10 percent for cables ???

Buy used and keep the cables that work best in your system and that you can afford. Don't worry about the percentages.

thank you all very much. i wasn't concerned so much with the exact percentage per se, but as stated above 10% seemed to be a good guidline as any more and one might want to begin looking into upgrading components(and then cables, and then components, and then, and then...). i do understand how everything is system and room dependant, but getting 5 sets of speaker, 3 hdmi, 4 power cords, and 5 interconnects for under $400 is is proving hard to pull off. and as far as a new kitchen, i wouldn't put a $100,000 kitchen in a $250,000 house. i'd never get a return on my investment. i'd buy a better house.

10% is only a rule of thumb and not carved in stone. spend what you want on cables. shit! for all i care, spend more on your cables than you did on your system. knock yourself out!

I buy my components and cables based on the price performance ratio or 'sweet spot' of the line up that is still compatible with other components. If it means the proportion of money spent is high or low from the perceived norm it is no matter, I think it is almost impossible to put a percentage on any components cost ratio - especially lower priced items (for instance a $300 amp with $300 wire seems perfectly reasonable to me)

enough babbling, enjoy!