Cable upgrades

Just caught this thread, interesting! 

Just heard back from the seller.  He does not want to offer a refund.  He figures I just don't like the cable, so I can simply resell it.  I told him that the problem is the cable doesn't work as it should.  And therefore, I can't resell it, in good faith.

I also suggested that if I send it to Cardas and they determine it's faulty or fake, then I'd have to pursue a fraud claim.  Although, that's probably not gonna bear much fruit.  So I asked him again for a refund, and offered to cover the cost of return shipping.  We'll see what he comes back with.  My guess is he won't comply.

I'd send it to Cardas, as many have suggested, but my gut is that it's not counterfeit, but rather, old, and perhaps damaged in some way.  And by the time I pay for shipping, validation, re-termination (assuming it's okay...which doesn't make sense, given its sonic signature), shipping back, duty/taxes/brokerage fees etc -- just so I can resell it -- it's doubtful if it would be worth my time.

It's tough for us being across the border- I bought a cable and recently returned it direct from a manufacturer with a 30 day return policy, and it still cost me over $100 in shipping/duties/taxes, and that is with them substantially de-valuing the product for customs purposes! There must be a way to claim the taxes back if it is returned, but is it worth my hassle? There wasn't even an option in the customs docs for "returned product" so I checked off the "warranty/repair" option when sending it back, so hopefully there isn't another broker charge on their end I will have to pay for as well. 

I am curious as heck to investigate who this might have been you purchased this from- shows pretty bad if you are confronted as possibly selling a counterfeit product, and not giving someone their money back. Myself, I would absolutely refund the money and take the product back as opposed to having that bad feedback and not being able to sleep knowing you ripped someone off, whether it was known or not- but from your response above when the person was confronted it almost seems like they knew. If they said "just resell it", essentially pass the problem onto someone else, that shows alot about their integrity, or lack of it. For sure I would follow up with this person if it turns out to be a fake, and provide the necessary feedback so the next purchaser is made aware of that possibility from this seller. 

Update us when you hear- I am dying to find out! 

@audphile1

In my experience the Silver Ref II work best between source and preamp, with Matrix Ref II or Absolute Copper between preamp and amp. That allows for some of the not so great attributes of silver ref to be balanced out by the copper downstream

That is so weird- good timing with that post as I just did this last night!

I have Silver Ref.II from my DAC to my Marchand, and Absolute between the Marchand and the high channel Apollon amp (no pre)

I just flipped them yesterday for the first time, and yeah, it was not as good. I am still trying to put my finger on why; the detail was still there, but it was not as open- like more detail in the body, but not as much extension. I wish I had another absolute I could plug in place of the Silver Ref to see if that is better or worse?

Have you tried absolute/absolute source/pre/amp- ? 

@mclinnguy Got the cables back from Cardas yesterday. They are now certified and have been re-terminated with updated sleeves. They look brand new!  I’ve got them in my system and will give them a month before deciding whether they stay or get resold.

As you pointed out, the whole exercise cost about $150Cdn. But if I do decide to sell, I can assure the potential purchaser that the cables are ready for prime time.

Best, JAMES

@audphile1 Thanks for detailing the AZ setup. If I head in that direction, I’ll probably start with the Matrix Ref IIs — although, I may add a preamplifier to the chain sooner than later. Might stay in the Benchmark stack, and get an LA4, if a good one comes up on the used market.

Thanks again for your support. I really appreciate it.

Best, JAMES

My suggestion to you is if you want to open up your system a little bit more change all the cables to OCC single crystal which is what audio sensibility uses, far superior to anything OFC.