2. cables
  3. 1395619717

Speaker cables

I have seen on an internet used cable mart a pair of Harmonic Technology Pro 11 Reference speaker cable and a pair of Cardas "Cross" (NOT GOLDEN CROSS) speaker cable

I was able to listen to the HT Pro 11 Reference with a pair of Martin Logan ESL, and later with a pair of Monitor Audio RX-8.at a dealer in Los Angeles The cable sounded very good with both speakers, especially its ease of sound and transparency

However, a few days later,I listened to the Cardas Cross speaker cable on the same Martin Logan's. They were impressive with a great sense of musical rightness and solid imaging

I learned later that both these cables are, or will be discontinued. The dealer suggested I listen to the new Nordost Red Dawn LS series with both the above speakers; I did and was somewhat blown away, but not enough to cutting a check on the spot for close $1100 for a 10-11 ft pair

However, I can buy either the Harmonic Technology or Cardas speaker cable online for almost half their original price, and much less than the Nordost RED DAWN LS. My pocket book tells me to buy one of the first two brands, but my intuition tells me that overall, and despite a bit of some of brightness, to bite the bullet and buy the RD's.

I realize each product has particular strengths but this one might be too close to call, especially when there is some money to be saved.

Will appreciate any and all advice. Thanks

sunnyjim
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Harmonic Tech, Cardas or even Nordost are all manufactured in asian countries. Those who sell at a fraction of price claim to be a manufacturers for them(or at least insiders). You can bargain with them and get them even lower.
The real fact is that neither US or Asian product should be worth that much and makes me confused and thinking what is really fake or joke? Logically and straight-forward US hi-fi home AV wire prices are definitely joke and probably fake.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I agree with the above posters, make sure that you are buying authentic cables, lots of fakes out there.

That being said, I'd also send another warning, this one about the Nordost brightness that you noted. This does not seem to be something that one gets used to, at least not in my case. I have found the Nordost sound to be alluring, all of that speed and resolution can be quite enticing. However, twice I have gone down that path, and in both cases I eventually found myself listening less and less often, for shorter and shorter periods of time, as listening fatigue would set in earlier and earlier. Too much information is not always a good thing.

So while I still enjoy Nordost cables in demo situations, I do avoid buying them now. I want my home system to be a bit more relaxing, and easy to listen to.

Of your choices, the Harmonic Technology would probably be my choice, as the Cardas tends to go too far in the opposite direction of the Nordost, and is too warm and slow for my tastes. Of course you pays your money, you makes your choices.
arnettpartners
312 posts
 
Agree totally with Jmcgrogan2 on the Nordost. I will never buy Nordost Red Dawn again, or any other Nordost.
jl35
4,038 posts
 
Three very different sounds. I couldn't live with Cardas Cables (I tried once) at any price. I like the Harmonic but they're not for me. Not familiar enough with Nordost. These cables in my opinion all sound so different from each other, may be a big mistake to base decision on price, especially if you will keep them for a while.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Thanks to all for their comments. The information is very helpful. No big surprise, my source for the used Harmonic Tech and the used Cardas is the Used Cable Company inventory.

Of course, despite their reputation who knows whether they did not take in a few fakes cables over the years by accident or oversight.

I am trading all my ICs collected over 20 years. but am not convinced I am getting a good deal.

To Mr. Grogan, I heard that complaint many times before about brightness of Nordost cables. They claim they have toned it down (bad pun) in the LS series; and, I can't say it was searing or fatiguing to listen, at least for the hour.

I think part of Nordost's appeal is those cool, bright skin colors they use to often identify the cable, especially the "Purple Flare" and "Blue Heaven"

More to discover