2. cables
  3. 141155-1301

Too much of a good thing...

I've always been a "Cardas guy" and they're always worked great in all my setup. I recently replaced my Thiel CS2.4's with Audio Physic Avanti III, which are stunning speakers. When an opportunity to get a Pass Labs XA60.5 at a very reasonable price came up, I couldn't pass it up. The combination of the AP and the PL is just plain amazing. Now to the challenge, I'm starting to think that the speaker/amp combination which are both on the warmer side and the warmth of the Cardas Cross (and Golden Cross interconnects) might be too much of a good thing.

What other speaker cables should I be looking at?

Rest of the system consists of a PS Audio DirectStream DAC (connected via XLR directly to Pass amps) with Auralic Aries streaming (connected via AQ Carbon USB).
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audiojan OP
390 posts
 
Another option would be to start with the balanced cable and replace that. The Cross speaker cable is probably less warm then the Golden Cross XLR...
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audiojan OP
390 posts
 
So I'm going to give Cardas Clear a try. The speaker cable will have to stay Cardas Cross for the time being, but I'm replacing the Cardas Golden Cross XLR with a Clear XLR. If that gets me closer to where I want to be, then I'll start the process of getting a Clear speaker cable as well.
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audiojan OP
390 posts
 
Testing the Cardas Clear XLR right now and its spectacular. Everything that I always loved about Cardas but without any of the drawbacks.

Next up is a Cardas Clear Beyond speaker cable
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jea48
4,318 posts
 
audiojan OP216 posts12-17-2018 9:01am


@elizabeth Forgot to add that to my notes, already have good power cords all the way around (Shunyata) all connected to a PS Audio Power Plant.
@ audiojan


I assume all the above power cables and PS audio Power Plant was used with the previous speakers and amp. Before you go out and buy new speaker cables and or ICs cables I would first try connecting the Pass amp directly to the AC wall outlet using the OEM power cord that came with the amp.
I believe Nelson Pass recommends his amps be connected directly to the wall outlet.

As for the Shunyata power cord you are using on the Pass amp, if it is shielded that could very well be causing what you are hearing.

A good non shielded power cord that mates well with Pass amps is the 6’ Kimber Kable PK10.
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