Oddly what you are doing makes sense to a degree. I know nothing about the interactions of cables and gear. As in why it happens. Only a glossy idea of why it occurs. Ok, I'm uneducated. Now that that is clarified, I have made the following observations. I have connected some interconnects between my DAC and preamp, as well as between my Preamp and amp.
One set of interconnects is the Inakustik NF2404
One set is the Genesis by Gary Ko
The other is an inexpensive coax interconnect.
Here is what I observed.
Between the DAC and the preamp the coax and the Inakustik are hard to tell apart. The Inakustik is better, but not by much. The Genesis is an OMG that is great. The world opens up. I use the Genesis there.
Between the preamp and amp the coax, Inakustik and Genesis are hard to tell apart but they are different. The Genesis is a little thin, so I keep it where it excels. The Inakustik is more fleshed out and full. Very clear and accurate. Pretty neutral but very full. I like that so it stays between the preamp and amp. The coax is just there. Nothing special but pretty darn good for $250. It is not as clear as either the Genesis or Inakustik. There is some haze and cloudiness to it. It is not in use.
The Genesis is designed around 2 wires on the positive and 1 on the negative. Kind of like your doubling up of interconnects. Different but similar. The Inakustik is 2 wires in an air dielectric spread very far apart. About an inch plus. Totally different geometry. I am sure their inductance, reactance and capacitance and radically different. I assume that is why the results based upon where they were used if quite different. If I were to do a review on either the Genesis or Inakustik and I based the finding on one topology alone, I might find either cable inferior. If I used the cable in another area, I might find it heavens sent. Interconnects are tricky business. It's hard to tell if you are going to get the same results as someone else who raved about them. From what you are all saying and the links included say, it seems cables are very system dependent.
Thanks for validating this idea for me. I got in a fight with one vendor over this very issue and feelings were hurt. Now I can't get any more cables at discounted pricing. I'm just another chump having to pay list price. For that brand at least. Owe Well. I really don't need anymore unless I purchase a tape machine.
Rex