Why not?

@gs5556 The analogy with tires is actually a pretty good one since all new cars come with tires selected by the manufacturer. That's the way they get reviewed and tested too.  I get it that then you can also opt for "hi-performance" or longer life tires, but, unlike audio cables there is a ton of objective data to help you make a rational choice. Same goes for the fuel, we do have octane ratings after all.

I have heard and read enough high end designers on the record talking about the complex and sophisticated physics and engineering that they employ in deciding how things get chosen inside the unit. I strongly suspect they could make similar information available to use consumers to help us make more informed decisions about the relatively simple connectors for these units.  However I also am aware there is a VERY lucrative niche industry that likes the status quo.

Although this thread seems to be devolving, I’ll bring up two companies that I know ‘step up’ to recommend cables, and even supply cables. (2) Schiit recommends two companies that provide interconnect cables for their components: Straight Wire and Snake Oil, they are listed on their website, and I can only assume that they are the alternate suppliers of Schiit’s Pyst cables. (2) Musical Fidelity provides directional RCA cables to connect their turntables to your system which I can verify work very well. 

@holmz 

I was talking about the components not the cord!

@oldrooney point well taken.

Here is our list so far:

Brumester
Audio Note
PS Audio?
Krell
Schiit
Musical Fidelity

Have you ever seen a bone-stock Harley? The after market industry (including their own) is ripe with every conceivable thing you can hang, bolt, glue or screw on one that make the bike different from someone else’s. Whether or not these additions improve the bike is open for debate.