Can hi-end cables benefit less expensive electronics?

But overall, I guess this is a very interesting discussion, because there are many cable topics everywhere, but not much discussion particularly in the context ot buying top-of-the-line cables for not-at-all-top-of-the-line components. I really appreciate all the response I'm getting. 

I was only wondering if an expensive cable can actually make things worse in my system. I was thinking that I would buy a hi-end digital cable that would later be used in much more expensive electronics.

So an upgrade to Metronome C8 would make more sense in the meantime? I could also potentially buy MSB Discrete with two power supplies instead, leaving me completely penniless, with fears I might not get "musicality". 

bugredmachine, that's what I fear. On the other hand, I use pretty good hi-end cables already, like the Furutech Nanoflux NCF, and they did bring an improvement (I only regret selling Furutech DPS 4.1, which added some warmth that I loved, one is enough...). 

I thought nobody would answer, thank you so much for posting, I really appreciate it!

Another alternative is to buy a new DAC, though, like the Metronome C8+, but this is a bigger investment, and eventually I'm hoping to get MSB Discrete once I can afford it. 

I just thought that perhaps I should make things more clear: Am I likely to benefit from Transparent Audio Digital XL replacing a DIY Furutech cable (albeit with top-of-the-line connectors)? And I'm speaking of any minor improvement. Do not consider the cost of the investment. 

Thank you for your opinions. 

And to clarify more, an upgrade bug was telling me to get something special (like this Transparent XL) that I can afford with hopes I can get more of my system once I upgrade the equipment in the future. 

Anybody has used Metronome CD8+?

Now it makes more sense to me why Transparent said I should contact my dealer instead of just recommending their most expensive cable. 

Also I would like to add that I’m not expecting to transform my system from something I hate into something I will love. It’s a question for me of taking my system to something more exquisite, giving it some sublime touch. And here’s where I think (believe) good cables can do the job. I’m quite happy with the system as it is and I have no hopes for bringing it to the stratosphere. I was just hoping for some more refinement. And I just thought that companies such as Transparent with their XL digital link might help me here, as I have an opportunity of getting it at a good price... 

I locked into Transparent on the basis of reviews (!) and the fact that I can get it at nearly half the price ;-) Also I bought much of what I own based on intuition and somehow I feel that this cable may appeal to me... ;-) Foolish, I know... ;-) But in my case, it's not whether it's the best cable for me, it's a question of whether I will like it without listening to anything else, for which I would have to pay the full price for ;-) Crazy, I know... 

And just to remind you, I’m currently using a Furutech FX - Alpha Ag + CF-102 NCF R. By the way, I’m so surprised I’m getting such great answers without the crowd saying that cables don’t matter. What are they doing? Barbecue?? :-)

Soix, thank you. 

I guess there are some misconceptions concerning silver cables. A poor silver cable can sound bright but a good one, like some top Siltech cables, for example, may sound sweet and beautiful. Not all silver is the same. And that’s also one of the reasons why I started this discussion with regard to digital cables as I’m not sure if Furutech’s silver wire they recommend for DIY digital is actually good enough. Somehow Furutech does not use silver for their top of the range digital cables....

Thank you so much for such great response to my question. Of course, somebody who said, paraphrasing, how the hell one should know what I would personally experience with cable upgrades in my system that nobody knows is right. This was meant to be a general question considering people's experience in buying expensive cables for relatively cheaper electronics, and I'm grateful that you shared. Cable topics always raise controversy but I have not seen a similar discussion before, and perhaps this discussion will benefit some people using this forum in the future. I guess many people might be tempted with serious cable upgrades because it's always cheaper than upgrading electronics, so I believe this topic might be useful. I guess it is true there is no point in going over the top with cable upgrades, even if tempted by reviewers who always speak of huge differences with whatever they review (even really minor upgrades such as footers). 

