Do expensive cables/wires REALLY make a difference


Im fairly new to the hifi world and just recently purchased a couple of high end peices.my question is this:ive been reading alot about cables and speaker wire,do the expensive ones really make that big of a difference???Is it really worth spending a small fortune on cables?? And is Monster Cable really overrated like ive been reading? Any help would be useful,thank you.
cwby8115
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!
r27y8u92,
So... Replace all Audioquest or Kimber cables with Radioshack cable. Got it!
It’s sad, how many fail to acknowledge the disparity of aural acuity (just like every other sense), among our species.      A good man will recognize his own limitations.      A wise man recognizes; not everyone shares the same limitations.      How many of the naysayers have actually TRIED better cables, etc, is another topic.     Then again; channelling Julian Hirsch just seems popular, in these threads.      Even if one has to resurrect a seven year old thread, to accomplish the task.
I suggest a simple solution ,  wire one speaker with one brand and the other with a different brand.  See if you hear a difference and decide for your self