Perhaps I should have said IME instead of IMO. I've compared all the levels of Mapleshade passive models with Acoustic Zen, Harmonic Tech, Nordost, Kimber, Audioquest, Cardas, Straightwire, Siltech, Aperture, Synergistic Research, Tara Labs and others and the difference is often not particularly funny. Without getting exhaustive, my experience is that Mapleshade is onto something with their prioritizing minimal dieltric and conductor thickness as well as maximizing dielectric and conductor quality. Most other cables are designed for, among other things, bulletproofness despite the effect on the sonics. This leaves the Mapleshade wire sounding remarkably open and refined by comparison to the opaque, muddy, edgey or simply not quite as open or refined results of the others IME. Obviously I have not scrutinized all the cables out there. I am simply offering what experiences I have had, such as it is. I welcome all well intentioned input. I have no interest in defending undue loyalty issues.
dealer disclosure.