Do expensive cables/wires REALLY make a difference

@rpnz  Let sleeping dogs lie.

I suspect that one of the problems here results from the fact that a little bit of research yields very different suggestions/ideas/products and therefore, confusion.... Here is a quote from Sanders Sound.. " At Sanders Sound Systems, we make no extravagant or false statements about our cables and interconnects. We do not claim that they sound any better than any other well-designed product out there. Our speaker cables are specifically designed NOT to alter the frequency response or sound quality of your loudspeakers. We believe that the speaker manufacturer knows how to get the best sound from their speakers and that we should not interfere with their design.  We offer two distinctly different types of speaker cable. One is for driving electrostatic loudspeakers and the other is for driving magnetic loudspeakers".


OK....how can you argue with the idea that each manufacturer of speakers or electronics that also sells their own cables would sell the cables that go best with what they make.  In that light....here are links to 4 different cables being offered by companies that primarily make speakers or electronics...and as you will see, the cables are all different from each other...and different from what you see being offered by the high end cable sellers.  No doubt, if you are considering upgrading/changing your cables, you will be more confused after you check these links.

http://sanderssoundsystems.com/products/speaker-cables-and-interconnects/speaker-cables

https://www.cherryamp.com/product-page/6-speaker-snakes-pair

https://www.decware.com/newsite/speakercables.htm

http://gr-research.com/b-6speakercables-2.aspx

I'm what you would call a skeptic (beyond a certain point).  I never used zip cord for instance, but won't spend a ton.

I try cables in and out of the system here and there.

I can say that I am 100% convinced that the USB cable upgrade to my DAC made a big difference, didn't want it to, went blind testing with a neighbor etc.  It made a difference.

Speaker cables, pretty sure I've heard one cable make a big difference form my 4S11 - Reality Cables, they brightened things up.  I don't use them, but I'm pretty sure it made a difference.

Interconnects, not hearing much, but use Mogami XLR so they are quality.

Power cords, where I was a HUGE skeptic. Happened to get a PS Audio AC3 as part of a deal.  Tried it on a few amps, I HATE to admit it, I'm 85% sure it made a difference, it wasn't expensive and so I kept it.  

Recently tried a few cords on my DAC... begrudgingly I think once again the AC3 made a difference (sharper, slightly brighter tighter sound).  Hate saying that, but AC3's can be had for just over 100 bucks. So why not.  Have one more on the way for my pre-amp.

(if anything, the better plugs are nice in the wall)

I did try a nordost power cord on the DAC and don't think I heard as big of a difference as I did with the AC3.  Again, makes no sense.  The electricity travels through literally miles of copper before it gets here, why that cord would make a difference - no sense to me.  Yet, I'm pretty sure it did.  Frustrating for sure.

But also borrowed a few high dollar power cords, didn't sound much different than the AC3, so not going there.

Anybody (who says the interconnect and power cable make different sound) is a liar. Except for very mechanically poor cables, there is no sound difference using different cables. Monster cables (less than $50 per pair, no matter with length) are good in terms of connectivity. Pangea cables good (except cables for digitals), too (not expensive, mechanically strong). I had two AudioQuest interconnect cables, which made poor connections between preamp and CD player (one channel didn't sound, re-connection sometimes worked). Kimber, PBJ, is another example of bad cable. When I used it to connect Sanui turntable and preamp, the cable picked up a lot of noise (hum). I replaced it with $10-cable, then the hum disappeared. There was no sonic difference between them, except for the hum noise. Why do you ask anyone if any better sound using higher-$-cables? Just do it yourself! Buy <$5-Radioshack and any $20-cable. Then, try them with your audio system. Don't be surprised when you can not tell any difference!