I've been reading through this and other threads that have discussed the virtues of mainly the more popular gold based cables. Even among these, there are significant price differences. And it would seem, as some others have previously pointed out that quite often prices have little to do with the kinds of performance attributes that listeners find the most desirable or appealing. I've keenly realized this myself in the past several months by auditioning a number of cables. For example, I'll say only that I had a very pleasant experience with Audio Metallurgy's relatively inexpensive GA-0 interconnect, fitted with Nextgen Midline connectors. I'm waiting to receive a pair with the Topline connectors. I also listened to the Jade Hybrid ic, which cost nearly ten times the amount of the GA-0. IMHO the Jade had a number of extremely fine qualities. However, I did not find it anywhere near ten times better than the GA-0. In fact, I'll just say that by comparison, the GA-0 acquitted itself most commendably. I've also been hearing John Prator's Silkworm+, which I had fitted with Eichmann copper bullet plugs. Pricewise, it falls in between the GA-0 and the Jade Hybrid, but is closer to the former. I would like to take the opportunity here, as some others have, to add my two cents about this product. First, I will say that so far I have had it run in for about 350 hours. What makes it stand out for me is its ability to render various tonal shades, shifts in timing and manner of expressiveness of instruments and instrumentalists with the sort of beauty and musicality that causes me smile and shake my head. I also find its presentation avoids a tendency toward the analytical, and simply allows the music to flow with ease, openness and even elegance if it's in the mix. Especially noteworthy is the very significant minimization of unpleasant artifacts(mainly brightness)at macrodynamic levels, so that what I hear is reminiscent of being at a live orchestral concert. Throughout the entire sound spectrum hi fi-ishness or atificiality is foreign to the Silkworm+. The degree of naturalness is ear opening. I detected nothing untoward as well with separation and location of instruments, stage width, depth or height, which are all quite important to me as a listener of orchestral music. Further, I consider top and bottom end performance to be quite exemplary. I feel delighted too with the rendering of realistic warmth in the lower strings, and the reproduction of the orchestra's power instruments....All in all, I have every reason to feel the charms of the Silkworm+ will continue to unfold as things move on. If you haven't done so already, I recommend you invite this marvelous cable into your home. Not only do I consider it a superb instrument, but also feel its creator, John Prator, is an absolute pleasure to deal with. He impresses as a very likeable fellow, with a most engaging sense of humor. I'm confident he'll be very pleased to communicate with you, and I daresay there's a very good chance you'll be quite pleased with what he will offer you for your musical enjoyment.
