What are the alternatives for Kimber and Cardas?


My first choice interconnects for my gear is Kimber Kable Select 1021 rca, then the second is Cardas Gold Reference rca. What would be a third comparable rca interconnect that I should look for if my budget is strained? Gear: Plinius M8 Pre amp, Plinius SA 102 amp, Oppo 83 SE Nu Force edition.
deepbassblue
If you find another cable for cheap that sounds like a Cardas Gold Reference please let me know. I really like what they did for my system between my pre and power amps. That said I didn't want to use Cardas Gold Refs in all positions. For instance my TT box to SS Phono stage is pure silver, "Homegrown Silver Lace." I have very detailed speakers. To sum it up it is a function of how well the IC accomplishes your objective between the two elements it connects.
I use Van den Hul The First Ultimate; I am also a dealer for them. They are very highly regarded over seas as an alternative to Cardas, but at a considerably lower price. They often come up here for under $250 a meter pair, the retail is about $400. I am familiar with Cardas and use Golden Reference as speaker cables. I also use silver for one TT, VDH for the other. Transparent makes even better cables than Cardas but makes them look cheap by comparison. You can't go wrong with Cardas but the VDH is close in my opinion. I don't sell on the internet so not trolling for sales, just giving my opinion. Whatever you buy I would go used.
Just my 2 cents, as I have used both Cardas Golden Cross and Cardas Golden Reference, I'd have to say the Golden Cross work better for me. The Reference is a bit stale and very neutral, where the Golden Cross has more dimentional and fuller richer lushness... this works for me in certain set ups better than the Reference. I also like the Ensemble cables, especially their interconnect, at least as much as the Golden Cross, but it is not as dark and heavy as the Golden Cross.
While you are looking at the cable co. consider the offerings from Synergistic Research. I have been using them with great results.
You are absolutely right, Ballan, prices don't always go with performance.
Hello Kenscollick, which Synergistic Research series were you using, and in what kinda gear?