Not an argument about audio cable!
How do you know your evaluation was ceteris paribus?
In any case, Monster Cables?? Come on...Reference Lab for me (I get them free)
As for the Lexicon, personally, I think they should print some grubby fingermarks around the buttons, a coffee cup ring on the top, discolour the buttons on the remote and call it the Limited Edition Vintage/Patinated edition....has to be worth a $2K premium.