Cardas Golden Reference or Clear Cygnus? Which would you choose?

@markusthenaimnut Greetings, while I’ve owned both, here is my personal experience in my systems.

If you want a sense of more precise detail and open air, the 4-wire Cygnus fits the bill. Definitely more neutral though in my systems. This cable is comes from the newer generation of the Clear line, down in the line. I found Cygnus may lack a little extra body and weight with its seemingly increased clarity, detail, transparency. Can still be a nice cable lets say if you have subwoofers for example, and need to open up the sound a bit more and want more of the upper register detail to come through.. The product description is accurate.

The older generation Clear Reference is the predecessor to the latest Clear "Reflections". Having owned all three of these cables, I’d say the Clear Reference is slightly more smoothed over and slightly more full-bodied than Cygnus, in general. Maybe not quite as full-bodied as the new Clear Reflection, which is a blend of old/new Cardas design.

If I had to lean in one direction or the other, if you must pick Clear Reference, once fully settled in for 21-30 days, it can sound closer to Clear Reflection than it does compared to Cygnus.The detail is still there, just not as forward or in your face with Clear Reference or the new Clear Reflection.

For whatever reason (imo, and not sure exactly why), the older generations cables with the stiffer outer jacket, seemed to sound different to me after a full 21-30 days and was easy to make premature judgement without giving them a chance. I’ve had 2-3 pairs of all 3 of these cables, tried them in both SS and tube systems, on the same full range floor standing multi-driver speakers - if it helps to know.

Best I know how to describe these. Opinions may vary on all 3 of these cables in different systems and different treated rooms of course. This is what I concluded fwiw. Best of Luck. 

It depends on where you want to go. Gold Reference is really warm,  subduing details. I am not familiar with the Cygnus, but Clear Reflection, Clear, and Clear beyond. They are less warm and more detailed as you go up. Most likely Clear Beyond would be your best bet in Cardas. For me, all are too warm and Transparent are much better at imparting no tonal shift or harshness… well, just being transparent. Something, you may or may not want.

Cardas = warmth not my cup of tea YMMV

@rsf507 Cardas = warmth not my cup of tea YMMV

Have you actually tried and listened to Cardas Clear -or- Cardas Clear Beyond in your own system?

Yes both at a dealers several times. No matter the equipment I came away with that warm sound, not to my liking. The Golden Ref was the worst, great midrange but rolled off at both frequency extremes. Again my own impressions

@rsf507 Yes both at a dealers several times. No matter the equipment I came away with that warm sound, not to my liking. The Golden Ref was the worst, great midrange but rolled off at both frequency extremes. Again my own impressions.

Sure, but that’s why I asked "in your own system". So the answer is no.

In 45 years of audio life, I have yet to demo a piece of gear at any dealer and have it sound identically the same as when I get it home to my own system and room, environment. Some times the results can be a complete 180, better or worse.

I had the Cardas Clear Cygnus and loved them. Really no faults. Very musical and could happily live with them. I made the leap to clear beyond speaker. The Cygnus has the same sonic signature but the clear beyond adds just a tremendous amount of clarity and sonic energy. Clear beyond is truly a treat and a marvel. I don’t feel a need to go anywhere else.