I will address the Acoustic Zen cables on your list as they were favorites of mine for awhile.
Early last year, I was very happy using an all Acoustic Zen configuration consisting of MC2, Silver Ref II, Matrix Ref II and biwired Hologram II. The system was very smooth, powerful and had good extension at both ends all while retaining a decent amount of organic nature. However, at some point I felt my system lacked a bit of romance and sometimes sounded dry.
At this point I decided to buy a single run of Audience AU24 speaker cables to compare against my Hologram II, and after comparing them for five months decided that the AU24 were definitely what my system needed. While cymbals no longer had the shimmer the Hologram II brought to my set up, the overall sound closer to analog.
I know you weren't impressed with the Audience, but I have to ask if these were the interconnects or the speaker cables? Earlier this year, I tried switching all my AZ interconnects to Audience and felt the AU24 killed all the dynamics and shrunk the entire presentation. The AU24 speaker cables on the other hand retained the same expansive soundstage as the Hologram II while making everything sound less digital and more real. I didn't like the AU24 interconnects at all, but I love their speaker cables.
Last spring, I bought a set of Ridge Street Audio Poiema speaker cables and was very impressed with them. After comparing them to my AU24 for a couple months, I felt the Poiema reminded me a lot of the Hologram II. I think they're an excellent cable and a great bargain.
The results you've posted of the Cardas and Audience lead me to believe the Acoustic Zen may be a better choice for you. But be aware that the Matrix Ref II and Silver Ref II are very different sounding interconnects. They both have the same expansive, smooth Acoustic Zen family sound, but the Matrix Ref II are fuller and rounder, while the Silver Ref II are more neutral and have a better delineated treble.
I've used Cardas Golden Cross interconnects and Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables in the past and in my system both lacked the top extension you may be hoping for.
Ultimately, it'll come down to you having to take the plunge and buying a few to compare. Allow them enough time to break-in, and try to resist the quick back and forth A/B'ing which may give you an idea of the cable's differences, but won't give you the overall impression and broader picture a long audition of a few weeks or months will.
Good luck.
Early last year, I was very happy using an all Acoustic Zen configuration consisting of MC2, Silver Ref II, Matrix Ref II and biwired Hologram II. The system was very smooth, powerful and had good extension at both ends all while retaining a decent amount of organic nature. However, at some point I felt my system lacked a bit of romance and sometimes sounded dry.
At this point I decided to buy a single run of Audience AU24 speaker cables to compare against my Hologram II, and after comparing them for five months decided that the AU24 were definitely what my system needed. While cymbals no longer had the shimmer the Hologram II brought to my set up, the overall sound closer to analog.
I know you weren't impressed with the Audience, but I have to ask if these were the interconnects or the speaker cables? Earlier this year, I tried switching all my AZ interconnects to Audience and felt the AU24 killed all the dynamics and shrunk the entire presentation. The AU24 speaker cables on the other hand retained the same expansive soundstage as the Hologram II while making everything sound less digital and more real. I didn't like the AU24 interconnects at all, but I love their speaker cables.
Last spring, I bought a set of Ridge Street Audio Poiema speaker cables and was very impressed with them. After comparing them to my AU24 for a couple months, I felt the Poiema reminded me a lot of the Hologram II. I think they're an excellent cable and a great bargain.
The results you've posted of the Cardas and Audience lead me to believe the Acoustic Zen may be a better choice for you. But be aware that the Matrix Ref II and Silver Ref II are very different sounding interconnects. They both have the same expansive, smooth Acoustic Zen family sound, but the Matrix Ref II are fuller and rounder, while the Silver Ref II are more neutral and have a better delineated treble.
I've used Cardas Golden Cross interconnects and Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables in the past and in my system both lacked the top extension you may be hoping for.
Ultimately, it'll come down to you having to take the plunge and buying a few to compare. Allow them enough time to break-in, and try to resist the quick back and forth A/B'ing which may give you an idea of the cable's differences, but won't give you the overall impression and broader picture a long audition of a few weeks or months will.
Good luck.