why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

d2girls, for balanced analog interconnects I and more than a few others here have had excellent results with Mogami Gold Studio, which btw is arguably the de facto cable of choice in pro applications.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&fct=fct_brand_name%7cmogami&N=0&Ntt=mogami%...

For other cables and power cords, many here (including me) have been very pleased with Signal Cable products:

http://signalcable.com/

All of the above are very modestly priced, but offer excellent value. Also, keep in mind that balanced interconnections in many cases tend to be less sensitive to cable differences than unbalanced interconnections.


Best of luck.
-- Al

Edit:  I composed this post before seeing Dave's just above.  Great minds think alike :-)

thank you for the suggestions but from what I can see these hardly seem to be much different than my current cabling. i was thinking of trying out something more 'audiophile' like nordost, etc. i was looking to get balanced interconnects in the 1.5 feet variety, do those exist? my amp, preamp, and dac are all right above and below each other on my vertical rack.

I still use two Cardas Parsec XLR in my system. $360 meter pair.I bought them when they came out. and like what they do. One clear feature is an interesting pearl like edge to the notes. Really just a tiny touch, but lovely. Since I bought all of those (like 7 pair 2 XLR 5 RCA) I jumped up the $1000 a pair Kimber KS 1016, mainly due to needing a really good 7 meter IC and I liked the sound of the 7m KS1116 XLR, I bought a few more RCA Kimber for the rest. But I do keep the two Cardas XLR in the system (The Cardas is slightly more veiled than the Kimber, But cost a lot less. So for a step up, I would suggest the Cardas Parsec XLR.     

D2girls...might I suggest a veteran source for free advice who also handles MIT cables online.  Call Joe Abrams at Equus Audio.  He has been in the high end industry for his entire life and can offer exceptional savings on all MIT cables.  He has cables for sale on Audiogon as well.  Enjoy

Do your research and DO NOT take recommendations from people who have already been swayed into spending too much money on exotic, overpriced, ineffective cables.  Accessory interconnects can only, if at all, provide very subtle improvements to audio listening and they are certainly NOT worth the ridiculous premium prices.  

Try to find, for example, any high end speaker manufacturer, who does not also manufacture interconnects, who will suggest that exotic, expensive are needed to enhance their speakers' performance.