recommends for interconnects?

Beldon Wire Iconoclast.  

A taste of the very high end at reasonable prices with good service... and you can try them and return if not satisfied. So, no risk.

The reason is interesting.  SoulNote says music is a waveform delivered in time, not a Fourier transform delivered in the frequency domain. Almost all cable measurements focus on the frequency domain.

Why no shielding?  Well, the cables are balanced so EMI should equally affect the + and -, cancelling out.  Shielding increases capacitance, which smears the signal in the time domain.

@richardbrand spot on! 

Cables do make a difference. Tecnology has evolved quite a bit over time and cables are getting better and better. price point has has also changed in recebt years, like everything else.
However at similar price point different brands will sound different. It depends of the sound signature you are looking for and the synergy with your system. Chatgpt can give a general perspective on sound signature and system matching to get started. I personally like a more organic well rounded sound. Cardas Clear and Luna Mauve fall in this category from auditions  i have made and cables i owned.  Nordost is a bit more detailed for those who like a more analytical presentation. Audience is a very well balanced cable but you will likeky need to invest a bit more.Good luck in your search.

I have to ask...exactly what is a "tired" cable?  I've seen frayed cables where cats went to town, cables that have been cut, and cables that have come apart because someone pulled on them the wrong way.  But "tired"?  Thanks in advance. 

Blue Jeans Cable.