When I started getting serious about this hobby in the 1980s, one didn't hear too much about cables. (At least I didn't; but then I wasn't looking.)
When I returned to the hobby in 2015 I ordered a NAD dedicated CD player. The dealer sold me a pair of AudioQuest Alpha Snake ICs for $24 to go with it. While I was waiting for the NAD to be delivered I put the Alpha Snakes on an old ADC CDP that it was replacing. I immediately had to turn the volume down on the amp. So I was convinced that the cheap ICs that came with the players were garbage. I was not convinced, however, that spending more than $25 was prudent.
A few years later and my system became much more capable of revealing detail. I bought a pair of WireWorld Oasis 7s for about $100. They made an improvement in soundstage and carity from my Oppo BDP-95 through a Rotel Rx-1052 and Canton Ergos that I thought was not just my imagination. Later I replaced the Oasis 7s with inexpensive Gotham PUR XLRs. (now through a Primare I32) This was an improvement that I absolutely and immediately knew was not my imagination. Next I got some Zu Mission XLRs that I believe listed for about $215. I'm not sure I hear any improvement over the $35 Gothams, but this does not surprise me. I had thought that the nature of balanced circuits and cables is much more immune to cable differences than RCAs. Since I got the Zus for only $45, it was not an expensive experiment. It seems that some of the followers of this thread who are far more knowledgeable than I have confirmed my theory. I am insecure enough to take comfort in that.
When I returned to the hobby in 2015 I ordered a NAD dedicated CD player. The dealer sold me a pair of AudioQuest Alpha Snake ICs for $24 to go with it. While I was waiting for the NAD to be delivered I put the Alpha Snakes on an old ADC CDP that it was replacing. I immediately had to turn the volume down on the amp. So I was convinced that the cheap ICs that came with the players were garbage. I was not convinced, however, that spending more than $25 was prudent.
A few years later and my system became much more capable of revealing detail. I bought a pair of WireWorld Oasis 7s for about $100. They made an improvement in soundstage and carity from my Oppo BDP-95 through a Rotel Rx-1052 and Canton Ergos that I thought was not just my imagination. Later I replaced the Oasis 7s with inexpensive Gotham PUR XLRs. (now through a Primare I32) This was an improvement that I absolutely and immediately knew was not my imagination. Next I got some Zu Mission XLRs that I believe listed for about $215. I'm not sure I hear any improvement over the $35 Gothams, but this does not surprise me. I had thought that the nature of balanced circuits and cables is much more immune to cable differences than RCAs. Since I got the Zus for only $45, it was not an expensive experiment. It seems that some of the followers of this thread who are far more knowledgeable than I have confirmed my theory. I am insecure enough to take comfort in that.