Cardas Golden VS AQ Diamondx3. anybody?

I compared the Cardas GR to Diamond Extreme and the Cardas was a bit nicer (smoother, warmer, as much detail). But the used diamond extreme won for the cost factor. Apples to apples, compare Cardas GR with the AQ Anaconda -- I prefer the Anaconda.

Had Diamond X3 and Golden Reference at one point, could not figure out why GR sounds so muddy and constraint. Diamond seems to open up the sound and details quite a bit in my system, overall more musical. I also hear more depth and dimension. I have heard rumor Golden Cross is actually better than Golden Reference.

Please excuse me for introducing another cable to this discussion: Goertz Sapphire (flat & silver).
My system is presently wired all Cardas; it's also tube and CD based.
However, auditioning a Sapphire in place of my Golden Ref between CD and preamp yielded a wider soundstage, more detail and fullness of sound.--Marc

Don't remember which Diamond it is, and I'd have to pull out at least one component to get at it, if it even says on the cable. Box is also inaccessible. I've been happier with the Cardas Golden Reference, Neutral Reference, Straightwire Crescendo and NBS Monitor 0 I've used at one time or other since. I thought the Diamond sounded something like the Monster Sigma Retro I tried about the same period--clear, not offensive in any way, but lacking in any special strengths, and kind of recessed in the midrange. There are huge differences between Golden Reference and Crescendo, for example, but I liked them both, so it's not just a question of tonal preference. Diamond just did nothing much for my system, and I thought it was way overpriced.

Oh, yeah, what did I like about the GR? Sorry, that is what you wanted to know, after all. Yes, GR is a somewhat warm cable, and yes, my system is all solid state--Pass X-ONO and X-1, Classe CAM-350's, dCS/Levinson digital. But the warmth is not at the expense of the highs, which are clear and extended, although not emphasized. The GR and Monitor 0 seem to flesh out the lower midrange so cellos sound the way they do in a concert hall, something lacking in a lot of cables, at least in my system. And that included the Diamond.