Well, since you seem to enjoy the QED, which is actually silver plated copper, not silver, you may look at other cables with similar conductors. Nordost and Audio Horizons offer silver plated copper conductors, among others I'm sure, but these are the only two silver plated copper cables that I've used. I wouldn't call either one of these smooth, but they are very revealing. Personally, I find these cables too bright for me, I think even pure silver is a bit smoother than silver plated copper, but as always, YMMV.
I see we have different ideas of forward sound. My idea of forward sound is a sound-stage that places you in the front row versus one with a more mid hall perspective. You describe a highlighted midrange band, which does sound more like the MIT cables that I've heard. MIT does have a deep 3D stage though, it is not a forward presentation in my sense, like the AP cables are. Some folks love that immediate, front row energy. I prefer a deeper more 3 dimensional stage.
I see we have different ideas of forward sound. My idea of forward sound is a sound-stage that places you in the front row versus one with a more mid hall perspective. You describe a highlighted midrange band, which does sound more like the MIT cables that I've heard. MIT does have a deep 3D stage though, it is not a forward presentation in my sense, like the AP cables are. Some folks love that immediate, front row energy. I prefer a deeper more 3 dimensional stage.