Same experience as OP. Tried a bunch (on loan from local hi-end shop), not an iota of difference. Same for speaker cables (AWG14 vs 5–6). So as long as it has mechanically decent connectors (e.g Blue Jeans), I'm good. Speaker is bare wire, of course.
If someone questions quality of my components, look at my virtual system. Not stratospheric, but not entry-level either. So going from entry to something "better" has best shot to show *some* differences, but it doesn't. Tried it enough times not to bother anymore; remember definition of insanity.
As I mentioned before, differences in recording styles are MUCH greater, so "optimizing" cables is a fools errand. Or are the cable guys changing cables depending on which recording they play? LOL!

