Epilogue #1: Thanks to contributions on this forum, I am already auditioning Zavfino 10awg on my power amp and Ice Age 10awg on subwoofer in a temporary placemement. Zavfino was instantly brighter than the 7awg Pangea I had been using, and more open (not more detailed) in the frequency range above female vocals. But with notably less bass control, and even some bloat around 80Hz. (Worse, all my favored tracks, pulled from various albums by Kathleen Edwards, began sounding dull, and remained so until I brought a subwoofer online).
Love the Zavfino build quality, but this will soon be replaced by the "new" (to me) Pangea 9SE MkII Signature, and saved for future uses. (And if the updated Pangea doesn't outperform the old standard issue on the amp, will try Zavfino on the conditioner).
A 10' run of Ice Age on the subwoofer for only $159, a standard size for them, with no tax and free shipping, is a remarkable bargain. Though once the sub reaches its permanent placement (unavailable until backordered power conditioner arrives), I will switch this for a 7' Cullen Crossover Series in 10awg.
So right there are three mfrs I had never heard of before posting this inquiry. In addition, I received an offer to audition spare Puritan and even higher-end PCs once the system has been stabilized. So count me thankful for this forum and gratified by the many generous and helpful suggestions. (Those ritually denying the benefit of quality PCs are neither helpful nor generous, but then we knew that already).
