Price: $399 per 1.2m cord

Website: www.madscientist-audio.com

Colin said: I wouldn’t go wrong buying Mad Scientist Audio’s Heretical Analog interconnects and Nitro power cords -- they’re excellent products and incredible bargains. They’re not audio jewelry -- you may want to hide the Nitros from sensitive eyes -- but looks are clearly not everything. If your cable budget is limited and you want to know how great wires can transform a system’s sound, go Mad.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Interesting design at a good price.