mggartner, In my main system with revealing speakers (KEF Reference 5 Metas), I can easily hear cable changes. For example, I recently changed or swapped power cables between components. I had the Hijiri TAKUMI on my integrated amp and a Veritas Praesto on my Pink Faun Scion streamer. I swapped positions, put the Takumi on the streamer and it really woke it up, I could cleary hear it, big as sh#t! Smoother sound and expanded stage. Finding the "right" cabling in my main system increases the enjoyment of my system, I wish it wasn't the case, because all of the cables and experimentation I have done was expensive, but it is.
But in audio both things can be true. I have another system, it has no power conditioners and just cords straight into the wall. It includes a 1971 Marantz 2270 receiver, can't swap power cords on that, just a regular lamp looking cord. A Blue Node 2i, again not a regular power cord it is just the stock cord and for speakers it is the Wharfedale Lintons. That simple system without any after market cabling sounds really enjoyable, it is a just whole lot of fun. So mggartner, if you can have fun at this without going down the cable rabbit hole, good for you. That is what my second system (Lintons) above is for me. On the other hand, it is also fun trying things that change the sound in my main system (KEFs), and cable swaps of all kinds can be easily heard.