The biggest differences I've heard are generally down to brightness, too many bright cables and you get a very bright system. Interestingly enough I believe WM's old range of cables got brighter as he went up the range, as unbelievable as it sounds, this was the same for his digital interconnects. Mind you both WM and Alex heard the difference between a green pen treated disk when I didn't (listenning at the same time). The biggest difference I EVER heard was between QED Profile Silver 12 and Chord Odessey, to anyone who says they can't hear ANY difference I really really recommend getting hold of these two and trying it.