I stand by my ears, but agree with you mostly........i don't belive all the 'over the top reviews'........but interconnects (some at least) do change the sound of the bass or treble (tonal balance)........and as i've added to the above, amps without tone controls can be frustrating if they play music too warm or too sharp. So many recordings differ in their quality and over all balance.
Some cable appear to act like tone controls in this way.
Lets face it, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between an expensive Naim amp and the same track played through a budget Nad amp............so would that mean they sound all the same, and all Naim amp people are kidding themselves that their symbols sound more real ? for an extra £1,000
No an interconnect is not as complicated, but some do alter the sound subtly, like tone controls on amplifiers (that have them)
I have been listening to and making (on and off) interconnects since the late 80's and yes most i've heard sound very very similar to each other.
But some do add or take somthing away, which may be the very thing you would like to add or take away from your kit.
I can't see the need to spend anything over £50 in the real world, that's why i selected the cable for the interconnects i've stated making, it sound as good as any interconnect i've ever heard, but with the best balance i've heard. But it's just my ears.........they could sound completly different to someone else...and someone else.......that is the weak/strong link in hi-fi..........the ears of the buyer/listener