Suggestion on XLR Cables

I've seen some Synergistic CTS (used) at about $1000.  Cable's got great reviews and I like their power conditioner.  I'm not high on another AC connection (for the active piece of the cable).  Audience SE (1m) available around $1000, SX about $1250.

I've heard some of these "giant killer" cables.  I'm not saying they don't punch above their weight because a # of them do but they are bettered by some others I mentioned.  Now are those worth the price differential, that's up to each person to decide.  BTW, I've got Duelund's in the system now. Don't know what the fuss is all about. None of their wire (made into cables) sounded good in my system. Not as XLRs, not for speaker cable. Maybe it's a synergy thing.  Always too bright for my ears.

By the way, Mogami Gold cables are terminated with Neutrik XLR's.

@bradluke0

Just yesterday I had a very similar experience. Won’t bore anyone with the reason for doing it but changed out AQ Columbia XLRs between DAC and Preamp for Cardas Parsec SE. Was very surprised by the improvement heard. Both pieces are fully balanced and from the same mftr. Does the improvement reflect a difference in wire quality or (in this instance) an advantage of single ended vs balanced? I’ll have to try a Parsec XLR IC to decide.

@inna
I pretty much agree with bradluke though differences in wire are more complex than "more highs" vs "more warm". As system performance has improved judged by the intelligibility of vocals, separation of multi-tracked voices and instruments, increased stage depth and clarity of micro details (a partial list), I’ve found the effect of wire choices on the overall sound of the system to be more evident. Just like equipment components can be unhappily or happily combined resulting in that magical "synergy" from the most fortuitous combinations, it makes sense to choose wire that enhances the sound however you describe the sonic attribute it brings.

ghosthouse, I treat cables as components, no less no more, and I have found that the higher you go the more performance you extract from the same set-up without changing anything else. But I do not try to adjust the sound, only bring out more of it. I believe, that sound manipulation should be done at the level of speakers and maybe cartridge and table. The rest is 'wire with gain'. Our active components are really often better than they seem. No, my Redgum integrated will not sound as good as Gryphon with any cabling, there is always a limit, of course, but signal transmission importance is obvious to me.

"I treat cables as components...."

@inna - Agree 100% with that part of your statement; however, I see each link in the chain as an opportunity for "sound manipulation" with the ultimate goal being, as you say, "more of it", i.e., more music!