AudioQuest vs Cardas XLR

@lollipopguild Has anyone tried the more affordable Clear Sky model

Where are you finding "affordable" Clear Sky? And how affordable?

Just checked a few different sites and sure enough those same cheap counterfeit Sky sets are listed for sale out there again, heads up. Lots of threads on it.

@decooney 

Available in the UK here

https://www.analogueseduction.net/analogue-interconnects/cardas-clear-sky-audio-interconnects.html

Anyhow, this is now moot as I've ordered the Cygnus

@lollipopguild Anyhow, this is now moot as I've ordered the Cygnus

Good deal. Should be good to go. 

I'm enjoying trying Cygnus with different components. Some times I interchange Cygnus with Clear Reflection. Both are nice for different reasons. You definitely can hear a little more with the 4-wire Cygnus, when compared to prior generations

@decooney 

The Cygnus's arrived today, and already after only an hour of listening the detail and transparency they're offering is remarkable.  Though, to be honest, they're a touch harder and brighter than I was hoping for.

I noticed in an earlier comment you remarked on their burn-in. Can I ask how they are likely to change?  

@lollipopguild

Hard and bright are terms normally associated with new equipment before breakin. Run it 24 hours a day for at least 100 hours… and it should soften. But do not judge until at least 200 hours. 

@lollipopguild I noticed in an earlier comment you remarked on their burn-in. Can I ask how they are likely to change?  

They relax and settle in after they've been uncoiled out of the box, rested in place plugged in, and there is a form of discharging affect that occurs as part of the dielectric itself, and won't go into the wire-usage aspects. A few things happen, change does occur.  It's been posted many-many times on Agon. Sometimes we feel like a broken record on this topic...  

As @ghdprentice mentioned, I'm from the same camp of giving them 21-30 days, no joke.  You'll hear it smooth out, more depth, mild texture comes in, and  oddly enough becomes more engaging to listen to.  More on the Cardas site. Enjoy.  

@lollipopguild any change with more time?

I find the Cygnus to be a little more revealing than my older series Cardas or other pairs of Clear Reflection (hybrid of old/new designs). With Cygnus, fyi, my source, preamp, and amps have to be fully warmed up a few hours b4 the edge goes away and Cygnus do their best. The 4-wire design of Cygnus does reveal what’s there with any source or recording. Cygnus is not as colored or bloomy or veiled over as some other regular copper basic wire cables can be, imo.

Thanks for following up, @decooney .

I haven't observed much change in character with burn-in - and it's had a lot.  Female voices, in particular, seem to suffer a hardness, and sibilance is very noticeable.

I've actually found a set of Golden Cross XLR second-hand, so will compare them.  I might also try Purist Audio Designs.  I do think I need something with a little warmth to it, and though the Cygnus is a great cable it's a little too analytical for my system.

@lollipopguild "I’ve actually found a set of Golden Cross XLR second-hand.."

I was a GC diehard for a few decades, probably the absolute most lush cable Cardas ever sold. That is the other end of the spectrum. Later came Clear lines. GC was also one of the most complex and labor intensive to make too. All three of my GC pairs went to Pass Labs owners with certain amps and speaker combos that were "too bright" in their words. Sibilance can also start at the source, AC power, DAC, etc.

Once I moved to better DACs, power supply, and a good 6SN7 tube preamp, parted with all three pairs of Golden Cross to the next happy owners. You’ll have no problem reselling the GCs later if you choose to down the road. Should be a good comparison for you. IF GCs are not extra lush, something else going on there.