Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Cardas Audio Golden Reference Interconnect Cable by demosasp@otenet.gr

Model:	Golden Reference Interconnect
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$1000
Description:	The latest evolutionary interconnect design by George Cardas.
Manufacturer URL:	Cardas Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by demosasp@otenet.gr ( A ) on April 24, 2006 at 07:21:55
IP Address: 87.203.174.248

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for the Golden Reference Interconnect

I recently brought two of the Cardas Reference interconnects to check out. Neutral Reference and Golden Reference.

Golden Reference in my opinion and systems is darker in the upper regions and slightly richer in the mid-band than Neutral Reference. In general, both cables have a physical and organic bass. Golden Reference has clearly tighter and more focused bass over Neutral. I also prefered by far the slightly darker, slightly closer higher frequency presentation of Golden than the somewhat hard or edgy Neutral high freq. spectrum. Also I prefer the way 'neutrallity' comes over the Golden. I found also Neutral Reference not so close to the original timbres of f.e. violins or stringed instruments, this was not so present via Golden.

Golden (after 100 hours of break-in) is a smooth operator. Neutral is smooth also with lower resolution and detail and (stange) harder at high freqs, smoother at mid-low band and slightly thinner and edgy at the mid-band compared with G.R., something that Golden Reference is very proud of.

Retaining the Cardas spirit, both cables have class A imaging and a big soundstage with tromendous depth. I prefered listening Paganini's 24 Caprice (Telarc) via Golden Refernce. The only thing I expected more was slightly more air at the top freqs. and slightly thinner bottom end. Also microdynamics were almost prefect via Neutral Reference (the strange phenomena with cables) but with G.R. microdynamics stepped down a little in exchange with a more 'magic' glow and feel in voices that are beautiful rendered.

Product Weakness: Not for the 'silver-cable' lovers, it comes from another planet than f.e. Acoustic Zen Silver Reference Mk II.
Product Strengths: It likes Solid States, a very sophisticated cable with very good total presentation that will leave almost anyone satisfied with the purchase. Carries cardas blood and sound inside and it is the most resolving and high resolution cable cardas offers with sweet voicing and velvel high frequencies. Loves rock, a rather full bold and dark presentation.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Blue Circle
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Musical Fidelity A5 moslty
Speakers:	Proac
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas, Acoustic Zen, Audience
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, Metal
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Shunyata Hydra 6
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not for the 'silver-cable' lovers, it comes from another planet than f.e. Acoustic Zen Silver Reference Mk II.
Product Strengths:	It likes Solid States, a very sophisticated cable with very good total presentation that will leave almost anyone satisfied with the purchase. Carries cardas blood and sound inside and it is the most resolving and high resolution cable cardas offers with sweet voicing and velvel high frequencies. Loves rock, a rather full bold and dark presentation.