Cables, just as important as a hi end component?

I chose the AQ Silver Extremes because they were offered brand new for $100/pair instead of $500/pair! Otherwise I would never spend $500 on an IC! I am retired and not in the same social class as those who regard spending thousands on ICs and speaker cables as "good value"!

When I needed a new pair of speaker cables I bought a 40 foot piece of Q Audio TimeStream (made in Canada).Cut it in half and added Monoprice bananas. Cost $40 + $6 bananas! The TimeStream is a multi-strand helical weave cable. Sounds fine to me!

When I wanted to add a new set of IC’s I bought five pairs of AQ’s Silver Extremes. $100/pair from HCM. They look nice and sound fine! I make no claims that they are sonically better than the old set - Verion Triaxials ($30/pr 1977).