This is exactly what I have already said.

Typical transistor-based audio amplifiers are different enough from traditional vacuum-tube amplifiers, but when the cost does not matter it is possible to design transistor-based amplifiers that are equivalent with vacuum-tube amplifiers.

The example given by you shows that there are indeed many people who do not truly perceive the differences or non-differences, so they judge based on prejudices. Of course, I agree that there are many such people and the gold-plated cables were intended for them. I agree that they must exist also among the customers buying vacuum-tube amplifiers.