Using 2 different brands of interconnects?

To be clear, do you mean I might or might not notice the difference between cheap and  expensive cables, or I might not notice the difference between matched cables from two different companies?

I can afford what I can afford. Surely a $60 cable is better than a two dollar one, which is something like what I have now.

"...I'm trying to minimize having to fiddle around by getting it right in the first place..."

The secret is to know what your system needs and buying the right cable to make your system sound the way you want it. Experience with a lot of cables helps but you can also get a consensus from the web or call the manufacturer for recommendations. 
Example: If your system is too bright, you probably don't want to add a silver, or other bright sounding cable. 

"...Surely a $60 cable is better than a two dollar one..."

Better in what way? Sound? Maybe, maybe not. 

OP,
Can you list what you have in your system?  Cable costs should scale with the system cost.

A 100$ interconnect may or may not be good enough depends on the existing components.