Pdreher, I am using a ARC Ref 3 and a BAT VK-75SE modified by Bob Backert of RHB Sound Dezign running fully balanced with my Verity PE's, not PO's.
As for my opinion, both cables are terrific, and bargains at their price point. The Rapture had better attack of the note, which gave it a stunning clarity quality, especially noticeable on percussion. The Hybrid had a more natural decay of the note, which created a deeper, more 3-D stage, which better allowed me to hear the size of the recording venue.
Tonally, they were both on the slightly warm side of neutral, with the Hybrid being a bit warmer, and the Rapture a bit closer to neutral. The slightly warmer Hybrid gave brass a wonderful burnish hue sound which sounded more accurate to me, but again, the clarity/speed of the Rapture made percussion sound more real.
Just for comparisons sake, I would say the Hybrid sounded closer to the PAD Dominus camp, while the Rapture sounded closer to a Stealth Indra. Two very different sounding cables that will both sound great with the right gear, and may even sound best when combined together someway.
As a note: I never listened to the Rapture throughout, since I run fully balanced and Gary (Glory) does not. I compared these two cables between my Walker Signature phono stage and my ARC Ref 3 preamp. I was still running through a 2 meter balanced Hybrid from preamp to amp with both cables.
Bottom line, both cables had stunning qualities. The Rapture is certainly much better than the previous GG cables I have heard (Extreme and Revelation). I could live happily with either cable, and not look back. I found myself amazed at how two cables could sound so different and yet sound so damn good. It left me scrathing my head I must admit. That's my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.
Cheers,
John
