Cable Costs Relative to System


Since making a spread sheet with my audio system prices, I have been thinking(shocked) about my total investment in cables. My total system retails at $67,000 (Digital and analog front ends included). I purchased all of it here on Audiogon so my investment is about 50%. Of that I have about 10% invested in interconnects and cables and another 10% in Power Cables (Shunyata Hydra included). That's $13,000 worth of wire. I'm starting to question whether it might be more effective to put some of this budget into acitve components. It would take forever to listen to all possible combinations, but would like to hear others experiences with relatively high end systems and cable selection. It would seem to me that the point of diminishing returns would be reached sooner with cables than with speakers and amps. Do most of you follow the 10% "rule" for cabling? How do PCs fit into this rule? Are there any super bargain cables capable of keeping up with highly resolving electronics?
metaphysics
I have read that many have spent quite a bit in thier systems. My question is, What kind of transformers and power supplies are in these components? I am talking mainly about power cords and conditioners. Maybe a modification to the transformer ( better transformer) or power supply would render better results. It is hard to believe that with the amount invested that the components would not already have top notch discrete components inside. I can see why one would question the investment in power cords and conditioners. Speaker cables and interconnects are a different story.
I wouldn't even worry about power cords except to put a decent budget upgrade on until you have brought the interconnects and speaker wire to a highly improved state
Wow you got a lot of crazy responses. Don't make this rocket science cause it aint. First, demo some cables in a reasonable price range and see what works best in your system. If you are using very high-end gear to begin with, you should not have to spend That much on cables and I would advise against it. For example, I have listened to both Linn and Simaudio gear with Musaeus (an inexpensive cable) and I would not ever bother to go much beyond it with that gear. You will spend tons of $$$$ for an incremental improvement. By all means experiment but, Dont go crazy. IMO Purist offers great value in their entry to mid level cables. So does Kimber. Good luck.
Recently had a chance to try Morrow Audio interconnects and speaker cables. Mike Morrow is one man who loves audio and it's reproduction in the home. His cables will blow you away for a budget price of around $200 to $600. PLUS YOU GET 60 DAYS NO HASSLE RETURN AND REFUND..no hoops or fine print. FYI, I've had $20K plus cables from Transparent and MIT...these are better:O)
blow you away for a budget price of around $200 to $600 FYI, I've had $20K plus cables from Transparent and MIT...these are better

I wish I could be blown away so easily as one piece of wire versus another. My tin ears I guess.