why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable


I have tried expensive cables and one's moderately priced. I would say there were some differences but I can't actually say the expensive cables were better. IMHO I believe a lot of people buy expensive cables because they don't actual trust their ears and are afraid of making a mistake. They figure the expensive cables are better for the fact they cost more. If you have a difference of opinion or share the same thoughts, I would like to hear about it.
taters
Glad to see you bought into the MIT, Transparent "network" Dave, good for you. I once owned a pair of MIT cables, specifically the 770 for tube electronics, talk about specific for the application. Believe me, no objections, very nice in that system, I believe they retailed in the 3K figure at the time in the early 2000's. Problem was those network boxes climed above the floor, a no no with my then Merlin VSM speakers which required a dedicated support for that heavy network box. I couldn't tighten the lugs sufficiently to keep the spades from sliding off.  In my experience, maybe not as extensive as yours, is there are MANY fine alternative cables that will work in ANY application, there is no black and white better. After all, it is more often than not about taste and specific application, wouldn't you agree? 

One objection about MIT and Transparent, their upper lines are too pricey for cables, ANY cables period. I have sufficient experience owning and listening to countless cables over the years to know. When cables climb above 5 digit prices we are not talking about sound anymore contrary to some thinking, we are then in the realm of marketing and what one is willing and able to pay.
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To do list.

1. Pick a price point.

2. Identify each and every cable at or below that point.

3. Acquire (buy, beg, borrow, steal) examples of each.

4. Perform extensive comparative listening tests.

5. Months later, exhausted, announce to the world your findings and ratings.

6. Explain why everyone else under the sun, including those who have heard some of those cables and many who have not, disagree completely with your findings.

7. Repeat.

I agree with pricing getting out of hand but not the complaints about ancient designs that were cumbersome.  In 2018 you can get most of the SOTA sound for a fraction of the cost it once was.  
I understand  everyone. I recently compared clarity to cables 4 times its price and the other cable did a few things better but overall clarity was different but on par with them. If you putting together a high end system u can save some money there and get better electronics and you won’t miss a beat