What process do you use to purchase cables?

This thread has inspired what may be my best idea ever. I strongly believe there is a huge hole in the audio gear review market for a hi-fi product reviewer who can provide really powerful reviews of products without ever hearing them first. I know, it sounds kind of crazy but stay with me here because here’s how I will win your confidence. I’m going to review each product almost solely by reading other people’s reviews of the products and at the end of my process even talking to the manufacturer who is trying to sell the product for a profit.

I believe there’s a captive audience waiting to be had and I’m certain I can be wildly successful using this model - The Reviewer Who Reviews Gear by Reading Reviews! It’s brilliant and I’m certain to have instant credibility because it’s such a novel approach.

Yes, I know...it sounds ridiculous because it is. No one will ever hire me because I would lack total credibility. There’s only one place someone can get "published" who takes such an approach - right here.

When looking for a new IC or speaker cable, I read the manufactures web site data.  If they have 5 to 10 levels of cable, be wary.  Most cable companies offer a 15 to 30 money back trial, shipping on the buyer.  2nd step is to see what the Agon or ebay etc have used from the company.  I choose the ones that aren't sold second hand for the most part.  Zu speaker cables and Audio Envy are very hard to find in the used market.  When I get the new cable, replace one and leave my original in place.  Zu and Audio Envy never go back.  My Morrow Audio ICs are currently being replaced.

"If they have 5 to 10 levels of cable, be wary."

Honest question, why? I guess they do that to appeal to 
every possible budget. That seems to be Morrow's marketing
plan, constant upgrade up their line.
 

For speaker cables, try calling your speakers manufacturer and see what cables they use to demo their speakers at shows. They should be able to give you a good suggestion since they are trying to have their speakers sound well in that setting. 

Mike

If you like what you have, good. That's an excellent place to start.

Now, before you spend another dime, test every candidate IN YOUR SYSTEM and see if any of them is worth the money. That's for interconnect and speaker cable.

Then there's power. I did the following test:
1. bought a classy isolation transformer, and sited it a utility room, because they tend to growl when on duty;
2. tested three expensive power cords on a standard plug; each sounded better than the stock power cord;
3. tested same three expensive power cords on an isolated plug, and they all sounded the same as the stock power cord; and better than any from step 2.
This led me to conclude that an isolation transformer does what an expensive power cord does, except better, and for less money. And then there's the added benefit of protection of expensive equipment, which was my main consideration.

You asked what I did. That's it, and it worked for me. Tested every candidate IN MY SYSTEM. No reviewers. No know-all posters. No BS. Just experiment.