Audience Au24 vs. Ridge Street Audio?

I've compared the 2 side by side for many hours.
In my system, the Poiema was an outstanding performer. The Audience AU-24, however, was a little better in the following areas:

A. Transparency- a slightly deeper view into the soundstage.
B. Realism- can't quite describe it...the AU-24's just give me that "I'm there" feeling.
C. Smooth yet detailed- The AU-24's were better in this regard.

Of course, before the Poeima guys lambast me, let me state again that it's a wonderful cable...I just found the AU-24 a better fit for me and my ears.

If you buy the Poiemas, I recommend the single ended...I found them better than the balanced pair I tried.

I have the opposite view since I went from the AU 24 to the Poeima's . Both Cables offer fine resolution, I just felt in my system the midrange a little recessed on the AU 24's . It could be a matter of personal taste. Danlib where were you using the RS XLR becuase I took a look at your system {very nice ! } and correct me If Im wrong , but I though I read somewhere the Sony SCD-1 , even though it has XLR outputs, is not fully balanced. The RS XLR in my system {Classe } is fantastic. Anyway I have great respect for both companies as they are both innovative in their design.

Darrylhifi-

I agree on your assessment of both companies. I tried the Poiema balanced between the SCD-1 and Sim P-5, between the ECD-1 DAC and the P-5, and between the P-5 and the Pass X-250 amp. Again, I just liked the single-ended version better in my system.

Strange , becuase I compared the Poeima single ended vs The Poeima XLR and preferred the XLR . Who knows ! Enjoy !

I have selected the Poiema cables over the AU24. I alternately used both single ended and balanced pieces from both companies....during the same time period in my system. The balanced cables were used between an AtmaSphere MP3 and AtmaSphere M60's. The single ended pieces were used between an AudioLogic MXL DAC and the MP3 AtmaSphere. I also had both single ended and balanced digital links which were alternately used between the AudioLogic and a CEC TL1-X transport. Speaks are Mini Utopias/Utopia sub and power correction is my own proprietary design. The AU24 took on a seductive, "you are there" type sound that was....well...interesting. Initially it is pleasant, but I grew tired of it fast. It gave way to a slow sound with muted highs. I would think that the AU24 may work very well in a system that suffers from aggressive high frequency abnormalities coupled with a recessed midrange. The "you are there" sound that has been previously identified is present for sure and could be very helpful in some set-ups. The AU24 digital cables muted the highs but produced the "you are there" sound to a much lesser degree than the interconnects. The Poiema cables not only better the AU24 cables, they are my reference after years of buying and living with many of the more popular high end designs. I never went as far as throwing down hard earned green for the ridiculously expensive MIT/Transparent products, but I have over extended myself at times just to hear what some of the Golden Ear boys are raving about. I can tell you this: you can spend a lot more than what you need to lay out for the RSD Poiema cables but I have yet to find ANYTHING that betters it. Poiema is true to the music that it passes from component to component. They will not color the signal in any way and will not restrict any of the dynamics that are essential in providing a realistic reproduction of a musical event. I love'em!