Cardas Golden Cros vs. Cardas Golden Ref

The Cardas Golden Cross shifts the emphasis to the lower octaves. Great low end detail, but somewhat too much emphasis down below and a little controlling / restrictive of the upper frequencies. Great vocals, sounds like they are coming from a real human body, you can feel the vocal cords. Golden Reference simply shifts a little away from the hormonal lower octaves and gives a somewhat livelier upper end. That's my take on this. I compared them both to Nordost's SPM. I liked the SPM's imaging, but hated the paper thin vocals and it's lack of feel on the bottom end. If you have bright solid state amps, the CGC might be a good match. My 2 cents worth.

I have been a long time user of Cardas cables and I completely agree with Et's post. I used Golden Cross for many years but began to feel that it was somewhat too forgiving and "slow". I took the plunge and tried Nordost Quattro-Fil and SPM ref but it sounded thin though had great detail and speed. I settled on Golden Reference which I feel combines the strengths of both the other two: gorgeous midrange (there's a body to go with the voice), rich and solid low end, natural extension, air and detail in the treble. It plays music.

Khrys... I am exploring both these cables. How is the Reference in terms of dynamics, cutting the RF, and musicality?

Lkern...To my ears the Golden Reference is somewhat more dynamic, equal in cutting RF, but ultimately substantially more musical; and it is not due simply to the addition of more treble. The depth and detail of the soundstage draws you into the music. Instead of GC's euphony I hear subtlety and finesse. Where GRef really excels over GC is in pace: tempos are more toe-tapping; where GC is slow, GRef is quick (but not fast). Where GC is forgiving GRef is enticing. Very enticing...Very Very enticing...

Thanks. I suspect that the GRef is the one to audition in my system. I want to protect the very sonic qualities you mention...especially that, to me, essential quality of musicality which is made up many factors. Ironically, the Cardas people also suggest the GRef as a "very good" match (their words) to the Magnan I have between my amps and pre. Again, many thanks. This is the value of such a forum. Bert