why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

What can I say, after listening to Clarity cables on several occasions ( as opposed to, say, just looking at them on the interwebs ) can confirm that, to my ear at least, they are great sounding cables that "punch" way above their price point.

And btw they were the cable used in a "Best of Show Room" at the most recent RMAF....so there is that there, eh.

Because its a tweak you can do on your own.  Beyond that the price is up to the individual.

Glad to see you bought into the MIT, Transparent "network" Dave, good for you. I once owned a pair of MIT cables, specifically the 770 for tube electronics, talk about specific for the application. Believe me, no objections, very nice in that system, I believe they retailed in the 3K figure at the time in the early 2000's. Problem was those network boxes climed above the floor, a no no with my then Merlin VSM speakers which required a dedicated support for that heavy network box. I couldn't tighten the lugs sufficiently to keep the spades from sliding off.  In my experience, maybe not as extensive as yours, is there are MANY fine alternative cables that will work in ANY application, there is no black and white better. After all, it is more often than not about taste and specific application, wouldn't you agree? 

One objection about MIT and Transparent, their upper lines are too pricey for cables, ANY cables period. I have sufficient experience owning and listening to countless cables over the years to know. When cables climb above 5 digit prices we are not talking about sound anymore contrary to some thinking, we are then in the realm of marketing and what one is willing and able to pay.