Cables-how can you be sure of authenticity?

Indeed I would say I have a biased opinion of interconnects because I think now I was exposed to a fake Cardas Golden Reference.

I think I would chose to not know;because it would confirm I ain't to bright,and now my money is gone.

I am sure they exist, but I agree with other respondents, whats the point. It would be expensive to set up production of a convincing fake, the market for high end cable is small and most of all, how do you distribute them To justify production costs, you are going to have to shift a few thousand units. how are you going to do that? E-bay, you would die of old age before you made a profit. There are easier ways to make a dishonest living.
I would also say, I am definely impressed by decent cable. I use all Acoustic Zen, that seems to give an improvement at least equivelant to a major equipment upgrade. Once you've got it, a loom can last many years.