Some blind cable testing was done maybe 5 or 6 months ago...if you want the results, they exist in the TS.com archives. As I recall, they were conclusive in favor of silver-clad cables.
Having said this, I wonder if I can help the original poster by telling my own cable story.
I joined this list several years ago but didn't get active until a year ago. One of my very first questions involved the issue of cables and frankly I just didn't believe that cables could make a difference. I'm an engineer and a skeptic.
After getting lots of non-answers and HEATED arguments between knowledgeable and respected people on this list...I couldn't come to any conclusions from their input alone, so I ended up deciding that I had to do some testing of my own. I bought about 4 sets of cables...from the $35 copper pair with StarQuad wire up to a $175 pair of AudioMagic Hyperconductors.
What I discovered FOR MYSELF was this...the silver clad cables have a more transparent sound to them in A vs. B tests and to my ears just deliver an overall better and more open sound than the cheap cables. The sound difference between cables is not, nor would it ever be like 'WOW those sound GRRREAT'. But it's more like, 'OK they sound a little better'. Transparency is probably the most apt adjective that I'm able to think of right now.
For purposes in investing in audio gear, I have no problem with the logic that people are presenting when they say that there are more important variables in the equation for getting a good sounding recording that good cables. Of course, everyone should logically know already that there are any number of variables that go into getting a good sounding pull.
Lots of people are saying mic placement is the most important. No, I would counter that the soundboard engineers ability to mix a good sounding show is _THE_ most important factor.
But that's not the point. The question was not, 'what's the most important variable to getting a good recording'...the question was 'does a cable make a difference?'
So, to answer directly the question, because of my own testing in which I indeed convinced myself (much to my surprise, I might add) that the cable quality makes some difference, I personally came to the conclusion that, since I was spending over $2000 in a quest to obtain equipment that delivers a good sound, it was a justifiable investment to also buy better quality cables.
Keep in mind, you don't need to break the bank here. Good quality silver clad cables are selling on the Yard Sale for $70 to $100. In addition, from what I've heard, I'm sure the Van Den Huls are worth the price being asked. For my own rig, that price is a no-brainer for the sake of getting a 'OK it sounds a little better' sounding rig since I'd already invested over $2K.
I'm not claiming that this is the final word and answer to this debate...all I'm saying is that this is the reasoning that went into my personal decision making.