Gold plated are the way to go in my opinion.
Does the back of your av equipment look like a rat's nest? Are you a movie or music lover? Wires are a fact of life and the best way to deliver audio or video.
The video world has moved on from analogue and there are still a hardcore following collecting laserdiscs and vhs. I still have a bunch of this too but this is a hard argument to make with the advent of hdmi and these beautifully remastered films.
Analogue audio will always be around. Those that have collected always will continue to do so and a new generation of listener has been picking up the addiction too.
Cables, cables and more cables. The Monster cable phenomenon in the digital world is and always will be snake oil. The analogue audio arena is a whole separate beast.
What's your take? Do you spend $2000 for a single cable or use the Monoprice cheapies?