"Neutral Reference" is the only set in the lineup I had not tried from Cardas before I moved on to other brand OCC cables. @rlb61 your comment about it sounding "thin" is what I learned from a few friends, so I skipped them. Owned many others prior, and did some early demo evaluation with the latest clear line past 2-3 years. Never quite found what I wanted. Was hoping Clear Reflections would be a good mix, and for some reason just could not get there with them either. Maybe my system, almost gave up.
CGR:
While I’ve been experimenting with Analysis Plus Crystal OCC cables the past few years with my tube amps, and loving the amazing sound stage and depth...recently had a hankering to go back and re-try the Golden Reference (CGR) once again. Bought 3 pairs a few months ago. Two pairs for the sources and a 1.5M pair between my tube preamp and tube amps. Very nice, I had forgotten what these sounded like. I received the newer design/version with the updated connectors on the GCRs for my interconnects. I’m going to experiment with re-mixing the CGRs with the AP OCC crystals. So far its another interesting combo, a bit of the best from both worlds meshed together. Definitely hearing some of that memorable tone, texture, and musicality I recalled long ago from some of the earlier Cardas. Guitars, strings, and piano keys sound glorious once again. A fun throwback for sure, keepers this time around. Fun to rotate them in now every once in a while.
CGR:
While I’ve been experimenting with Analysis Plus Crystal OCC cables the past few years with my tube amps, and loving the amazing sound stage and depth...recently had a hankering to go back and re-try the Golden Reference (CGR) once again. Bought 3 pairs a few months ago. Two pairs for the sources and a 1.5M pair between my tube preamp and tube amps. Very nice, I had forgotten what these sounded like. I received the newer design/version with the updated connectors on the GCRs for my interconnects. I’m going to experiment with re-mixing the CGRs with the AP OCC crystals. So far its another interesting combo, a bit of the best from both worlds meshed together. Definitely hearing some of that memorable tone, texture, and musicality I recalled long ago from some of the earlier Cardas. Guitars, strings, and piano keys sound glorious once again. A fun throwback for sure, keepers this time around. Fun to rotate them in now every once in a while.