I love the cable believer camp!
I'm a believer and I couldn't leave her if I tried!
After so many cables and power cords, then dismantling a big(ish in this as-far-as-you-want-to-go world system and now rebuilding another new system especially over the last year or so, I'm confident that cables are and should be treated as components. Spending commensurate with their level.
And great cables, especially ones that agree with your sonic palate, are great cables no matter what but still benefit from matching to the component they're attached to. In my experience, power cords are the most influential on a system's sound...sort of a wall out approach.
There are bang for buck cables and you can hear a difference, but sometimes less of one and it's generally less impactful than other cords. I used to think of cables as a "finishing" sort of endeavor and still start with speakers, then match amp and source before cabling and yet try to hold on to the best cables to my ear while selling off other gear when that time comes around...go figure.
Dropping some coin on power cords can yield seriously impactful results. Most recently I've had Synergistic Research CTS digital and analog and Atmosphere X level 2 and 3, PS Audio AC-12, different TWL's and and Audio Envy on my DACs (Cary 306/200, now AMR DP777SE) and integrateds (VPI 299D, now Leben CS600).
And I've kept coming back to BMI. They may be an off brand, but Brian can really build an amazing cable. His Oceanic Statement recently blew a cable non-believer friend of mine's mind and he's now an ecstatic convert feeling like the "fidelity [he's] hearing from [his] system has doubled." My system can't do without one...or two! It's an astonishing upgrade to my system on my DAC and amp, but especially DAC...and my friend's system too, on his tube integrated.
AND, recently, I've rediscovered Dynamic Design. Omystarsandgarters! A Heritage cord on my Leben CS600 has made a remarkable and huge sonic upgrade to my system with even smother, more natural and palpable presence with clarity, dynamics and detail - control with swing - and an even more layered, big quiet stage. Really a treat - especially sharing it with my wife - she's got a great ear, a large palate for enjoying music and the blessing and curse of perfect pitch (painful to hear me sing....even ( and maybe especially) in the shower....apparenly!).
Anyway, with what I'm (we're) hearing, I'd think Dynamic Designs would be in a lot of systems! BMI, too! I'm looking forward to hearing what DD's more recent iterations offer - yes, admittedly an enthusiast like that! So, spend what you can, listen on up and enjoy the tunes! I like my system to be a tranporting magic carpet ride.
HA! Looks like I started and ended with song quotes showing my age...oh well....it was my birthday yesterday and I'm flying that flag high! 62 pretty good years that are getting better and better lately. Go figure.