Thanks for the feedback Jedinite24.
The Q-10 is definitely more substantial, it's equivalent of a 10awg cable. I'll have to keep my eye out for a used pair, or maybe try to find a place that will let me demo them.
As for mixing and matching, my gut tells me to try things and go with what my ears think sounds best, but part of me believes that there has to be some benefit to using cabling from the same company, like maybe they design them to work well or carry the same sonic signature. I don't know. Still learning.