Cable comparison charts?

You might miss out on a good cable looking at specs alone.

Noting your question about Cardas and specs. They release some specs on a few cables, not all. They will tell you not to listen to their cables based on specs, and to work with a dealer on it if you can. Tested many Cardas!

Some of the better local dealers and better retailers still around may let you demo them, on a charge/refund basis. And, with the anticipation you’ll follow through and buy something from them. With cables, many of us like to say to support your local dealer if you can, those who remain. Or, try TheCableCo loaner program for a fee. 

i have to say the idea of using printed specs to select a cable seems silly to me

to each their own...

...but cables' sound is probably the hardest to quantify or characterize using ’specs’

really must audition at home in the system in question, otherwise it is really a crap shoot

you may think you know... but you really don’t -- nothing replaces listening

Oh I totally agree you must listen.  I just want to see how the cable's construction changes as price sky rockets.  I also wanted to compare construction between manufactures.  Sorry, it's the engineer in me.

The current Absolute Sound should prove helpful.

other thing i would add is that while very expensive cables may well provide some benefit, in general, i would say the degree/extent of benefit usually makes it the least cost effective upgrade (relative to a change in an actual component - source, amp, speaker)

obviously, if you have the money to burn, want that last .01% of improvement given that you have absolutely maxed out the SQ produced by your rig, then, by all means, go for it

after all we can't take the money with us when we kick the bucket

but from a value for money perspective, i am most leery of claims of super expensive super exotic cables ... the bs meter in me toggles 'on'