Interesting discussion. I have heard others dispute the differences between high and mid level cables, but never $5k vs $10 wire. There are only three variables here: ears, equipment and cables. I agree with some of the earlier comments in this thread: there are folks who don't have the ears for this hobby. I also know from experience that some equipement is not that transparent/neutral. Some manufacturers intentionally "voice" their gear to produce a certain sound that distinquishes and sells their brand. I found such equipment is relatively insensitve to both cabling as well as source material since the "signature sound" of the components dominate the signal path.
Truly neutral gear, which is tranparent to source and devoid of a particular sonic signature, is very revealling of everything that is in or otherwise influences the signal path.
In terms of cables, I had Acoustic Zen speaker cables and auditioned several brands, including Synergistic Research CTS, before settling on SR Atmosphere Level 4. Admittedly, the differences between some SC's were less noticable than others. However, the elevation in each of the sonic elements of sound that the Level 4 provided was very noticable. Even the audio sceptic in our family (my wife) was quick to notice and she didn't even know I had replaced the Zen's.
Truly neutral gear, which is tranparent to source and devoid of a particular sonic signature, is very revealling of everything that is in or otherwise influences the signal path.
In terms of cables, I had Acoustic Zen speaker cables and auditioned several brands, including Synergistic Research CTS, before settling on SR Atmosphere Level 4. Admittedly, the differences between some SC's were less noticable than others. However, the elevation in each of the sonic elements of sound that the Level 4 provided was very noticable. Even the audio sceptic in our family (my wife) was quick to notice and she didn't even know I had replaced the Zen's.