Z squared AUAU gold alloy ICs, no image at all

Hi
I have just bough a pair of Z squared audio 2.0m AUAU gold alloy neutrik interconnects for my system. I put them between the dac and and the pre amplifier. I used to have a regular diamond back audioquest IC there. I put the z squared cable and the image lost a lot of focus. The voice was left to the center and the soundstage wasnt as clear as with the AQ. The sound lost the magic.
I would like to know if somebody has experienced the same with this ICs or maybe the cables need a break in. Or maybe Im doin something wrong.
Thanks
Alan Brain