cardas golden cros vs golden reference

Cross line is warmer and more forgiving than the Reference line. However the Reference line is warm and forgiving compared to a lot of other cables, so it is hard to make an absolute recommendation.

If you can afford the Golden Reference, that is the one I would recommend. It is somewhat warm, without being too warm, (like the Golden Cross can be in some systems). The GR is a very good cable, with pretty good resolution.

My two cents worth.

Golden Cross sounded way too warm and coloured for my wadia 861 cd player jeff rowland 201 amps and B&W804 speakers that i use to own. Haven't heard GR.

For speaker cable ONLY !
I agree with all of them.
I used to have Hexlink Golden 5C, Golden Cross, SE 9 & on loan for 3 weeks the Golden Ref.
The later is the best but very expensive.
The Hexlink Golden 5C is the real treasure. The perfect medicine for agressive or thin sound. An absolute calming delight.
You may give a chance to SE 9 as is the more energetic with more dynamic projection of the rest, but is expensive also & somewhat restricted in bass.
I would not advice for the Golden Cross. It has limited focus & bass & is a little laidback.
All of them has very wide soundstage, silky detail upon a full but not speedy foundation.
I find out a fine synergy with Van Den Hul The Second but I would suggest a try with the new The Orchid as it is way better in everything while is keeping the carbon character.

geoch

your comment on the cardas hexlink golden 5c is relevant to my topic
on this cable