Why Do Cables Matter?

Is the OP serious?  Does he not know that the internal conductors are chosen/built to a cost and performance targets while the external cables are at the option of the user?  That higher performing components with parts like better wiring also increases their costs and thus prices?

On the WBF forum, Master-Built cables were discussed.  These cables were designed as a side job by the government scientists who work on superconductors.  Debate went on back on forth on what the cable manufacturers claimed.  Iirc In this debate included scientists and engineers.  After the debate went on for awhile, a one of the scientist answered in a very technical way beyond my understanding.  From this I concluded that specialists in the field are much more knowledgeable than others including academics, scientists, engineers, etc.  

I don’t need to understand why before I buy, I’m just interested in price/performance or more specifically sonic performance.

We do not expect a "Guarantee".  We are will aware that the advised cable may not bring subjectively desirable results in our own systems.  But reporting the experience in actual use what they had before and after is very helpful, otherwise beyond basic cable build knowledge we only have marketing hype to evaluate products.

When putting together my first audio chain, my target was linear neutral so that I can better evaluate component upgrades Years of research for cables using reviews to create a hierarchy of price/performance got thrown out the window after this review for the newer model Siltech Classic cables:

https://hifiplus.com/articles/siltech-classic-legend-cables/#:~:text=Classic%20Legend%20is%20an%20extremely,the%20way%20of%20the%20second

Prior I was targeting the MIT cables at Equis Audio because they seemed like a bargain as their features competed with their more expensive cables.

Reviewers most often review quality components, so sometimes you’d have to read between the lines to find an exceptional product.
“Within a few minutes of serious listening, my first note on the page was “Why haven’t I used Siltech Cables more often?” Alan seemed “surprised” in a positive way- unusual for a seasoned reviewer.

”Classic Legend is an extremely neutral conductor, adding or subtracting next to nothing to the sound of the equipment. It’s also extremely consistent:…” is exactly what I was looking for.

So coupled with this great review, Siltech’s reputation for sonic excellence, Siltech’s seemingly extensive experience with silver purification for audio I purchased my interconnects. At least with this cable I can understand refined Silver, and I’ll buy gold filling in gaps is sonically positive, and the price was a reasonable step up from other silver cables.

Tip- at THE Show, I discovered that monocrystal silver is soft and hard to use and make into cable, and that Albedo cables are made with monocrystal silver as Albedo are “jewelers by trade”. If I want to try out other silver cables like for speakers, I may give them a try.