Although I have not heard cables that are $10,000, nor do I probably have a system or ears that could really hear the difference, my general experience in moving up the expensive ladder of audio gear is that most times, one is chasing a 10-15% difference in sound for many thousands of additional dollars. It is a diminishing return. Is the $10,000 amp twice as good as the $5,000 amp? highly unlikely. Is there an audible difference? Possibly. Whether that audible difference is worth twice the money is a personal choice. Do cables sound different? Many do, even at non-exotic prices. Can you get 90% of the performance of "super-exotic" cables for substantially less? Highly likely. Whether its cables, power amps, preamps or DAC's, I suspect that that 10% is a financial killer. Is it worth it? Its personal choice and disposable income.
If you have the bucks to blow on $50,000 power amp, $60,000 speakers, etc, maybe whether a 10% improvement in cables is worth another $10,000 is simply not a factor -- you want the best at any cost. But if you have a much smaller budget, seems to me that that 10% simply is not worth chasing.
