Seeking education about those ultra-expensive interconnects

As the debate rages on and the jury probably won't be back for some time, I have a question about those ultra-expensive inter-connect cables. You know, the ones that cost anywhere from $50 per cable to $5000+ per cable.
There are two camps: One that says they make all the difference in the world and if you aren't running them, your missing out and your system doesn't sound as good. The other camp says they are a waste of money and just use any old inter-connect cable.

For the moment I lean towards the second group except for my own experiences.
I'm of the following opinion: Inter-connect cables can make a difference in the obvious, but how far do they or can they go? Example, I used to run whatever cables came with the gear or the rat shack jobs. Then one day I switched over to Monoprice premium RCA inter-connects and it made a noticeable difference, but not totally in sound quality except to say that much RF interference was gone and the build quality of the cables is superior. I don't disconnect and re-connect much, I set up my gear and stay put unless I'm adding or taking away something. So the cables don't see much action. That said though I have had the flimsy cables I used to use give out on me for no reason.
I'm not saying the Monoprice premium inter-connects are the very best as I think the Blue Jean stuff is a step above that, but is it worth it?
That's my question. I'd like to hear from folks without bias or desperate justification for spending more on inter-connects then their entire system. I'm looking for clinical scientific fact data I guess on the merits of buying ultra-expensive inter-connects. I'm not putting down those who have spent the money on those expensive inter-connects at all. Those folks I want to hear from as well, but without bias please. Surely some of you may have the info I seek. I'm not trying to start another war. That's not the purpose of my inquiry. The purpose of my inquiry is to be educated on this and to check my own conclusions thus far.
I'd like to see evidence that those ultra-expensive cables make more than a subtle difference or indeed an imaginary perceptive difference. Of course we all hear things differently, what sounds like crap to one person is heaven to another.

I'm also of the philosophy that inter-connect cables alone do not make a system sound good or better. It's like a computer: garbage in, garbage out. If one has great uber-interconnects, great electronics and speakers, but poorly produced media, it's going to sound bad. If one has great uber interconnects, cheap electronics, decent media and poor speakers, it's going to sound bad. If one has great interconnects, good electronics, good media and poor speakers, it's going to sound bad and so-on and so-forth.

Let's pretend that I have the money for those ultra expensive interconnects. I'd like to use my own set-up as a base for this question: I have an Onkyo TX-R705 (Decent receiver, but not an Integra), Onkyo C-390 CD player (pretty good DAC in that thing) and let's say Paradigm Studio 100s v5 with DIY high-end 14 gauge speaker cables. (I'm really running 1985 Kenwood JPL-690s with standard oxygen-free 18 gauge speaker wire, the Paradigms are on the bench of you will, but let's assume the Paradigms for this).
Now with that set-up (as opposed to decent separates), would there be any noticeable difference or improvement if I were to run the expensive interconnects instead of the Monoprice premiums?

PS. I'm also curious about this because I have been to a couple of meetings if an Audiophile club and was totally put down (and off I might ad) by the folks there slamming my set-up calling it garbage just because I was not running $1400 interconnects and speaker cables. I didn't pay much attention to them because I felt they had no clue as to what an audiophile is, but it did peak my curiosity about their rabid adherence to the ultra-expensive cables and slamming anyone who doesn't run them.

Good logical responses so far. I'll be reading the provided info as soon as I have a chance.
So far it seems that my conclusions are on target.
No, I do not plan on trying to save up and run out and buy such cables any time soon unless they would make a huge difference and logically, I don't see it and doubt I ever will no mater what gear I have.

I've always advocated that the speakers, the source (and the acoustical qualities of the room) are the backbone and most important parts of a system.
The Roger-russell thing has been presented to me before, but I personally find it somewhat confusing and cumbersome as he gets into using all these switch things and wire gadgets and such to improve sound.

Do you think capacitance is a big important factor? I've heard that mentioned somewhere and I think it would be a more pressing factor in speaker cables as opposed to interconnects. I could be dead wrong. Personally, I think shielding is at least one of the most important factors in cables especially in a heavy RF area like mine.

No fault or bagging on anyone who uses those type of cables. Hey, if you have the dispoable income for that and are trying to squeeze the last couple of percent out, then more power to ya. I think the line only gets crossed at the point that those as you describe start blasting those of us who do not use said cables for whatever reason.
Back to the percentage point though. It brings up this question: Can a 2% improvement or difference really be detected by the human ear? Even the most sensitive of us?

I was thinking more along the lines of capacitance as a factor for speaker cables, but I could be totally off in my thinking. I'm thinking the Paradigm Studio 100s for example would probably prefer a good o2 free copper 14 gauge cable with good terminators over an 18 gauge wire. Although, I might be thinking of resistance there.

The posts in this thread leads me to believe that I was right all along regarding interconnects. Good shielding and good connectors and your good to go. The Blue Jean cables are probably slightly better in construction, but it's probably not much difference in most cases. I also see that much of what is claimed as improvement or gain is really perceived and not actually realized because we are talking about really small percentages/numbers if they are there.
Again that is no slam on those who prefer to use the ultra-expensive big name interconnects for any reason they choose. If it makes you happy then it counts. Please don't take anything I say as a slam. It's not meant to be. At best, it's merely a difference of opinion or perception and nothing more. I have seen some real nasty fights over this topic and I have always just wanted straight answers with proof as best as possible. I think we did a good job this time keeping everything civil. It shows it can be done because when you boil it all down at the end of the day it's really about listening to music or what have you and enjoying it.

Re: Monoprice. I've always liked them for most things ever since discovering them when I was looking for reality priced HDMI cables. I then disovered all the other stuff they had to offer like far better interconnects then the ones that you get with your gear or from rat shack or walmart, etc. and at a lower price. Also the odd items needed from time to time (converters, and such). Now talk about fast! Good heavens, it seems the stuff is at my door in an hour or before I'm done hitting the "complete order" button! This next day delivery for $4 or what have you can spoil you quick.

Again, thanks for all the candid replies. I can now put the whole interconnect thing to bed.

Yes, I just blow it off. I only bring it up because there was so much of it and so rabid. Needless to say I no longer go to any meets of that club. It seems they take delight in spending foolish amounts of money chasing elusive things while enjoying their music while judging others by trying to make them miserable for not running the same gear they do or whatever. I find that to be a very odd way to enjoy audio.

I agree, I just go with the cheapist delivery of anything from anywhere as it's good enough for me, I'm in no rush. It just so happens that Monoprice's cheapest gets to me the next day. I still think it's weird as I am used to waiting a good 5 to 7 business days. Hey, kudos to monoprice on that one I guess.

I'd hate to see the back of your system, yikes! Although with that amount of money invested you probably have some sort of cable management going on so it probably doesn't look scary at all.
Anyway, we may disagree here or there over semantics, but I thought you presented your position well and without the arrogance as did everyone else in this thread, unlike what I have seen from others in other places and threads so many times before.
Unfortunately, your right, as long as there are humans I think we will continue to see the arrogance from some folks in the "I run expensive cables" catagory towards the "those who don't" catagory and the reverse as well from those who don't and want to have equal arrogance in calling those that do names.
The rest of us who are civil and secure in our systems whatever they may be, will go on chatting with each other, exploring our systems, learning and helping each other out.