>>also, forget buying audio magics for the price, get another set of mics for yourself. at least mics retain their value (good luck getting close to what you paid for a pair of audio magics)<<
i say forget the retail price and get them off audiogon for a steal. that's what i've done. i've never even paid close to retail for mine. i think they destroy any other cables for the price though, especially when that price is 50% off
(and it's easier to get back what you paid when you paid half price)
note: i've never used the xstreams f or prestos, so i have no idea how those sound