Im going to regret my cable question

It’s more than likely going to be between the Cardas and AQ. If AQ, it will be the Rocket 44. I think the one brand which came up the most was Cardas so that deserves a listen. In the end I still think they will all pretty much be the same. I don’t really cater to the whole “wow, that totally changed my system” theory. I still think a lot of what we hear is based on the dollar sign.

Having said that I do think that once one makes the step from box store RCA’s to pretty much any quality built cable that there is a gain to be had. My idea to upgrade is mostly based on gauge of the wire, Rocket 44 being heavier than my 20 year old Type 4. The fact that Cardas was a name which keeps coming up suggests that I at least have to have a listen to them if I can.

This is where I stand for now, at least until I get into the shop to a/b some stuff. Who knows, perhaps I will be surprised.

Cheers to all for the much appreciated suggestions.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#differences

Cardas, more than most brands, has people who love them and those who do not like them at all...

@neversatisfied "I don't really cater to the wow, that totally changed  my system theory". You just exactly stated my perspective on Cardas. Over the years with all the auditioning of cables via lending library from CableCompany any number of times I heard cables that gave me that short term wow factor, this to the degree I ended up purchasing a few of these 'wow' cables. Problem with these over the long term some kind of unnatural coloration/presentation. So back in goes the Cardas, return to relaxed, natural, balanced presentation, Particular model Cardas I'm speaking of is Golden Reference, these purchased in 1990's, I call them my old 'workhorse' cables. These simply chameleon cable for me, these cables have been through many systems I've built over the years, and they could be perceived as warm/bloomy, analytical, or anywhere in between. In reality the entire system creates the presentation, the cable simply reflects that. In the end. This  how I now perceive cabling in general, mostly they simply reflect the system they're installed in. I no longer expect or want cables to 'color' my system. I can color/voice my system far easier with myriad other things. Now, you want to talk about power cables, much greater variables here!

I have always believed that when it comes to speaker cables, the biggest decision is Copper vs Silver.   Silver delivering brighter sound, while copper favoring bass.  I would make the decision on this first - based on which direction you want to nudge the sound of your overall system -- then, get cables with that material that are in your price range and additionally received great reviews.  In my case, I have Wilson W/P 8 speakers which are plenty bright, so, I use copper speaker cables to not emphasize the highs even more.  

Having regrets is a part of life.