Im going to regret my cable question

@devinplombier   Another member stated it this way in this post.

>>>>The signal transferred on digital cables isn’t 1s and 0s. Also, the signal is an electromagnetic wave just like analog cables, therefore subject to the same causes of noise and distortion as any other type of cable.

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I cannot offer a technical explanation.  I can only offer my experience.

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Re:  Ethernet cable.  1’s & 0’s.   My upstream streaming chain (modem, router, WiFi access point) is tricked out with power conditioning, LPS’s and NA Eno filters.  The goal is to reduce noise.   I’ve experimented with several different ethernet cables.   Each had a different SQ that could easily be heard downstream.  The process was not a quick A/B swap.  It was long-term listening over weeks.   I could hear the difference in dynamics, tone and timbre.  I’m very pleased with my Sablon Audio 2020 Ethernet cables.

Re: S/PDIF cable.  More 1’s & 0’s.    After reading this review, I purchased the Synergistic Research Galileo digital cable.  The SQ changed when connecting the gold or silver tuning modules – or no tuning module.   The SQ changed again if the ground pin was connected to ground – or not.

Re: USB cable.  More 1’s & 0’s.    After my experience with the SR Galileo S/PDIF cable, I purchased this SR USB cable.    The SQ changed when connecting the blue or red tuning modules – or no tuning module.  The SQ changed again if the ground pin was connected to ground – or not.

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Apologies for derailing this thread.  This discussion should be under digital.

@steakster 

I'm at a loss as to why discussing cables in a cable thread might derail it, but you may have a point in the sense that perhaps folks in the digital forum are better informed about digital. Maybe.

The signal transferred on digital cables isn’t 1s and 0s.

Do you and whoever penned that comment appreciate art? If so, this piece will fit right in with that world view:

https://collections.lacma.org/node/239578

with your budget and your equipment i bet you would just be fine staying in the Audio Quest line of cables and inner connects.  They have good stuff at various price points and have exceptional build quality.  For sure, if you buy something and dont like it, sure better off than spending $2000 and not being satisfied at the higher price point.

+1 to what @curthuff said. 

You might be surprised where AudioQuest sources their pure copper conductor from in the upper cable lines, along with some other manufacturers.  While it's not public info in general, imo you are close enough if you like AQ, go for it. 

@decooney 

"You might be surprised where AudioQuest sources their pure copper conductor from in the upper cable lines"

Ok, I am curious, where do they source it from?