why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

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.

Dynaquest14 sounds reasonable and has probably found himself content within his own means, meager as they may or may not be.  My recommendations are based upon over 40 years of owning a very large portion of the gear many people talk about but have not owned.  Many cables have entered my various systems over the years and although there may be some good values available, none have provided the startlingly dramatic improvements that MIT cables have provided....even the lower cost offerings are quite amazing at allowing your listening sessions to transport you to the actual event!  I have put my money where my mouth is and have found that wire definitely is wire...MIT offers a musical experience far beyond just wire.