One could say all high-priced cables are a scam.
OK, without going into a 3-page diatribe, let me float this one past the readers:
Around 20 years ago, we tried to sell a sub-$100 digital cable. No dealer would touch them.
"Get that thing out of here. It makes everything under $200 sound bad, and is about as good as the ones that cost over $200. Are you trying to ruin our business?"
(Maybe!)
"Get out, and come back when you have something that costs $200, or more."
We did. And did. Come back, that is.
"This is great! How much does it sell for?"
"$200"
"HUH?"
"You said make something that costs $200, so we did. What is wrong now?"
"Whaddya mean what is wrong now? It wipes out everything under $600. Find a way to sell it for $600-800, and we will sell them."
"But it is just wire."
"And your point is?"
"Well, we think it is worth $200, based on what it costs to make."
"No, you stupid hillbilly. You price it based on how it sounds to the competition."
"Oh."
So, I ask again: are all expensive cables a scam? They are all just wire. Unless they are made with silver, or some other pricey conductor, they are just wire. Sure, they all sound different, but they are all still just wire. I'm sorry, but I can see no reason why good wires should cost so much. I do not want to hear lectures on magical construction or other such stories. They are wire, plain and simple. No way a cable should cost more than the gear it is connected to. But, I know lots of you will spend lots of money on cables.
I see no way to say all cheap cables are bad, any more than expensive ones are better.
Having said all of that.................
There are some small, niche cable companies, that make cables, by hand. Some are really good. As they are hand-made, they cost $$$. In this case, you are paying for the labor. I can think of one brand that is of this genre. They sound good. But, they didn't sell, because they were expensive. (I should point out I am most familiar with their power cords. Yes, I was told why they are supposed to sound better. Whether that is the reason or not, their power cords do sound good.)
Enter some guy, who is known in the industry, and has a good clientele.............he gets involved................price goes up, say factor of 10, and.............
They sell all they can make.
So, need I ask the question, again?