Man this is frustrating

teo_audio - I like that. Mind if I plagiarize?

 Stringreen please elaborate on why Cardas won't work in this application ?  ....as sounds like you have first hand information that may be useful to the OP. I think the Clear line would be something the OP should look into. Please share your observation. Thanks   

Duelund tinned-copper wire (DCA16GA or DCA20GA) with Switchcraft conectors, from Parts Connexion. If you don't DIY, they will construct them for you for a fee and they are still very affordable. As in like $150... search em here or at Jeff's Place blog. They are being sucsessfully used in systems that are far from mid-fi.

I see the VPI branded cables on here for cheap and Discovery Wire makes them  It is the same wire your tonearm is wired with.  I bought 2 pair here at different times for 100 for one pair and 150 for the other pair in 1 meter length. 

"I like to tinker ..."

Good for you, sir. Damn good.

But when you tinker, especially with cables, be aware that teflon insulation begins to break down at about 250C. One of the breakdown products is hydrogen fluoride, HF, a very toxic gas.

So, when soldering cabling with teflon insulation, be a little careful - I  use a respirator and work in a fume hood. Maybe it's overkill, maybe not. Mogami bulk cabling is available without teflon, which might work better for you if you don't have the facilities in place.

Anyway, I doubt if you can improve much on simple DIY cables using quality connectors (I prefer ETI). And nothing in my system is mid-fi.

By the way, Almarg is absolutely right about low capacitance cables.