

 Whenever somebody starts off with "my system consists of 35K retail worth of equipment" it's a good indicator of the type of individual you're dealing with. I've swapped so many pieces in and out to get to where Im at I wouldn't even have a clue of what the retail of my system is!   And more importantly I wouldn't even think to state that  as a qualifier! It's pretty much meaningless… 
 And you're the one that doesn't state anything as if it's an opinion. You stated definitively that if people think cables don't matter they should get their ears checked. 
 But yet I'm the know it all… 

Yeah whatever, keep making your ASSumptions. Like I said before it was only used as a context in what I am doing with my system.  I’ve heard great cheaper systems. I have heard great systems with things like bookshelf Sonus faber toys and a small name amplifier. Anyway I’m not here to convince you who I am. I have been blessed to hear entry level equipment all the way to the super high end. I settled with my equipment based on performance not price. As you see most of my gear is not from the big names in audio.  I’ve done my research well and I enjoy my system and cabling.  What works for you works for you. We will never probably hear each other’s systems.  My system is actually up in a video on the Lone Star Audio Fest page. I’m happy with it and how I got to it. I hope you are with yours. Best wishes. 

@elizabeth I agree with you. Some speakers have some pretty unique design improvements. My gato Fm6 have some pretty unique things that they do with the crossover as well as other things. My dac is made by the brother of the inventor of the ess Sabre chip. KR audio just sent me there newly developed just released Kt88 tubes. I have nothing against vintage gear but there have been technological advances in the hobby as well as in digital that I’m taking advantage of. I’m enjoying my run and my system. I have nothing against the budget guys or vintage guys. I think I have created a great sound And system that nobody else will have in terms of my combination of gear and cabling.

My impression is that high end audio since the 90's went down into a rabbit hole, which I would describe as 'data dump'. The majority of  designers seem to focus on the highest possible resolution, as if the essence of music can best be communicated with maximum detail retrieval. Whether or not you agree with this is not the point.

My point is that cables will make a huge difference in 'data dump' systems, where just about everything makes a difference. In a way these are unstable systems, not unlike complex systems in nature on the verge of chaos (climate change comes to mind). They yield the highest 'information density', which can be exhilarating as well as highly unpredictable and volatile. You hear everything, but the musical message easily gets 'lost in translation'. 

By comparison well designed vintage systems are more stable, being less 'close to the edge'. System balance is not that easily disturbed and the 'fabric' of the music remains intact, no matter what cables you use.

Sound familiar?

Old thread and ancient topic, but my .02...........Worked on top shelf military electronics for 45 years and we never worried about "better"
cables until well up into the Ghz range.............Any cable, properly designed and terminated for the prescribed use should easily pass any electrical signals passing through it, period. Can cables sound "different" ? I guess they can or people wouldn't spend ridiculous sums for them. I suppose it comes down to your money, your choice, but I honestly think there are far better ways to improve your system sound than mega-buck wires.....................it is after all, simply wire with a dielectric. It should do nothing more than transfer a signal from point A to B.............If you have money to burn and it makes you happy, enjoy.