Interesting and as always controversial thread. On the cable/interconnect thing, I have two opinions......and little practical experience to back either up, so take that for what's it's worth :)
While I do believe that different cables, IC's etc. can sound different in different systems, I think the cost of many of the "boutique" stuff is absurd. Ultimately, it's wire with some nice connectors. You can twist it, shield it, comb it, braid it, cryo it, use different dielectrics, play with the gauges, but in the end...........it's still wire.
Perhaps if I had deeper pockets I could and would play that game, but I'm of the mind that any properly designed cable, interconnect or wire, should get you at LEAST 90% of the way there...............better ways to spend your money..................Maybe I'll try some 12/2 romex just for fun. :)
While I do believe that different cables, IC's etc. can sound different in different systems, I think the cost of many of the "boutique" stuff is absurd. Ultimately, it's wire with some nice connectors. You can twist it, shield it, comb it, braid it, cryo it, use different dielectrics, play with the gauges, but in the end...........it's still wire.
Perhaps if I had deeper pockets I could and would play that game, but I'm of the mind that any properly designed cable, interconnect or wire, should get you at LEAST 90% of the way there...............better ways to spend your money..................Maybe I'll try some 12/2 romex just for fun. :)