Cardas Neutral Ref vs Harmonic Tech Pro 9 Plus

Mattkimb96, I can't speak for the Cardas, but I've experienced a number of cables before my present ones.

I've owned my Aerial 10T's for over 3 years now. My last two speaker cables were the Harmonic Tech Pro 9 Plus and prior to that were the Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun dual runs. Both were designed by the same engineer who now owns Acoustic Zen.

At that time I found both of those cables to be near identical in character and both could be considered a good buy overall.

However, about 18 months ago, I purchased Audience Au24 cables and it was easily the most significant cable upgrade I've ever experienced.

I also went from the Harmonic Tech Pro Silway IIs and Magic Link Ones to the Pure Note epsilon reference XLR ics. This was a step up from the HT's. Not long ago, I auditioned some Au24 XLR ics and the difference was very significant.

Overall, it's pretty amazing what the Au24s do for the bass as well as eliminate or minimize glare and hash at the high frequencies. A very quiet, yet dynamic and pristine cable.

I can compare the Au24 speaker cables to the Audio Tekne speaker cables which I also owned. The AT's are certainly more expensive, yet the Au24 is near identical in sonic characteristics. And several have rated the AT's among the 4 best cables made.

Also easily within the budget you've alotted. Especially used.

-IMO

tried both and went the cardas netural speaker cables..they are by far one of the best products i have ever had "in my system".(btw, the az satori was too rolled off at the extremes for my taste)

havent had much luck with the cardas ic's ( went with the straightwire crescendo ic's)but the neutral reference is the most best speaker cable i have ever had on my alon ii's which are very,very picky.( pse hl-1 pre, pse studio v mono amps, marantz sa-8260)

if you are looking for a speaker cable that doesnt add or subtract, all it does is just present what is there,...very true to the original signal.then you might want to audtion them.

i would consider them to be "THE" starting point of any one looking for a truly neutral "speaker cable". from there you can deceide if you want to go warmer or brighter.

hope that helps,

mike

Hi

Was considering the Golden Cross - why are you switching to the Neutral Ref? Just curious.