Hey, I wanted to thank everyone for smacking me around a bit about this... I know better, have a friend who's an electrician and electronics wizard, have read numerous articles and diatribes... and somehow I still get suckered into questioning all of that when I drop into the nearest 'high-end' store. Just so you all know, I did Not buy any cables, but instead went and bought a 'Me-pod' (500Gig harddrive for my portable music!). Retail therapy finished.

So... next question...
Is a power conditioner a good idea? I have been led to believe that most companies would suggest that they are not... something about providing a maximum electrical signal (by which I mean a non-fluctuating output, which goes somewhat against the concept of AC) to your component being a bad idea. thoughts? Thanks again for the input!