Hello,
I have carried out interesting test:
I have connected with Cardas Golden reference XLR cable my Clayton M100 monoblocks and AudioAreo Capitole MKII CD and listen for a while. Pretty lifeless no glitter at all.
Less audio gear in the chain should be better is it not!
Later I have connected Clayton and AA Cap with Silversmith Silver and Audiomagic Excalibur II RCA cables to Supratek Chenin.
What a difference better dynamic better harmonics, music was back.
I did such test 2 years ago with stock tubes and outcome was not that clear.
But know with NOS tubes there is huge difference even in my very bad room.
regards
Slawomir