Cable Costs Relative to System


Since making a spread sheet with my audio system prices, I have been thinking(shocked) about my total investment in cables. My total system retails at $67,000 (Digital and analog front ends included). I purchased all of it here on Audiogon so my investment is about 50%. Of that I have about 10% invested in interconnects and cables and another 10% in Power Cables (Shunyata Hydra included). That's $13,000 worth of wire. I'm starting to question whether it might be more effective to put some of this budget into acitve components. It would take forever to listen to all possible combinations, but would like to hear others experiences with relatively high end systems and cable selection. It would seem to me that the point of diminishing returns would be reached sooner with cables than with speakers and amps. Do most of you follow the 10% "rule" for cabling? How do PCs fit into this rule? Are there any super bargain cables capable of keeping up with highly resolving electronics?
metaphysics
It's a system thing. Like one of the other posters said, they are not "accessories", they are an integral part of the "system". If you get chincy on a CDP, you will probably end-up spending more than you would like to "tone-control" out the harshness. If you buy inexpensive components, then expensive cables will probably not help the system much. However, if you spend the big bux to get components that are very extended and resolving, expensive cables will take it to a new level. You will never get the performance out of the components without spending some money on cables. You will always be limiting their performance.
Audioengr has summarized the subject--almost. There are rather inexpensive components that are stellar performers. For example, I recently purchased Channel Islands passive preamplifier. Give it a shot. Dusty's goal is to have a $6K system rival $30K ones. I'm on the bandwagon!
Save yourselves some time, energy and Hassle. Start with the Signal Cable Analogue II IC's and maybe try the new Stu Weinstein design for around fifty bucks. Just start there to have a basis of comparision. You may be very surprised
I would not be surprised. there are manufacturers who do all kinds of foolish things to cables, and there are customers to match.

I will put my system up against any system to see which is more resoving. Any body who has ever heard the well set up Apogee Scintilla would know this.

If you were to have a very resolving system, you'd find out cable science is fool's gold.
I really do not think you should equate cost to performance in audio. I see $4000 amps not worth $400 and $400 amps that are worthy of alot more than they are offerd at.

Cables are system dependant. While it is true that you can get good stuff that is highly priced it is also true you can get good stuff at a lower price also that fits your system and hearing personality enough to be well satisfied.

If you have ever heard an expensive setup that sounded like junk you know what I mean.

I might not have a SOTA system ,but I do believe I have a musical system.

BTW I would own Apogees or Maggies ,Infact I did ,but I had to sell them because of room. The speakers I have now I feel are just as transparent with good dinamics as the Maggies I owned.

They make me happy!