My .02 is cabling can make a difference to a point, but gear will trump cable differences. I found that cabling material (ie silver vs copper) made the most discernable sonic differences. But there are better and worse cables made with the same materials. I had some PS Audio Statements in my system that were some of the best copper cables I heard - they had sparkling silver-like highs but still some meat on the bones in mids and bass.
I also have a PS Audio Quintent that I plug most my gear into. I have PS Audio power port wall outlets on the outlets I plug gear into. I've found at my house that electricity is fairly good, which means I don't discern enough from different power cords to warrant spending serious $ for them. I would consider myself lucky. I try plugging things into the Quintet or directly into the wall and see which sounds better. Simple.
Same thing holds true for any isolation platforms and other tweaks. I've found that copper cones tend to make the sound leaner in the mids and bass, but may help focus and high extension. i like iso-nodes under cd players and some amps.
I wouldn't spend more on cables then the rest of your gear!
I also have a PS Audio Quintent that I plug most my gear into. I have PS Audio power port wall outlets on the outlets I plug gear into. I've found at my house that electricity is fairly good, which means I don't discern enough from different power cords to warrant spending serious $ for them. I would consider myself lucky. I try plugging things into the Quintet or directly into the wall and see which sounds better. Simple.
Same thing holds true for any isolation platforms and other tweaks. I've found that copper cones tend to make the sound leaner in the mids and bass, but may help focus and high extension. i like iso-nodes under cd players and some amps.
I wouldn't spend more on cables then the rest of your gear!