First of all, there are no absolutes, all of these cables/cords will be dependant on system, room and personal tastes.
That being said, IMHO, you are fairly close on your first two observations, though I would classify the Jade Hybrid closer to the Kubala-Sosna and Purist Audio camp while I would say the Rapture is faster and more transparent, closer to the Stealth camp, not so much the Nordost though. I don't feel that either of these cables are as fast, or thin sounding as the Nordost Valhalla. That's not a knock on the Valhalla, in the right system it can still shine. Also, I don't think saying one or the other would work best with tube or SS gear is accurate. For instance, I am a fan of tubed gear, and I find the Rapture highly engaging. Yet not so much so that I would sell my Hybrid's and buy the Rapture's. Again, this is more of a personal choice. IMHO the Rapture is more dynamic, does percussion with stunning effect and has the larger stage, while the Hybrid sounds better on brass and has a much deeper stage. I believe this will be the same whether using SS or tubes, and your choice would depend on your musical tastes, and your soundstage preferences. Do you prefer sitting closer to the stage, or do you prefer to have the rear walls vanish and sit mid hall?
I would disagree with your 3rd statement, as the word 'natural' can mean many different things to many different folks. I would not say that the K-S Emotion or Stealth Indra sound any more natural to me than the Jade Hybrid or GG Rapture. In fact, IMHO there is something to the fact that conductors with gold in them give brass instruments more bite, like live brass, again IMHO.
I also would take issue with your 4th statement. Again, Elrod and Stealth Dream (my favorite) make great power cords, but that doesn't mean they are the best....there is no absolute best. There are many great cords on the market. Each will work their magic in the right system, again to the right personal tastes. For instance, just because I found the Stealth Dream to work best in my system, I know others who have heard the Dream, and prefer cords from Dream State, BMI and many others. I have also heard the Dream State, BMI and many others, and though they did many things well, some things even better than the Stealth Dream, overall, the Stealth Dream worked better for my tastes, in my system.
Unfortunately, no one can tell you what cable/cord you will like. You just have to experiment for yourself, and draw your own conclusions. You pays your money, you makes your choices.
Cheers,
John
That being said, IMHO, you are fairly close on your first two observations, though I would classify the Jade Hybrid closer to the Kubala-Sosna and Purist Audio camp while I would say the Rapture is faster and more transparent, closer to the Stealth camp, not so much the Nordost though. I don't feel that either of these cables are as fast, or thin sounding as the Nordost Valhalla. That's not a knock on the Valhalla, in the right system it can still shine. Also, I don't think saying one or the other would work best with tube or SS gear is accurate. For instance, I am a fan of tubed gear, and I find the Rapture highly engaging. Yet not so much so that I would sell my Hybrid's and buy the Rapture's. Again, this is more of a personal choice. IMHO the Rapture is more dynamic, does percussion with stunning effect and has the larger stage, while the Hybrid sounds better on brass and has a much deeper stage. I believe this will be the same whether using SS or tubes, and your choice would depend on your musical tastes, and your soundstage preferences. Do you prefer sitting closer to the stage, or do you prefer to have the rear walls vanish and sit mid hall?
I would disagree with your 3rd statement, as the word 'natural' can mean many different things to many different folks. I would not say that the K-S Emotion or Stealth Indra sound any more natural to me than the Jade Hybrid or GG Rapture. In fact, IMHO there is something to the fact that conductors with gold in them give brass instruments more bite, like live brass, again IMHO.
I also would take issue with your 4th statement. Again, Elrod and Stealth Dream (my favorite) make great power cords, but that doesn't mean they are the best....there is no absolute best. There are many great cords on the market. Each will work their magic in the right system, again to the right personal tastes. For instance, just because I found the Stealth Dream to work best in my system, I know others who have heard the Dream, and prefer cords from Dream State, BMI and many others. I have also heard the Dream State, BMI and many others, and though they did many things well, some things even better than the Stealth Dream, overall, the Stealth Dream worked better for my tastes, in my system.
Unfortunately, no one can tell you what cable/cord you will like. You just have to experiment for yourself, and draw your own conclusions. You pays your money, you makes your choices.
Cheers,
John