I have never been a big believer in cables. To make a long story as short as possible, a friend loaned me a pair of Kimber Kable KCAG XLR cables (MSRP $1K/Meter). I replaced my cables (approx. msrp $250/m) and I noticed a huge difference. It was an “Oh !@#$” moment. I then tried another set of cables and had acquired along the way and the Kimber’s were better. For grins, I then put in a pair of Monoprice interconnects ($16 for the pair) and I heard NO difference! The $16 Monoprice sounded exactly like the $1K Kimber. I had a friend come over, did a blind test with three of the cables. He pick the KK and Monoprice over the other cables, but could not hear a difference in the KK and Monoprice.
Maybe some with extremely discerning hears could hear a difference and maybe the system would make a difference. But, I proved to myself that cables do make a difference and the most expensive may not be better. I suggest, before anyone poo poos my findings, order a pair of Monoprice (what’s $16?) and test them. What you DON’T get with $16 cables is bragging rights – or, maybe you do.
I used the interconnects between an Audio Research Ref 5 SE preamp and Pass Labs XA30.8 amp driving a pair of Sonus Faber Amatis.