@bzawa I admittedly don't have as extensive experience with cables as some here. I will say this though: IMHO there IS a difference.
After several decades with Monster Powerline II and Monster Reference interconnects, I decided to dip my toe into some new cables. After a bit of surfing around, reading reviews etc. I chose these folks: https://www.morrowaudio.com/
What I liked about them is the ability to have the cables built and configured as you want them. (They also have a trade-in program) Before I rewired my system, I had a good long listening session with familiar material so I'd have fresh memories to work from.
After I rewired things, I was gobsmacked at the difference. It was not subtle! I was skeptical about their 'break in period' (Really? For wire?) But again, I was surprised at the further improvement over time. To be sure, I swapped back to my old cables to make sure it wasn't confirmation bias at play and was amazed again: There really is a difference.
I'm not going to go into the differences I heard on my specific system as if you think about it, your system will behave differently than mine. What I am trying to do is to encourage you to give new cables a try. The suggestion of buying used is a good one: You can likely get very good cables for way less than new. And if you don't like them, or you can't discern any change, you can always sell them on.
Give it a try. I don't think you'll be sorry!
Happy listening.