whats the very best sounding cables for realistic money

If you can find them, AR (Acoustic Research) Pro Series II high-purity, oxygen-free copper, multi-stranded conductors. No longer made can be found on the internet (sometimes), and should be very inexpensive.

You owe it to yourself to look up Triode Wire Labs (TWL). Best sounding, reasonable priced power cables I've heard. I went through a few brands at double and higher the price. TWL won for my system. Ill never use another. Pete's SC's and IC's are great, too, and there is definitely a synergy there going all TWL but there are so many out there, you can go whatever direction you'd like...but going all TWL for power makes for a quiet, organic, full bodies sound. The option to have certain cables for high power, digital and other makes for great system matching, as well. 

Mains, you owe it to yourself to try Teo Audio Game Changer interconnects.

He offers a very generous money-back guarantee, so if you don't like them,  the most you'll be out is the cost of the postage.

@jriggy Which Triode Wire Labs PCs did you go with? Thanks.

geoff,

you are funny and intelligent with a wealth of knowledge its great when you add your 5 cents even if your having a go at me sometimes, thank you for your honesty and passion after years of hifi you can go mad, but to me you sound quite sane (ish) meant as a compliment