Cardas spkr. cables: Quad vs. Cross vs. Golden Cr


For various reasons I've decided on getting a used pair of (bi-wire) Cardas speaker cables. I'm debating between the $$$ & sound trade offs of Quad, Cross, & Golden Cross (if I really stretch for the latter). So far the best speaker cables I've owned are DH Labs T14 (what I'm using now).

Rest of my system consists of ARC VT100 MK II, VTL pre-amp, CAL CL-25, & Rega P25. My speakers: well, right now I'm alternating between my B&W M802 S3's, & my Merlin TSM-M's......so I'd like to get cables that would sound great with either speakers, (while I decide which to keep in my main system), if that is possible.

I have a chance to get an almost new pair of Cardas Quad at a pretty good price right now.........wondering if I should go for it, or hold out for Cross or Golden Cross.
Any advice would be appreciated!
steveaudio

Showing 2 responses by zaikesman

Well, another set is bound to come along soon - there is mucho Cardas listed on the A-Gon. I know that the Neutral Ref is close in price to the Cross, but I haven't compared the sound. The construction does seem rather different, though. I'm pretty satisfied, however, so I don't know that I'll muster up the curiousity to bring in a set of it to audition in my system (maybe if I ever upgrade the system enough to warrant it...) Good luck!
For not too much more than Quad, I would hold out for Cross at least. I basically had this same type of conversation with the folks at Cardas before I got my Cross (single-wire) as an upgrade from entry-level CrossLink, and they told me to skip over Quad in this situation, as its sound would not be a big step up. This is probably what they would advise with your caliber of rig, and my results bear them out. The sound is wide open, extended, powerful, and nuetral (c-j PV-8 and MV-55, Thiel CS-2.2). Don't be surprised at first if this revealing cable seems a little "bright" in comparision to your old stuff - it only took me a half-day to apprectiate the cleaner, less veiled sound, after which switching back easily showed up the relative shortcomings of the cheaper cable.