Got Redmere in yesterday.
My ht system:
Pioneer sc-79 AVR
Oppo 105
Def tech bp7000s, 8080hd center, 4 in wall 75 running full range
Cardas Neutral Ref bi wire cable
Audio test: steely dan gaucho multi channel SACD
Results similar to Jdlynch: AQ Diamonds exhibited slightly fuller mid and bass, but most noticeable was finer resolution of highs. Very evident in first track babylon sister where the wind chimes go back and forth across the rear channels and no other music is present. About 1.5 min into the song.
I listened to this section 5 times.
Although not earth shattering, the audio advantage is enough for me to keep the AQ diamond, especially since i only paid $500. I don't know if I could get the same advantage over the Redmere with lower price AQ offering.
Video testing:
Did not a b between my oppo105 , only did the test between my cable box on hd channels, since that is what I watch majority of the time. I don't believe this is full 1080p hd.
Results: Swapping Redmere for the AQ diamond brought back the same distortion I experienced with the stock cables when viewing my 70 elite LCD. So I am keeping the loaner AQ diamond for the cable box to AVR.
I think the Redmere are a great bargain for their price, and especially how easy to work with for light components. That said, with my full array, local dimming LED set, they did not perform any better video wise compared to my stock generic hdmi cables for hd cable tv.
So, unfortunately for my budget, the AQ diamonds were a significant improvement video wise and are staying.
The one caveat here is that the redmere was put in right out of the package, where as the AQs were used and fully burned in.
I will let the Windmere run in for couple days straight in my oppo and see if there is any difference in pic quality between the cable hd compared to the non burned in performance.