antero

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.60 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from used

Summary:
When I first got the Golden Reference powercord I was very pleasantly surprised at the improvement in musicality it offered over the Audiquest powercords I was using at the time. Due to some system synergy, it also mated really well with 2 of my cd players at the time (Audio Refinement and Marantz), adding richness and some weight to the music.

After I upgraded to 2 better players, this cord really became the limiting factor in terms of system performance. It lacks PRaT, real-life dynamics, and sounds rolled off in the highs. Compared to some powercords that replaced it (shunyata black mamaba v2, shunyata taipan, revelation audio labs precept II) it became apparent that this powercord did not have as low a noise floor - rendering less overall detail to the music -, nor did it have the 3D soundstage or the accuracy in bass. These powercords were more or less in the same price range new (at that time) but the performance of the cardas power cord was not in the same league as the others in my system. When I eventually upgraded to the shunyata anaconda Vx the difference in the sound of staggering. I won't say anymore. (it did help though to equip the entire system with same range powercords).

Perhaps there are some instances where this powercord may achieve some real synergy in certain systems. Of all the ones I've heard where the cardas GR powercords were used, the overall sound never sounded as convincing as when other powercords were used, although sometimes it sounded more musical ... but usually also more slow.

Weaknesses:
Due to the amount of weaknesses noted in my review I really cannot justify giving them a positive rating, especially considering their price (NEW).

Similar Products Used:
many good, some very good, and a few exceptional powercords like the shunyata anaconda Vx, revelation audio labs Precept, electraglide epiphany X v.2, kubala-sosna Emotion. I kept the later.

Berjan

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $300.00 from 2nd hand

Summary:
This powercord is all about musicallity. Connecting it to my hybrid amp (Pathos New Classic One), replacing Van Den Hul Mainstream PC, provided me with a sound that is so much more real, live, smooth and textured! Voices (especially female) stood further into the room and became more natural. Strings (guitar, violin, etc.) improved dramatically, with much more texture. The PC provided a blacker background, so more details and ambience noice are heard. Bass has improved also. But the most unexpected and mayby biggest advancement in my system is that the music sounds so much more natural and smooth! The Golden Reference definately complements my Pathos amp well.

Strengths:
Smoothness, texture, detail, soundstage depth.

Weaknesses:
Looks ugly, deserves to be nicer looking at this price.

Similar Products Used:
Van den Hul The Mainstream Hybrid

demos100

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $500.00 from -

Summary:
Its the best Power cable I own and use. This cable is perfectly matching with tube amplifiers - for me: a must have cable. You cannot come back and you will never think to use other AC cables any more. Its fast, presents more-more detail, revealing , spacious, adds air and make tube amps even more stress-free, silk sounding, creamy midrange without leaning any freq., no hi-freq. roll offs, no rosy/compressed but fast bass = just delicate solid state fast bass that you thought your tube amp never had - you name it, its there. Comparing this with the original AC cord is silly, the difference is day and night, I thought I brought another amp costing x5 the money of my KT88 equipped amp. Also I tried Van Den Hul The Mainstream cable, huge difference with the original AC cord but also huge difference with Cardas. VDH adds less air, less freedom than Cardas and somehow it represents the whole music recordings with a character that is midrange and hi-freq. probolic and coloured plus finally im sure it adds an effect. Cardas does not adds an effect , it adds much-much of freedom,right speed without drying freq.,magic upgrade of focus, clarity, warm, creamy and crystal clear soundstage, without character and hyper-analytic. This cable is a must.

Strengths:
The best by far AC cable. Differences are day and night comparing even with half price AC cables. Also its shielded. 15A. A must-buy for tube lovers.

Weaknesses:
Cannot return to any other AC Cable.

Similar Products Used:
VDH The Mainstream Hybrid etc.

antero

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.80 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from audiogon

Summary:
This powercord is very good. Bought it fully burned in off audiogon. I've had it for less than a week and it sounds awesome on my Cd player. Compared to previous Audioquest NRG-3 and Nrg-5 pc's, this Caradas pc has more detail, more air, more musicality, better focus and slower rhythm. NRG-5 was better on the amp though (I found cardas golden ref too slow for my liking here). Would highly recommend this powercord to anyone who can afford it for their source equipment. Made my cd player sound very musical and my DVD/SACD player sound definitely analog.

Strengths:
Air/detail/low noise floor/exceptional focus/musicality/build/flexibility. Just simply put, a great powercord.

Weaknesses:
Very ridgid at the sleeve, hard to bend, wish it has an L connector at source end.

Similar Products Used:
Audioquest NRG-2/3/5, Cardas Golden powercable, other stock (worthless freebies) powercords.

Price Paid:  $315.00 from Jeffs Sound Values

Summary:
Very short time with this PC but so far very impressed. I was using the Audio Asylum PC (from DIY Cable) and didn't expect to hear lots of differences in a 10x more expensive cable. But I was floored by the difference; comparable to a really good speaker cable or IC upgrade. Better upper bass, better separation of instruments, more air, and a nice rich sound. Who knew that a freekin PC could make such a difference?

Strengths:
Well made, reveals bass line detail, removes veils

Weaknesses:
Expensive (even used!!)

Similar Products Used:
Audio Asylum Power cable kit