XLR cable for basic beginner

A 6 foot pair of Mogami Studio Gold will be well under budget. new. Find 'em at Guitar Center.

Rok2id,
It's all a matter of opinion, why is your opinion more valid than any other opinions? The original poster asked for opinions, I gave him mine. He can do with it what he wants, including ignoring it if he wishes, no problem. Opinions are opinions, nothing more, including yours.

My opinion is that the listed components cost over $10,000 and some effort is warranted in finding a synergistic IC.

If an excellent IC can be found for $100, great! But perhaps $250 to $500 might be more realistic. I'm talking used here.
Would you put $29.99 tires on a $100,000 car Mr. Know-it-all?

Your only bone of contention, was the MSRP of the cable. You said he 'wasted' his money on the system because he did not buy an oracle-endorsed cable. I stand by my categorization of your statement. Apologize to the OP and say you spoke in haste without thinking it through. I have done that and offered an apology. And if you want to recommend a cable, give some reason other than MSRP, which is just haphazard at best, and has no relationship to performance or cost to produce.

"Would you put $29.99 tires on a $100,000 car Mr. Know-it-all?"

I would put whatever tire the manufacturer recommended. They engineered the car to perform with a certain type / size and even brand of tire. Do audio makers do the same? I assume the cord they ship with the gear has been found to be entirely satisfactory.
And I wouldn't say I know it ALL.
All Opinions are not equal. Sometimes a person does not even have enough information to have or offer an opinion.

I quote: "Monster cable? You're wasting the money you spent on the rest of the system!"

I stand by my opinion and feel no need to apologize for anything nor do I feel that I have insulted anyone.
Additionally, I never mentioned Oracle or any "endorsed" cable.

All I am saying is that the quality of the components deserves some experimentation in selecting an appropriate IC and that $100 might not do it. I see nothing controversial about that OPINION! And it is just an opinion, based on personal experience, which may prove to be incorrect. Perhaps there is an outstanding IC in that price range that I don't know about. I'm always open to that possibility! In fact I would welcome it!

You should learn how to read accurately before getting hot under the collar and making groundless accusations.