I agree with most of what you said. Cables represent legitimate tuning options. I don't agree with your assessment of Kimber Select. Neutral is not how I would describe it. In fact I don't like anything about it.
I didn't like what Siltech did in my system. As you suggested, it changed the sound significantly and not for the better. It was a bit of a dog's breakfast, actually--it projected at certain frequencies, receded at others and I found it both glary and bright.
I use Transparent XL Reference MM2.
Transparent? EQ Boxes with cheap connectors? Oh boy. Not a fan.