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Initial disappointment with 1st set of “expensive’ IC’s...

I’ve been slow working my way to equipping my rig with all Cardas as I’ve been fan of their quality/sound signature an for a long time. I just received 2 sets of Clear Light IC’s which I’m using DAC to Pre and Pre to Amp. up until now all other Cardas cables that I have were obtained used and sounded great from day 1. The Clear Light however are brand new..when I sat down to give them a listen I was surprised not to hear any improvement...I was actually disappointed to hear what I can describe as a fatter bass and subdued upper end. My prior IC’s were Shirokazu Yazaki Belden 8402. I admittedly do not have golden ears but the difference was obvious. I’m interested to hear what other Cardas owners have to say about how their cables sounded when 1st installed. 
128x128jl1ny
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ghosthouse
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@jl1ny

I agree with @ghdprentice 
Be patient.  I run Cardas myself.  Used, it seems to take a few days undisturbed and a good (20-50 hours?) of playing time before they settle in.  New, more like 100-200 hours of playing.  Even when moving wire already in the system, it seems like a day or two before things "settle in". To my ears/with my equipment, and with new wire in particular, break in always seems to involve the sound opening up (more air, space, depth) which I suppose could well be due to a little more high end extension developing.  

Having said that, once sufficient time has passed, I (obviously) can't guarantee you'll like sound with the Clear Lights.  Regarding the bass, however, if it persists in being "fat", consider moving your speakers a bit if you  are able.  In addition, if you are single-wiring to bi-wireable speakers and use jumpers, try Nordost's method of diagonal connection (i.e., Black (-) to the upper post, Red (+) to lower with jumpers connected as you normally would).  To me this method of connection (vs Audioquest diagonal which is the opposite...Red up/Black down) provides a little more high frequency energy.  

Good luck.
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raysmtb1's avatar
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raysmtb1
793 posts
 
It’s a lot easier if you buy a pre-amp with tone controls. Then you don’t have this fishing expedition of which cable is going to change the sound of my system. Something that they were never meant to do .
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raysmtb1
793 posts
 
It’s a lot easier if you buy a pre-amp with tone controls. Then you don’t have this fishing expedition of which cable is going to change the sound of my system. Something that they were never meant to do .
williewonka
3,072 posts
 
I've had cables that continue to improve up to 400 hours of playing

Typically I put them on my streamer 24/7 for at least 150 hours before any serious assessment.

The burn-in process is different from cable to cable
- some save their best performance until the end
- other will give you an initial taste, only to degrade and then get much better

I've never tried Cardas, so I do not know how they will progress.

Just be patient and give them ample time

Regards - steve
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