ozzy,
Maybe better/nicer finish? Just guessing. And a lots of marketing/earned reputation (that is another can of worms). And the need to cover for all the overhead, marketing included, that you do not have to worry about. Then, you did not make your cable to make money while Audioquest has to make money. It all adds up. I am not sure to how much, but it is not negligible. Then comes the question "how much will the market bear" and you end up with $9800.
"What does it have that my DIY does not?"
Maybe better/nicer finish? Just guessing. And a lots of marketing/earned reputation (that is another can of worms). And the need to cover for all the overhead, marketing included, that you do not have to worry about. Then, you did not make your cable to make money while Audioquest has to make money. It all adds up. I am not sure to how much, but it is not negligible. Then comes the question "how much will the market bear" and you end up with $9800.