"Thomas G. Marshall" . com
wrote in
AFAICT, the /universe/ uses essentially three kinds of
AV/audio/s-video/component cables. I'll gladly accept correction here.

1. The mostly inexpensive ~6 to 12 dollars
2. Acoustic Research
3. Monster

Is there a lesser known manufacturer out there than anyone particularly
loves that is cheaper, but of similar quality at AR or M.

Look in the Calrad catalog, since they have cables quite similar to Monster
at much, much lower prices, and they even offer "locking" RCA type cables.

But best of all why not purchase your own cable from a store that carries
Belden, Alpha Wire, etc., and make your own cables? This is surely one of
the last ways where DIY still applies with our hobby.