CARDAS Fans: Golden vs. Neutral vs. Presence?

Quite a difference in opinion. Just as I found on searching the net on these.

I wasn't even asking about the Golden Cross, but I appreciate the opinions. That cable seems to have many admirers. From my understanding, it has an engaging, pleasant sound that lacks some detail and is a bit rolled off on the highs. People especially like it who find it makes their older, less than perfect recordings sound more pleasant.

It is interesting that two gentlemen here moved on from Cardas and really don't like it. I have found other similar comments on Audiogon and other sites, as I have found high praise as well.

It seems the Golden Reference IC gets higher marks than the speaker cable. Some consider the spkr. cable a bit heavy in the bass, but the "body" vs. "mouth" emphasis thing is what I wonder about. I do know what that reviewer was talking about, because I hear this in other components. Rather than hearing the resonant cavity of the throat, or guitar or violin body, certain components emphasize the "lip" sound or the sibilants or attack on the notes, to the detriment of thinning out the important resonant component, which gives body to the sound, sounding less electronic and more real.

I certainly welcome more comments. And I've heard from no one regarding the Neutral Reference or the Golden Presence.

Firedrums, you don't find the NR to be bright on the highs? So, do you use the NR or Nordost now?

SNS, you say the GR would give more "body than mouth". However, that is the opposite of the reviewer I referred to. He claimed there was more of the mouth, less of the body. Confusing.

Chris in Netherlands, the Crescendos I had reviewed were borrowed and not for sale. There are personal reasons I did not end up purchasing Crescendo though I had intentions of doing so.

Muralman, it's curious you found them noisy when so many have commented on how black and quiet they are.

Firedrums, why did you not continue to use the Neutral Ref speaker cables, instead moving to Nordost? I'm guessing because the Golden Cross was so warm, you needed the Nordost to give it definition.

I'm still trying to find those with Golden Presence.

It has been said the G Presence IC is the same as G Ref, except less shielding. But I also heard that was not true.

Also, the G Presence speaker wire. Since it has 4 bundles of conductors, like the Neutral Ref, how is it different? It certainly costs more.

Muralman, your system looks killer, and your posts show you to be a well-seasoned audiophile.

From your MIT comment, I would guess you hate networked cables. My only experience was with a borrowed Transparent that sounded pretty good at the time to my ears, though probably pumped up and larger than life, so it impressed me.

Are you referring to Gold Ref shielding and/or outer jacketing as the noisemakers?

Perhaps the Gold Presence w/less shielding would sound better.

Have you fooled around with the AQ DBS stuff? Curious how that may effect dielectric issues.

SNS, on Golden Presence, there are obviously less conductors than G ref (4 groups vs. 12 groups). But, on the IC, I am pretty sure the design is very similar. So it should sound much different than Neutral Ref IC, and more like G Ref. But what do I know?

SNS, you use Speltz as well. Is this anywhere in the same league? I've heard both praise and lackluster comments on the Speltz.

Muralman, interesting your experience with the Speltz. I was intrigued by them, but after reading tons of opinions out there, I was left with the impression that they were only good for the money, but they could not begin to compete with moderate, yet alone high, price cables. Some people did not like them at all, finding tonal and balance problems.