I agree if you are looking at $5000 cables then investing that elsewhere in the system is probably a good idea to consider to get the sound you want.
My opinion in general, not knwing your system, is that once your equipment is well matched to your tastes then you should be able to find an IC for 10% or less of that amount that works perfectly fine.
But if you must spend $5000 then buy one used, do not overpay, try it and then sell it and try the other if not satisfied. THat way you will know what works best without throwing money down the drain, unless you just have so much money that it doesn't matter to you.
My opinion in general, not knwing your system, is that once your equipment is well matched to your tastes then you should be able to find an IC for 10% or less of that amount that works perfectly fine.
But if you must spend $5000 then buy one used, do not overpay, try it and then sell it and try the other if not satisfied. THat way you will know what works best without throwing money down the drain, unless you just have so much money that it doesn't matter to you.