Dan Turner:
I'll add my perspective.
I think that cables can make a difference.
From a rational perspective because different cables have different properties and characteristics and so it's not hard to believe that can influence a musical signal, and from an experience perspective, because I've experimented with different cables and some of them have made a difference.
I do think that not all differences amount to one being better than the other except in the ear of the beholder based on personal preferences and partnering kit, and I do think that the based on the prices of cables that professional musicians and recording engineers pay that the cables for the consumer 'hi-fi' market are way overpriced. Part of it is also that in the quest to eek the last ounce of (often theoretical) performance out of a cable and to create a unique selling point manufacturers are employing ever more exotic materials and production techniques, which lead to an extremely diminished return for the consumer.
2 experiences of mine to highlight the fact that a) differences do exist *sometimes* and b) expensive doesn't always mean better are:
1) traying out Atlas Hyper 2.0 (£15/m) as an upgrade from Van Damme (£4/m) - the Atlas had noticeably better mid-range detail and tighter bass
2) Comparing a £250 Chord Chorus 2 i/c to one hand made by some guy selling on ebay - he was using high quality materials, and the total cost was £30 - thought I'd give it a bash and I could not tell the slightest difference.
But which properties and characteristics make for a better sound? Resistance causes volume differences by attenuation, but that is of no great consequence in terms of sound quality. Capacitance, inductance how do they affect sound quality? It does not appear to matter what a cable is made with, its maker will claim better sound.
Please blind test the Atlas, Van Damme, Chord and ebay cables and post the results back.