Upgrade from Cardas Neutral Reference speaker cables

"Neutral Reference" is the only set in the lineup I had not tried from Cardas before I moved on to other brand OCC cables. @rlb61 your comment about it sounding "thin" is what I learned from a few friends, so I skipped them. Owned many others prior, and did some early demo evaluation with the latest clear line past 2-3 years. Never quite found what I wanted. Was hoping Clear Reflections would be a good mix, and for some reason just could not get there with them either. Maybe my system, almost gave up.

CGR:
While I’ve been experimenting with Analysis Plus Crystal OCC cables the past few years with my tube amps, and loving the amazing sound stage and depth...recently had a hankering to go back and re-try the Golden Reference (CGR) once again. Bought 3 pairs a few months ago. Two pairs for the sources and a 1.5M pair between my tube preamp and tube amps. Very nice, I had forgotten what these sounded like. I received the newer design/version with the updated connectors on the GCRs for my interconnects. I’m going to experiment with re-mixing the CGRs with the AP OCC crystals. So far its another interesting combo, a bit of the best from both worlds meshed together. Definitely hearing some of that memorable tone, texture, and musicality I recalled long ago from some of the earlier Cardas. Guitars, strings, and piano keys sound glorious once again. A fun throwback for sure, keepers this time around. Fun to rotate them in now every once in a while.

The original Cardas golden cross are the best I have used.

No longer made but can be found used.

I have been using Golden Cross now for about 7-8 years and have actually been looking at switching to Golden Reference. I am holding off on buying as I am looking at the possibility of mono blocks and that would allow me to buy shorter cables. I see NR a lot on Cable Co. and have wondered why they are getting traded in and what they are being replaced with. Seems like the few responses here seem positive, so I ask the OP why are you wanting to move on?

One thing about Golden Reference ... it can be too much of a good thing when using an entire loom (i.e., ICs and Speaker). When I did, I heard a distinct bloat in the mid-bass. So, I removed the ICs and kept the GR speaker cable in the system. The GR ICs are now collecting dust in my closet, and I have replaced them with Audio Envy.  

i am sure cardas makes even more expensive cables than the neu-ref!

surely a major sonic upgrade, for sure!  neutrality can be sooo overrated... :)

happy hunting...