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Review 2 of 2
Price Paid:
$250.00
from - Summary: Cardas and Acoustic Zen are two of the companies I have great respect about their products. Im a very happy owner of Golden Reference and Neutral Reference interconnects. Golden Reference is by far the best interconnect I ever had and is my absolute reference - second to none.
I had to find a rather cheap interconnect - a mid-budget product - to be my reference for under 300 Euros (about $350). I tried a lot of interconnects, magic was out, brighness, opaque, darkness, unwanted shine, restricted soundstage, no air surroundings, bad musical flow, noises - different bad things with different brands - you name it. I thought that there were no good hi-end interconnects under this price point. Since I once dropped the Cardas Quadlink 5C RCA. I was already used/own Neutral Reference and Golden Reference and I was complete with Golden R.. I never tried a mid-price Cardas cable before. I did not believe what I was hearing. It was stunning. For the first time I felt like money is not the case here and this interconnect will very easily replace any interconnect of $1000+ and do the job without any flaw. At first, comparing with Neutral Reference, I found an unbelievable for the category precision in imaging, bass quickness, absolutely top-class soundstage, fantastic musicallity and rare at any price music flow. I found it more macro-dynamic than N.R. , with the right amount of body, rich without beign too bold sacrificing imaging,detail or texture. Slightly warm with grain-free high frequencies (something also very hard, combining all the rest or beign so transparent) . Mids and high frequencies are a dream. I still cannot believe that this cable delivers so many good things together. From orchestral and chorus works to heavy metal bands , the sound was stunning - so the soundstage precision and especially depth. Its my absolute reference for under $500 and a cable that you may prefer to switch with your much-much pricier interconnect and will stay in your chain regardless any price. Cardas is about musicallity, richness, harmonic correctness, golden glow, fantastic high's, right bass notes. This cable is here for the 1st award. I love the sound between source and tube amps but also it sounds fantastic feeding any solid-state amp. You won't believe the difference. Remember the word 'flow' . Also, regarding detail and subtle, its so great I still cannot believe it. Strengths: Faultless. Second to none in this price category. Weaknesses: Needs -as all cables- a lot of break-in. First hours its sounds slighlty-slightly harder in the mid-range than after 50 hours or so. If you are not a Cardas owner, this propably will replace your current $+ interconnect , at any price category your cables or gear belongs. Similar Products Used: Many-Many.
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