Best Cables for around $500

Resurrecting this old thread rather than start a new one.  Using it as a vehicle for a few remarks about Audioquest's Columbia XLR interconnects with 72V dbs system.  I'd been very skeptical about the value of AQ cabling...suspected it was a lot of hype; yet was very curious to try some given how many knowledgeable A'gon members praise it.  A recent sale at Music Direct provided an opportunity too good to pass up.  Got a new 1 meter pair of Columbia XLRs for $200.   (expect they are discounted because AQ has replaced the River series with the Element series; Water has replaced the Columbia).  Music Direct's 60 day return policy certainly also helped with the decision.  I replaced a well-broken in 1 meter pair of Cabledyne Copper Reference ICs between pre-amp and amp with the Columbias.  GOSH what a pleasant surprise.  Pretty much out of the box I noticed improved clarity and tighter bass.  I know Colorado & Niagara (Earth & Wind in the new lineup) are supposed to be better, but for "only" $200 I am very pleased.  Listening to music now is like watching Koi swim in a crystal clear pool.  The change is remarkable.    

Gshep - glad someone else agrees.  It's kind of surprising more was not written about these back when they were first introduced - at least, I could not find much by way of reviews.  "Balanced" is a good word for them.  Also, the clarity and detail I'm hearing is not associated with any sort of edginess or harshness.  The system's sound with them installed is the most enjoyable it's ever been.  

Hi Electro - I've actually got a pair of the Stagers.  They aren't in use right now.  Not to say there was anything wrong with them.  I think I replaced them with Morrow Audio MA-4 ICs.  

Hmmm....Electro - don't think I can do an A/B with the Stagers vs the Columbias.  The Columbias are XLR as are the inputs to the Taranis amp.  My pre is not balanced so I'm using a male/male XLR/RCA adapter on the Columbia coming out of the pre amp.  The Stagers are strictly RCAs.  I'm looking through my listening notes, trying to confirm I had the Stagers on the Gungnir DAC originally.  The Gungnir took a LONG time to break in and initially sounded pretty rolled off.  I might have got them to help with upper freq on the Gungnir but eventually went with Morrow Audio MA-4s in that spot.  The MA4s (especially bought used or during one of their frequent sales) are worth checking out, in my O-pinion.  He allows an in-home trial period on new, though not on used.  

Follow up to my 12/2 initial comments about the AQ Columbia XLRs:
These are very good interconnects in terms of clarity and detail without harshness or edge.  HOWEVER, for me, after a few listening sessions I found myself wondering where's the bass? and with further time, where's the magic??  Sonic characteristics mentioned 12/2 remain true but the tighter bass seems to have been accompanied by a slight but noticeable reduction in bass response and extension (I initially attributed this to better bass control compared to the Cabledynes); the clarity accompanied by a loss of mid range warmth and heft in the sound.  So - the Reference Copper Cabledynes went back in the system and immediately all became right in my little audio world.  Haven't made up my mind whether to keep the AQs (they really are very good) and see if I can find another application for them or return them.