Cable upgrades

@pennfootball71 @paulcreed Thanks for the recommends. There certainly are a huge number of manufacturers out there, and they each have many lines to choose from. Seems like, at a certain point, one has to just commit to a solution and enjoy the music.

@audphile1 My limited experience with the 20% silver coated Neotech MkIIIs was exactly as you suggest with my Benchmark rig. It’s amazing how a little emphasis can be too much in the long-term. I found those cables to be interesting at first blush, but ultimately preferred the all copper. Of course, another manufacturer’s silver cables (AZ, for example) might be the perfect fit. Only one way to find out, unfortunately!

Best, JAMES

James…I would stay away from AZ Silver Ref II in that system unless you want to thin it all out.

I’ve gone through the entire AZ cable line with different configurations of Silver and Copper.
 

In my experience the Silver Ref II work best between source and preamp, with Matrix Ref II or Absolute Copper between preamp and amp. That allows for some of the not so great attributes of silver ref to be balanced out by the copper downstream. The most recent use case in my system was the Silver Ref II between the Sutherland 20/20 phono amp and my preamp, with Absolute Copper between preamp and amp. Great combo.
I’ve also used Silver Ref II / Matrix II and Silver / Silver. 
I’m pretty certain with benchmark DAC driving the amp(s) the Silver Ref II is not the right cable. 

Just caught this thread, interesting! 

Just heard back from the seller.  He does not want to offer a refund.  He figures I just don't like the cable, so I can simply resell it.  I told him that the problem is the cable doesn't work as it should.  And therefore, I can't resell it, in good faith.

I also suggested that if I send it to Cardas and they determine it's faulty or fake, then I'd have to pursue a fraud claim.  Although, that's probably not gonna bear much fruit.  So I asked him again for a refund, and offered to cover the cost of return shipping.  We'll see what he comes back with.  My guess is he won't comply.

I'd send it to Cardas, as many have suggested, but my gut is that it's not counterfeit, but rather, old, and perhaps damaged in some way.  And by the time I pay for shipping, validation, re-termination (assuming it's okay...which doesn't make sense, given its sonic signature), shipping back, duty/taxes/brokerage fees etc -- just so I can resell it -- it's doubtful if it would be worth my time.

It's tough for us being across the border- I bought a cable and recently returned it direct from a manufacturer with a 30 day return policy, and it still cost me over $100 in shipping/duties/taxes, and that is with them substantially de-valuing the product for customs purposes! There must be a way to claim the taxes back if it is returned, but is it worth my hassle? There wasn't even an option in the customs docs for "returned product" so I checked off the "warranty/repair" option when sending it back, so hopefully there isn't another broker charge on their end I will have to pay for as well. 

I am curious as heck to investigate who this might have been you purchased this from- shows pretty bad if you are confronted as possibly selling a counterfeit product, and not giving someone their money back. Myself, I would absolutely refund the money and take the product back as opposed to having that bad feedback and not being able to sleep knowing you ripped someone off, whether it was known or not- but from your response above when the person was confronted it almost seems like they knew. If they said "just resell it", essentially pass the problem onto someone else, that shows alot about their integrity, or lack of it. For sure I would follow up with this person if it turns out to be a fake, and provide the necessary feedback so the next purchaser is made aware of that possibility from this seller. 

Update us when you hear- I am dying to find out! 

@audphile1

In my experience the Silver Ref II work best between source and preamp, with Matrix Ref II or Absolute Copper between preamp and amp. That allows for some of the not so great attributes of silver ref to be balanced out by the copper downstream

That is so weird- good timing with that post as I just did this last night!

I have Silver Ref.II from my DAC to my Marchand, and Absolute between the Marchand and the high channel Apollon amp (no pre)

I just flipped them yesterday for the first time, and yeah, it was not as good. I am still trying to put my finger on why; the detail was still there, but it was not as open- like more detail in the body, but not as much extension. I wish I had another absolute I could plug in place of the Silver Ref to see if that is better or worse?

Have you tried absolute/absolute source/pre/amp- ? 

@mclinnguy Got the cables back from Cardas yesterday. They are now certified and have been re-terminated with updated sleeves. They look brand new!  I’ve got them in my system and will give them a month before deciding whether they stay or get resold.

As you pointed out, the whole exercise cost about $150Cdn. But if I do decide to sell, I can assure the potential purchaser that the cables are ready for prime time.

Best, JAMES