Well another thing that I have noticed before, is that cable companies tend to listen to their critics more than their fans. Take Shunyata for example, when they first came out with their power cords and the Hydra, the flavor was very rich, warm and musical. Many folks fell in love with the sound instantly, while the critics said it was coloring the sound, with not enough resolution. So each newer generation of Shunyata cords that came out were increasingly transparent and decreasingly musical.
It sounds as if Cardas is moving in the same direction. Many have complained over the years that Cardas cables are too dull and lifeless, while the Cardas owners loved their musical sound. So Cardas, like many other companies is chasing after those who do not like their sonic signature, in hopes that their loyal following will hold true to the Cardas name in effort to grow their share.
It's just business, not personal. The original Shunyata cords did hold their value pretty good for a while, as those who liked their original attributes would rather buy older, used cords than the newer ones. You don't see many 10+ year old Shunyata cords are the market anymore, as they seem to have settled into systems or closets for the long run. Occasionally one will pop up for sale, and though re-sale has gone down, they still sell for a pretty good price for a 12-15 year old power cord.
As Theo said, they are not manufacturing the Golden series anymore, but they are still selling off current inventory. Eventually current inventory will be depleted and no longer an option.