As I see it, if I were to sum up, it's worth upgrading but not necessarily to the top-of-the-line cables like Transparent XL (in case of digital), because a hi-end cable (an expensive rip-off for some) might actually show the system's weaknesses more than a more forgiving cable. And, at the end of the day, it's the pleasure from listening to your favourite music that counts the most. 

This discussion is a gold mine!

Thank you, Lloyd for taking the time to respond and your precious input. 

@waytoomuchstuff, thank you for a very interesting response. I looked at your nickname here and it instantly resonated with my present state of mind ;-) Too much stuff on my mind now! Cable upgrades, or perhaps component upgrades etc. I personally benefited from using Furutech Nanoflux cables in my modest system, and that originally gave me an idea that cable upgrades might sometimes be worth it if you have some spare cash to burn, even if they sometimes seem illogical. My focus currently is on the digital link, which, I suspect, is much less known as to being a worthwhile investment. The knowledge of cables evolves, wth much opposition from some people. In the past, there was a discovery that IC cables matter a lot, then speaker cables. Then there was an uproar when somebody suggested power cables also matter, with later many people saying this is actually the most important cable in the system. There are still few audiophiles who acknowledge that digital cables are as important (bits are bits, right?). I've heard also an opinion from somebody who said this actually can be the most important cable in highly resolving digital setups. 

Thank you all for the precious input. A very interesting discussion for me, and I'm humbled by the fact this is/was one of the most popular threads on Audiogon. I never expected that. If I buy an expensive digital coax (Metronome seems to favour coax), I will certainly add an honest opinion on whether this has been a change for the better, or for the worse. I'm tempted by the digital cable upgrades for two reasons, to be honest. Of course, I have some hopes of adding some sophistication to the sound of my digital setup, which doesn't really need adjustment sound-wide (and my other cables are already "hi-end" price wise and offering improvement, or at least not making things worse..). Here this stems from my belief (and intuition! ) that the digital link is really important and still not appreciated enough. The second thing... is my desire to own something special people rave about ;-) The second point might come to you as a surprising confession. I live in Poland, where money has always been an issue more than in most other places. As a student, I read about all those expensive brands people own, dreaming that one day I might also be able to afford it.  Now I know the price is not indicative of quality, but I guess I still have this desire to own something I could not afford in the past, even if this defies logic... And I always wanted the best ;-) I'm currently considering Transparent Digital Link XL or Siltech Golden Eagle Double Crown, both of wich I can get at nearly half the retail price. Admittedly, it's an effect of audiophilia nervosa... I am aware of it. Somebody suggested Audioquest Carbon as a good choice - I had this cable once and it was a really good cable, but I used it only to connect my Mac to the DAC in Metronome CD8. Not sure what I'm going to opt for in the end, but I will certainly let you know. It's quite likely I will victim of my "being-poor-in the-past" dreams... I hope this is legible, because English is my only second language. 

The above serves as a clarification that there are also personal psychological factors involved in my considerations... 

@soix, thank you!

@pindac, interesting, thank you.

@knownothing Thank you for your interesting post. By the way, anyone has tried the Hijiri Million digital cable? I can see some conflicting opinions on forums, mostly very positive. Some warn it’s not the best cable for a system on the neutral/cool side. I wonder how it would sound in my system. Expensive, but still cheaper than top cables from brands such as Transparent or Siltech. 

Hallo, for people who followed this topic, I would just like to say that I finally opted for the Hijiri HDG Million digital cable, and I'm happy with the change. It was definitely worth the investment, proving, in my system at least, that the digital link is just as important as other cables, affecting the sound. Now the sound is much smoother, the lower frequencies are deep but never boomy, the higher frequencies are smooth but clear (I love the cymbals), and the midrange, especially vocals, is enchanting. The soundstage has also improved considerably over my Furutech Ag cable I previously used. If I had never tried the Hijiri, I'm sure I would be able to enjoy music with Furutech as well - it's just that once you try something better, there's no going back.... ;-)

Thank you! You guys have all been very helpful, so I thought I should share how it all ended for me, since I kept you occupied with comments for quote some time :-)