Cable Costs Relative to System

As a response to Meta's question: "Is there anybody using
$50k audio system. If yes, please
let us in on the magic."

Well, my system is only $40K, and my wire is anything but
"magic," but since no one else has answered:

Wadia 860 CDP
Panasonic SV-3700 DAT
Fanfare FT-1A tuner
Audio Research LS-5mkII preamp
(2) Audio Research D-400mkII amps
Kinetic Audio Labyrinth speakers

All ICs/cables are DIY:

Canare L-4E6S balanced ICs with Neutrik gold-tip XLRs for
sources/preamp/amps. Parts cost: $10 per 6ft pair. Total
system cost: $50.

Canare DA-206 AES/EBU digital ICs between CDP/DAT. Parts
cost: $15 per 6ft pair. Total system cost: $15.

Canare 4S11 speaker cables. Total parts cost: $15 per 10ft
pair. Total system cost: $30.

No "upgraded" power cords or power conditioners.

Total "wire" cost for system: $95 or 0.2% of component cost.

As I mentioned in another thread, I used to swap out cables
a bunch in my previous system (XLO 3 was the last brand
name) before my system became fully balanced and I started
rolling my own ICs/cables.

Now I'm not going to tell you that these are the best ICs
and/or cables, etc. I will tell you that in my system I
have never bettered the resolution I achieve with my current
Canare ICs/cables. That includes other DIYs and brand names.

Maybe it's because they're DIY? Maybe it's because balanced
systems are less sensitive to cable differences? I don't
profess to know the answer, only that it has allowed me to
get off the IC/cable merry-go-round without looking back
once.

But, the more important question: system investment vs.
music investment. With approx. 1700 CDs my total music cost
is somewhere near $20K (assume $12/cd) or 50% of my system
cost.

Right now (and for the past few years) my main focus is
increasing the music cost beyond the system cost.

Everybody's sytem is different and everyone has a bias (and some need it adjusted ..Ha Ha!)! I've owned the $18K rigs and the $1k rigs...depending on the synergy between components, you may wind up with a mix of on the cheap stuff and expensive! Ideally, cable should allow your components(if up to the challenge)to convey the full color of the recording in your home...unalterd!! My preference is Harmonic Tech or Acoustic Zen (someone on this site turned me on to AZ). These cables simply let the music flow with any gear...the full richness and tonal purity of the recording is allowed to fill the room...goosebumps are common!!

I believe the cable cost shouldn't be more than 15% of your total system cost. I've done many comparisons over the past 3 years ( over 2 dozen cables.) and only found less than 5 cable makers that made my "acceptable" list regardless of the price. Even from these companies, only certain model and above made the list. I even tried DIY interconnects but just doesn't sound as good as the ones made by professionals.
It is really up to the listener to figure out if it is worth the extra 100% to 300% to get that extra 5 to 15% improvement. Most importantly is system matching.

Here is my favorite cable manufature list:

Audio Note AN-Vx and AN-Vz
Stealth Audio Cable M-21 special
NBS King Serpent and higher
Nordost SPM and higher

I tried to get cable for $500 as my cap. I would pay a little bit more if there is enough improvement to my system.

Let me chime in my two bits, for what's it worth. I agree with Trelja's sentiments but I feel he doesn't go far enough. I recently purchased a pair of HG Silver Lace IC's (beloved by Gonphiles and 47 reviewers on Audioreview) and they sound fine. The problem is that so did my cheap Audio Advisor house brand IC's which are 10 years old.

I noticed no difference in my system with the HG's. If you think my system is not revealing enough, guess again: my speakers are Hales T8's with CJ and Threshold front end.

I do not doubt that there are some of you that hear concrete, definable differences in cables. However, there IS a lot of smoke and mirrors with cables and purchase of ANY cable is frought with pitfalls. I really wonder what percentage of cable 'benefit' falls into the pycho-acoustic realm. As the adage goes, buyer beware.

Russellrcncom, I agree with you. The only problem with all of these testimonials is that they all have to be believed by faith. We hear over and over how much better people's systems sound with inclusion of cable brand X.

My disbelief stems from me being confident that I have maximized my listening pleasures without reliance on cable swapping.