Musical, aids in the enjoyment of the music.

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

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.

detailed, rich, warm, build quality.

colour (green)- but this could be a strength as well.
price - but one shouldn't complain, the Golden Cross costs twice as much!!

Speaker Cable:
This cable has been the single most satisfying upgrade in my system.

Firstly, the prerequisite. As expected from anything in this price range, overall detail and clarity is faultless. The soundstage is deep and wide and delivered with pin-point accuracy. Highs and mids are delivered to the maximum capability of copper. Treble is free from grain and midrange lush. However, the strength of this cable lies in its lows. Bass is tight, rich and extended. This results in an overall presentation that is rich and warm. Don't get me wrong, prior to getting them I never thought my system to be thin. They just add an element of grandeur to the presntation. They go very well with the nimble and dynamic ProAcs. I have heard them coupled with higher end Response floor standers where they sound equally at home. Highly reccomended.

Equipment used:-
Marantz CD17KIS
Audio Analugue Puccini SE
ProAc Tablette 50 Sig
Van Den Hul 1st I/C
Cardas Cross S/C
AQ P/C

Similar Products Used:

numerous

Transparency, detail

none found

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.

Similar Products Used:

Cardas Microtwin, Tara labs Prism 5/22; Monster

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

RCA termination is big.

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.

Similar Products Used:

Transparent, Audioquest, Kimber, MIT, etc.

I tried the Cross between my preamp and cd player. This cable provided much smoother highs and an overall darker background with a tube-like sound. There was plenty of detail and bass, but I can understand why some reviewers feel that the latter can be a problem. I personally feel that the Cross improves on the overall sound quality of my system. I have a pair of Totem Mani-2's and they can sound aggressive at times; the Cross is able to tame them without losing any dynamics.

Similar Products Used:

Cardas Quadlink 5C, Twinlink; Van den Hul (The second)

I use the Cross interconnects between my CD and preamp. It helped smooth out some harshness in my system while still providing high clarity and detail. It also provides warmth and musicality which allows me to listen to my stereo for much longer periods of time than before. A good buy for me.

After completing an overhaul and rebuilding of my system, the time came toput the finishing touches on my creation - new interconnects.

With the help of my favorite dealer, I bought Cardas Cross interconnects,
balanced (XLR) for the connection between my Theta Miles and Classe CP-50
preamp, and single-ended (RCA) to my DNA 0.5 power amp. I mention the
equipment models because I think the Cardas Cross compliments this mix very
well.

It does take a few hours for the cables to begin to settle down and lose some
initial harshness and glare (as the company literature suggests). By the
second day of listening (after some overnight burning in) I could hear clear
improvements in soundstage depth, detail and frequency response. These
are excellent cables for a system that may need a less forward presentation.
Most of all, these cables added a "smoothness" that was missing from my
system.

I have also heard the top of line Golden Cross, and while it is a shade better, I
don't know if the extra 50% in price is worth it. Anyway, Cardas makes an
excellent product and I heartily recommend them.

Nice cable (Cardas Cross RCA interconnect) but audition with care!I ended up preferring my cheaper XLO Reference Type 1 RCA interconnect.
It was more transparent and more dynamic. The Cross was smooth, rich, and full bodied. Depends highly on your system and source material. Good if you have an agressive system or bright digital CD. Could be a 5 star for you, but only 3 star for me...

Very good on detail, quiet background

Too much mid-low bass, lack of musical

I borrow a pair of Cross from the local delar. When I plug this cable between my pre-amp and power-amp, I feel mid-low bass too much. Eventhough the bass is tight, this cable emphsis it too much. If I play a vocal CD, the the voice is too dull. I cannot really feel the singer sing the song. I compare the Cross with Golden Reference. The Golden Reference play musically. The mid-bass is much naturl. If you want a better cable, you have to paly more.

If you like very heavy bass, Cross may be fine. I would get a cable that can reproduce the natrul sound. The tone of cable can be changed by break-in. If it is a good cable, a few hours should be enough for break-in.

If you really want to get a better cabel, go for Golden Reference. The tone is balance from low to hi frequece.

warmth, transparency, controlled bass

none

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

Similar Products Used:

JPS Labs, Synergistic, Harmonic Tech, Van den Hul, etc.