How good does my system have to be to realize an improvement with cables?

agree that 50% of component cost for cable probably doesn't make sense...some manufacturers sell their own demo or refurbished cables for reduced cost, so you're getting used without counterfeit worries...though another recent thread discussed how good some obvious counterfeits sounded..(obvious, as in $5,000 cable selling new for $50 )...remember, trying cables to improve your system can be fun, and doesn't have to cost anything to try 

I am totally “out experienced” here.
I probably only have 40 hours all in, with determining what to get, ordering it, physically making the cables, and the time I needed to work to get the funds… but I figured if the studios that are recording and mixing are using Mogami and Cardas by the kilometer(s), then if I use the same I should not loosing a  lot… Any loss would already be gone before I got the album.

However most of those studios are probably on XLR now, so maybe consider selling you gear and getting the XLR based gear, which is less fussy with cables.

danager-the smartest, most cost-effective way to address your concern is to enjoy listening to music and stay away from audio forums.

@tablejockey +1 to that.  Where were you when I started this thing?  For every minor change I have hours and hours of research. The good part is that I can listen while I study.

@tablejockey +1 (very wise and sage advice there.)

if it sounds good, then the “fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) is mostly coming from reading the forum.
So if it sounds good, then just enjoy it.