Are Cardas Parsec cables Overkill for Zen Stream?

There is no such thing as overkill. I have a Cardas clear beyond XL on my zen stream lol. Using the ipower elite. 

imo, Parsec Digital SPDIF in half meter is not overkill for your system.  

Under a microscope etched OFC, OCC, and drawn high purity Cardas Grade 1 Copper. 

https://www.cardas.com/cardas-copper

No such thing as an overkill on quality....now price, that may be a different matter.

@lg1 - Audio Envy cables should outperform the Cardas because...

1. they use OCC copper - for crisper dynamics
   • Cardas use OFC
2. they use a better dielectric insulation - for improved clarity

I’ve had lots of experience using high perofrmance cables on more budget oriented components and it has paid premiums every time.

Is it worth it - YES - You also end up owning great cables that will perform even better if and when you purchase components that provide finer resolution capabilities.

Audio envy make some very good cables for a very reasonable price

Regards - Steve

I had the Parsec SPDIF and currently have the RCAs. Agree with the majority that's been said on this thread. I can't remember which thread or website that the following was posted, but more or less, the founder (George Cardas) had communicated to a prospective customer by phone stating that Iridium was the "best buy" in terms of performance to value. No way to confirm of course, but found it interesting. I'll add the link if I find. 

Probably would not help the sound quality. But, you can try. I would recommend Cardas if you try any. They have different tonal balance depending on the level you purchase. So, purchasing a inexpensive Cardas are going to be designed for your components.

Early on in my pursuit of the high end I purchased very high end cables for my speakers and they sounded bad… interconnects also. My gear was noisy (not the kind of noise you hear directly… but it produces fatigue). So they sounded terrible. Years later with a much better system I tried them again, they sounded great! Really enhanced the sound quality.

Typically you must have a certain level of components with their higher level of associated resolution and lower noise before interconnects cables start having a notable effect. Then as quality of components increase the effects become more pronounced. Typically I consider a $200 interconnects to be budget interconnects and those would be appropriate to try with a $2,000 component.

But as I say Cardas is made at different levels. If you go ahead and try them, I would really enjoy hearing your impressions.

A note, wires typically take about 100 - 200 hours of use to break in. They tend to sound a bit trebly and harsh at first. So, try not to judge immediately.

many love Cardas,  and many quite dislike...gotta listen first...and clearly some believe cables irrelevant...but even cable believers are quite divided on Cardas...

A $10 Monoprice cable will do just as well as an expensive boutique cable. Honestly! Wire is the last thing you need to worry about!