epiphany

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $766.00

Summary:
Sounds organic, very liquid. Midrange is quite pure and lovely. Nice, full bass, not bloated. Comfortably warm, not overdone. Nice dimension, relaxed presentation. Non-fatiguing. Not the fastest, most resolving, but musically satisfying. Highly recommended. Sounds just wonderful. It is slightly pricey, depends on your perspective. There are lot more expensive cable and lots of cheaper stuff too. It's worth it actually. Try it before getting new speakers, new electronics. You may end saving some money. Quadlink 5c is good as well and minimum acceptable to my ears. Cross has better high frequency extension, but more of the same Cardas sound. Quadlink 5c, a litte too warm depending on context. Cardas is just quality stuff, the Mercedes of cable. Cable companies come and go, but Cardas sticks around. Best among the cable big boys.

Strengths:
Musical, aids in the enjoyment of the music.

Weaknesses:
Could be better is specific areas, but sum is more than parts. Nice overall package.

Price Paid:  $800.00 from The Cable Company

Summary:
Well, it's taken me a year to get my new system together, but after too many loans from the Cable Company (Thanks, Bob!)I'm convinced that Cardas is the cable for me. This stuff is just pure bliss- natural, warm, controlled, detailed, and balanced throughout the frequency spectrum. The thing is, I think this stuff works well with modest equipment ( I have used it with Acurus) and top of the line stuff. Bottom line for me, I'm happy and glad to stop evaluating cable and just listen!

My equipment-
Rega 25 w/Audio Technica ML-150
Acurus P10 phono preamp
Musical Fidelity A3CR amp and preamp
Musical Fidelity A3 24bit CD player
B&W Nautilus 805 speakers
Chang Lightspeed 9600
Cardas Quadlink 5C interconnects

Strengths:
warmth, transparency, controlled bass

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
JPS Labs, Synergistic, Harmonic Tech, Van den Hul, etc.

Price Paid:  $430.00 from Audio Advisor

Summary:
Before break-in the Cardas Cross had an edgy glare on high level vocals. After three days continuously on an FM tuner the glare vanished and the cable sounded great.

With Quadlink 5C cables I had a very neutral sound balance. The Cross interconnect change added more detail and warmth. Since my system is phono/tube based I want a warm lifelike response. Just the ticket with the Cross. If you like cold, hard, sterile sound don't bother with these cables.

Equipment:
VPI TNT MK3 with JMW 10 arm/Sigma Genisis 2000 Mk 2
ARC SP 14
ARC D125
Cardas Quadlink 5C speaker cable (4.5 M)
Magnaplanar IIIa speakers

Strengths:
Detailed, warm, lifelike, and dimensional

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Cardas Quadlink 5C interconnect

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Audioreview Classified

Summary:
I got a great deal on one of the finer cables made for the audio industry. The cardas at first seemed a little bright, but after many hours of listening, they seemed to really open up. It is a very transparent cable and accurately reproduces what your sources capabilities are. If you have mediocre electronics, this cable is NOT for you as it will expose any and all weaknesses. I have extensively used the microtwin cardas cable and although it is a good cable in its own right, the cross soundstage is far bigger and is in another level overall. For performance, this cable receives 5 stars, for value at regular price 4, but since I paid well less than half price, it is a 5 for value as well. I could not recommend this cable any higher for those who have entry level audiophile equipment.

Strengths:
Transparency, detail

Weaknesses:
none found

Similar Products Used:
Cardas Microtwin, Tara labs Prism 5/22; Monster

Summary:
A true high end cable without a lot of the hype. I've auditioned many cables in the same price range and found the Cross to work best in my system. I truely believe cable matching is critical to finding audio esctasy. I searched almost a year for the right interconnects between my Bryston Amp/Pre. Compared to cables from Kimber, MIT, etc., the Crosses was one of few that gave my system life. The other cables had too many decifiencies that were immediately obvious when compared side by side. I spent a lot of time and $$ in my quest for audio heaven and I think I found it with the Cross and Golden Cross. I suppose the Cross are a cost effective version of the Golden Cross. I would try these cables first because I think more and likely, they'll become your reference for comparing all others. Again, system matching is key and that includes cables. Overall, I think the Cross will work well with most highend systems.

Strengths:
Midrange and HF bloom. Full Spectrum seems to get thru. 95% Golden Cross's performance at 50% of the price.

Weaknesses:
RCA termination is big.

Similar Products Used:
Transparent, Audioquest, Kimber, MIT, etc.