AUDIENCE AU24e vs CARDAS CLEAR for HEGEL/JA PULSAR


Hi All,
We're going to install a system for a client comprising the Hegel P20 preamp, H20 amp, HD25 DAC, and Joseph Audio Pulsars. The dilemma is that we're either going to use Audience AU24e speaker cable and balanced interconnects, or Cardas Clear (and/or Clear LIGHT) and will have absolutely no chance to audition either for system synergy given our time and budget constraints.

Has anyone had any experience with either in similar situations? And is the Cardas Clear LIGHT close to the same ballpark as the others? Can we mix and match Cardas Clear speaker cable and use the Clear LIGHT for interconnects?

Just to throw one more wrench in the works, our supplier can also provide us with Acoustic Zen or XLO, but since the client expressed a preference for the first two brands, those are our focus.

We only occasionally do audio installs in our design work, hence my questions.

Any advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks in advance.
liszt458

Showing 1 response by soix

I've had AZ Satoris and Audience AU24Es in my system as well (both shotgun biwire), and I was hard pressed to tell significant differences in my system. But my system for whatever reason doesn't seem to show differences in speaker cables as much as interconnects so fwiw. If Loftarasa is right the Audience might be a better choice since none of the components you have are known to be bright sounding so additional transparency may be a good thing. But there are so many other variables here (i.e. listener preference, room, etc.) I'm not sure how much even "informed" opinions will help here to be honest. Just as apt to be wrong as right in this situation.

If your client doesn't know all that much about audio or is not an audiophile I'd be surprised if he/she wasn't thrilled with the sound regardless of what cables you use given the nice components you've got there. I'm not a big fan of Cardas, but I spoke with Jeff Joseph at a show recently and he shared that they use Cardas for the internal wiring for their speakers (and at shows) so may be some synergy to be had there. You might give him a call and see what he would recommend. He's also used Hegel amplification (I think the H20) at shows so he might have some nice insights particularly for this system. Best of luck.