Modern equivalent of Cardas Golden Cross


I remember, some 20 years ago, auditioning ICs from the Cable Company and settling on the Golden Cross.  Back then I could hook up everything with .5 meter cables.

My configuration for the last dozen years requires a mix of 1 and 2 meter parts  Now I have a mix of stuff and am wondering if there is something equivalent to the Golden Cross.

 

   

 

retiredaudioguy

I have heard Clear Reflection... I agree with it have a similar sound to the old Golden Cross. I used to have an out of control trebly / solid state system that required the even warmer Golden Reference... wow speaking of warm. It controlled my trebly system. However, as soon as I got better components with a neutral / natural sound... off they came as all the detail disappeared. Great cables for a common problem back in the 80's and 90's.

I owned three pairs of Golden Cross interconnects, and sold all three pairs to Pass Labs .5 and .8 amplifier owners.  Had them for about 15 years. A complex design too, and part of the reason some people still keep an eye out for them to this day.  

Tried Golden Reference in between for a year or so. Sold those. Tried others from other brands - eventually went back to Cardas again, newer designs though.   

Currently own three pairs of Clear Reflection Interconnects.  They do not sound the same as my Golden Cross. Different from standard Clear too.  They are a hybrid mix sound of Clear and older Golden Cross,, 50/50 right  between the two which I actually prefer to all others I’ve owned up and down the Cardas line.  Clear Reflection does have its own sound and the result has been great for me, fwiw.  

I recently replaced my Golden Cross speaker cables with Clear Reflection. Although vastly improved, I would not characterize them as a Golden Cross comparative. I have replaced a number of Golden Reference with Clear Reflection and find them to similar but much more controlled especially in the highs not as muted and more controlled bass. 
The Cable Co will send you a pair to try from their lending library, if you talk with John he might offer other suggestions. He’s been there for quite a while to offer seasoned advice.

I used Cardas Golden Cross interconnect a few years ago, but sold them for a pair of Audioquest Thunderbird XLRs, which have become my end-game interconnects.  Happy listening.