cleeds,
your experience perhaps not matching mine.
I stand for the math terms 'Necessary And Sufficient' when it comes to hook-up.
Check out Mogami Gold 2m hook-up wires $43/pr so you can check your math on that one including connectors. Amphenol gold/rhodium plugs can be purchased separately at around $2...3 per piece and they seem to be premium quality ones and very easy to work with when replacement or upgrade needed to stock RCA plugs of let's say 70's...80's vintage turntable. Other plugs designed more for fasion than for performance and you'll be mostly paying for brand around 80...90% similar to Prada wear and shoes.