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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. 
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jl1ny's avatar
jl1ny OP
402 posts
 
@ghosthouse 

Correct, my friend came over Sat & Sun. Prior upgrades have been clear noticeable improvements. when I upped my amp game from a Meridian 556 to the ARC D400 Mk2 I was jaw dropped. Same for when I upgraded my DAC..It was when I started tweaking preamp tubes, speaker cables, IC’s that the changes were less obvious.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,296 posts
 
@jl1ny 

Trust your ears!  I'll be interested in what you hear (or don't hear) a month from now if you pull the Clear Light IC and go back the Belden wire.  Speaking of which, you've got me curious now.  I can search the net, of course; wondering who/what this Shirokazu Yazaki is.
jl1ny's avatar
jl1ny OP
402 posts
 
@ghosthouse 

Fantastic reviews, if smooth, natural and realistic  (as they are described) is appealing to you then be prepared to buy a set after your done reading up, for the money I could not pass on trying them.
Start here:

https://jeffsplace.positive-feedback.com/adventures-in-real-sound-with-mr-shirokazu-yazaki-sneak-pee...


ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,296 posts
 
Thanks for the info, @jl1ny

I'd come across that Jeff's Place article before but at the time was focused on the Dueland wire.  Completely forgot about Belden and Mr. Yazaki. You might find the link here of interest.  Given ground connection at both ends, looks to be similar to the Yazaki Belden IC.  Price not quite as good as from Best-Tronics (but still very affordable).  

https://www.amazon.com/Tuneful-Cables-Belden-Audiophile-Interconnects/dp/B06VVBRNWX/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_...
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,940 posts
 
It’s much better to buy cheap wires and have them over perform than Uber expensive ones that disappoint. 
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