It is a puzzle. I've "A-B" tested home-made 10 & 12 gauge (from a McIntosh to Revel F328Be speakers, for e.g.) along with audioquests, and custom length from Blue Jean Cables http://www.bluejeanscable.com/ I'm no engineer, nor did I employ any meters I just A-B and listened to several different sources. I could tell an appreciable difference from my homemade cables to audioquest or Blue Jean. But audioquest price at $4000.00 vs. about $200.00 was not discernable to my ears. Additionally, I had one audioquest terminal fail (you can purchase 4 of their silver banana replacement ends for about $40-50) and was shocked that the connection was simply set-screws into twisted wire. For all the hype about their cables, the connections are worse than homemade. Blue Jean Cables use "ultrasonically-welded" terminations and they are impressive. In re. to headphone, IEM, headphone amp / dac... I've tried several high-end connections and cannot tell any difference. A good cable, with a welded termination is great. Folks with better hearing, more discriminating audio ears may hear improvements. Happy listening!
Wow, $10k+ cables
I’m a true cables believer. I do believe they can make (significant) improvement to system but $10,000+ for a single power cord or a pair of interconnect? Cmon now