I know this is a complete oversimplification but do cables go bad? (speaker and/or inter-connects)

Besides outright damage should a cable go bad?

I am asking becasue as my older brother keeps upgrading his system, I am lucky enough to receive all the hand me downs. So far, an Adcom 5-channel amplifier, monster speaker cables, and monster interconnects. Assuming that they are not damaged but they are a few years old should they still be good?

Do cables corrode on the inside or anything else that might just ruin them over time?

What can you do to avoid any problems with cables aging for whatever reason?

I am asking becasue if I can save money on not having to purchase new inter-connects and speaker cable it would get me to a 950 that much faster.

Thanks in advance!



[This message has been edited by NYC-EMT (edited February 20, 2004).]