DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

I have to agree with calvinj (the op of this thread) about the 10% rule. Which is just a means if helping new folks who are confused about how much to spend on cables. And not a rule for seasoned audiophiles, who know what they want. It is odd though, that for me, the end result is about the same!I have a pile of decent equipment. My 'in use' IC cables are 9% of my system retail cost. (12% of what I paid, considering used, etc) this does not include power conditioning or powercords. nor speaker cable. (I use Kimber 8TC, so my speaker cable is only 0.1% of total system cost. (maybe someday I will upgrade it, but not soon). If I lump powercords, duplex and power conditioners together, they add up to 12% retail cost, but since the power conditioners were both bought used, the actual cost percentage to the actual system cost is 10%                
So for all wire and related stuff in my system, I paid about 20% of the whole cost for them. 10% for IC. 10% power.

@gawdbless , yes I bet some would prefer the straightened coat hanger, and then uber expensive cable, and then the coat hanger etc

@cleeds , thank you for that information. Would it be too much to ask for the results of any of these experiments? There's plenty out there that suggest cables don't make any significant difference.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/testing-audiophile-claims-and-myths.486598/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10827699/Crossed-wires-are-expensive-cables-a-waste-of-m...

Seriously when you consider all the various switches, diodes, components that the signal has to pass through on it's way from the DAC (or cartridge) to the delicate voice coil wires of the loudspeaker, isn't it a bit like changing the last 6 inches of your cold water pipe and expecting an improvement in taste?

I myself  have tried cables from Linn (k20), Naim (NAC A5), Chord (Odyssey 2- silver plated), solid core lighting flex (it was once all the rage here thanks to Jimmy Hughes - legendary tweaker), and finally oxygen free copper. To this day I have no idea which was the best, or the worst. 

Thankfully many serious manufacturers have resisted the urge to chase the quick buck by diving into this exploitation business. Sony, B&W, ATC, Harbeth, Spendor, Arcam, Marantz, Tannoy etc.

A ready made market there for the taking!  You can imagine how simple it would be for them to start their own line of cables. These companies however are in it for the long term and wish to preserve their credibility and reputation.

One of the things I find extremely curious about much of the commentary on topics like these, is that the lack of first hand experience with much of what is discussed is shocking.  It’s easy to be smug and resolute, or satisfied in ones own ignorance when your experience is limited.  It is not helpful to expound on topics if ones experience is using zip cord and then going hog wild by trying Audioquest or Kimber.  That’s meant in jest of course, but really folks...if you haven’t lived with a good cross section of what’s available then you have very little understanding of what can be achieved.  I have owned a ridiculously large number of cable designs over the last 30 years, and yes, I even had Fulton Gold Speaker Cables (look those up boys and girls)!  Can someone be happy with conventional cable designs that offer slight differences in their ability to alter the frequency response you hear?  Of course, people love affordable bland products (usually high in salt).  To gain a truly realistic experience however, requires innovation, combined with a love of music and an understanding of audio reproduction.  A lot of what is peddled in the realm of cables is nonsense indeed.  Cryo treatments, hyper pure metal, various ways to align the conductors and insulation materials etc... Do they all make a difference?  Sure, but only minor deviations in the resultant experience and definitely not worth the money.  As it turns out, the original big High End cable companies were on to something that could significantly enhance the audio listening experience.  Ironically, they would become the whipping posts for most of the next gen cable companies that evolved and expanded following the newly tapped “Money Trail” that was discovered!  The only real significant ground being blazed today is in wireless or digital technology.  For me, MIT and Transparent cables still perform to a higher standard under most conditions in most systems.  Of course, as is the case with Homo Sapiens, your perspective may vary.

Point blank the ones that say they can’t hear the difference don’t usually have resolving systems and don’t try upper market cables. What they call great sound is just ok sound to most of us with highly resolving systems

Is the air thin up there?