Yeah, the majority of people good quality music reproduction is just not a priority. Even people who listen to my system and are wow'd don't get motivated to do anything to improve their own.

Jaxwired, don't be a skeptic. Your CD player probably came with a pair of cheezy interconnects, put them in place of your Audioquest to hear what happens. You should have some old speaker wire around and, if not, zip cord is cheap, switch it out with your AQ. Only do one thing at a time though. Then maybe try replacing both. This should be an easy thing for you to do. If you do it please post your impression. Then you won't be a skeptic any more, you'll know you wasted your money, or be thoroughly convince it was well spent. If it was a waste, then, lesson learned and it won't happen again.