Cable Costs Relative to System

I still have to say the gap between the folks who are crazy for cables and those who are not so crazy is very, very wide.
I continue to tread what i think is a middle ground of 'some' money for somewhat better cables.
But I still find spend the money on the equipment is the best choice.

I am currently deciding whether it is worth the money to buy some better power cables. At $320 for a four meter powercord for the amp is making me think about it. I probably will try it. But it is getting too expensive there for my cord philosophy to accept as reasonable. (Actually it is on the cusp.. so I am just not certain if it is worth the trouble...) Though for the 10% rule it is well within the range, as my amp cost $4,300.
I have reterminated some 25 year old interconnects and find I really like them on my digital stuff.

And as a final thought, I cannot see saying 'cables first' as making any sense at all. Except to cable sellers and manufactureres. The idea of expensive cables first is just totally crazy in my book. That is just me. (and plenty of others.) but if it floats anyone's boat, then so be it, Feel free to buy $10,000. cables for your Radio Shack receiver...

elizabeth:

trust yoour ears. one shouldn't be dogmatic or doctrinaire regarding any component.

its a question of value. if an expensive cable makes a big difference, and the difference is worth the price of the cable to the buyer, it's a sensible purchase.

i like to use the analogy of expensive vs inexpensive restaurants.

i generally find that spending a lot of money on food, compared to a good diner, is not worth it. you may disagree. it depends upon how you value the experience.

My ICs between pre and amps cost more than my pre, which is a wonderful piece in itself. Never in my wildest dreams did I foresee that coming. But I just ignored common sense and committed to the best sounding ICs for me in my system. And am glad for it.

My ICs between pre and amps cost more than my pre, which is a wonderful piece in itself.

Sorry Danny, that just doesn't make sense to me. Are you sure it's not your guilty conscience that you're glad for? :)

Tpreaves - I understand your point, and at times it can be difficult to not be fooled by one's own conscience, but since I paid $0.00 for the ICs (retail $849 for standard four foot length pair, and mine are 12 foot pair so would have been much more than that as these are hand made), this is not the case. I should however divulge that my pre is terrifically silly good for the money.

To blow your mind even further ... I almost bought a pair of tubes for my pre which cost close to 50% of my pre, which I paid full retail new. Such is the crazy world of audio.