Do expensive cables/wires REALLY make a difference

let's talk about materials.

it is possible to design a silver cable that is indistinguishable from a copper cable. while metals can make a difference, they do not always make an audible difference.

the original question has an obvious answer. some expensive cables sound different from some less expensive cables.

I think it is to do with how much return you want to get for your dollars. All cable makers tune their cables to their own signature. For example Transparent; Cardas are more musical and Crystal Cables; Nordost are more excited etc... so finding one brand that matches your system is the most important. After that, a lot of money will yell a little more improvement dependent of the quality of your equipment.

The answer is.... Wait for it.... It depends!

It depends on the electronics and the interaction between them, such as between your speakers and amp. Some combinations can be more sensitive to differences in cables, whereas with others a change in cables will have little impact. It is a function of the physical characteristics (inductance, capacitance etc) of the cables and your system, not price. As other have said, the right cables will make a big difference. The price you pay for the right cable will only impact your wallet. This said, maybe the right cables for your system will be more expensive than another.

Figuring out what cable is right for your system is where all the fun begins.

Cwby8115, Don't forget to burn your new cables. For best results: 30min in 325deg oven. Use gloves.

The old cable shuffle.
Yes no yes no..
Well, generally the middle road would be if you can hear a difference, then i guess you would bother to buy better cables.
If you cannot hear a difference in your system, then you would not.
Simple.

For folks who are too ''whatever'' (confused, unsure, unwilling) to trust your own ears.. Then you can go either way.

My take, from my experience, is that cables of all sorts, and conditioners can make a difference.
However my personal 'theory' is that spending more than 10% of total costs on cables is a mistake. because one could BETTER spend that extra money on better equipment.
For 10% of system cost one can buy reasonable decent cables. I have absolutely no proof or reason for my 10% rule except it seems reasonable. And is what i wound up with anyway. Mostly it seems reasonable.

All sorts of folks want you to believe what they say..
All I want you to do is think for yourself.
Read all the crap being spouted.. think about it. figure it out for yourself.