I am also an advocate of the "loom" approach, but I think the ultimate results are dependent on:
1) whether the brand chosen offers a variety of cable signatures to be mixed and matched to achieve the sound you desire. This approach differs from mixing and matching different brands in that the different models of the same brand must be designed, tested, and understood to work together synergistically to provide a predictable sonic result. If, after starting with one model, say, at the source, one desires to add more warmth and bloom, for example, then it is known that adding another model of cable within that brand at a different location, say at the preamp to amp position, will yield the desired warmth and bloom without losing the desired characteristics of the baseline sound.
2) adding additional cables of that same brand produces a "whole is greater than the sum of the parts" result. As one adds more cables of the selected brand, more and more of what is unique and desireable with the baseline cable is enhanced, similar to the effect of an "accelerator" or catalyst.
One brand that I know does both is the Synergistic Research Tesla line. Mixing the Accelerator, Precision Reference, Acoustic Reference, and Apex lines allows one to achieve both of the above. The entire line was designed that way, including not only ICs, speaker cables, and power cords, but also their power conditioner (Powercell 10SE) and AC receptacle (Teslaplex). In fact, SR recommends against using the same model throughout an entire system (including the most expensive Apex line), but rather to mix and match models to tailor the overall sound to your liking. SR can and will advise you on which model additions will yield your desired sonic results at every step of the process as you build your loom. Done correctly, all of the above is achieved to a remarkable (amazing?) degree.
