As mentioned above, rightly so, system mating is paramount in cable selection. I recently lived with the Valhalla for about 6 weeks (TG, FIM Gold, XLO Lmtd Ed and others before that) and the Valhalla was phenomenal to say the least, the best I'd heard in my system up to that point. But my experience is similar to dpayes, albeit with a different cable: I recently had the oppoutunity to listen to the Pathfinder cables from Jena labs, and I find they do everything I like about the Vahalla's with the addition of having more mid-upper body and even more air. I wouldn't necessarily describe the Valhalla's as thin per se, but that last measure of naturalness and body in the mids and uppers was missing,and they seemed just a tad forward. The Pathfinder is so much more relaxed and palpable in it's presentation, with at least as much detail and clarity. Again, in my particular setup. At this level, I don't know if any given cable is necessarily better, but may mate better in ones particular configuration. The Valhalla are top shelf, but at this price point I think you're going about the right way in demoing other cables to see what sounds best in your given setup. And if you happen on the opportunity to audition the Pathfinder, take it. Wicked expensive, but worth every penny to my ear.