Moving up from Cardas Clear

Hi Leatherneck

I was deciding between Golden Ref and Clear Light but unfortunately my local dealer does not have Clear Light for trial. He did however have Clear. I was surprised to find that Golden Ref had some sibilance in less pristine recordings of brass instruments while Clear did not. Clear was very extended but natural even though it had less body and warmth compared to Golden Ref.

I actually wanted to get Golden Cross as I don't mind sacrificing speed and extension for warmth and body but that has been discontinued.

How does Clear Light compare to these?

Thanks

Mickey,

Have they discontinued Golden Reference too? If not, I think that would give you a bit of added warmth vs Clear.

Try some Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C and experience. I have had many ultra high end speaker cables in my system but the 5Cs have proven to be the most consistent, reliable, warm sounding and enjoyable one across a wide spectrum of music. You cannot go really wrong with this one. Also their used prices make them a bargain. In my system, i keep alternating between my Cardas and my Jorma Unity speaker cables depending on music. But the Cardas is the all rounder, sweet cable while Jorma is the more focused and clean one.

Camb, they still have Golden Ref but in my system , there is some sibilance with it although not with Clear even though Golden Ref is the warmer cable overall.

Lall, Hexlink Golden 5C is supposed to be faster but less warm than Golden Cross or Golden Ref

Mickey,

I've replaced my Cardas Clear Light cables with Clear upstream of the preamp.

I'm now thinking of replacing the long Clear Light IC's from the preamp to the amp with Clears.

My opinion of Clear Light IC's is that they are very close to Clears with a bit less bottom end, a bit less sweetness on the top and perhaps a bit less organic. In other words, I might put it as Clear Lights are 80% as good as Clears at 1/3rd the price.

I suspect in most systems you won't hear the difference.