Totem Sinew vs Acoustic Zen Matrix ll??

Totem doesn't claim that their cables are the best to use with their products, and will gladly discuss upgrade options with you. They recommended Harmonic to me as a brand they've had a lot of success with.

I used Sinew in my system for quite a while, occasionally swapping them out for Acoustic Zen, Audioquest, Anti-Cables, 47 labs, and a few others. I didn't think that the minor sonic upgrades from these were worth the price until I tried Cardas Golden Reference. I'm now using Crystal Standard with my Mani-2's and am very happy with that combination.

Totem's cables are great mid-range offerings that are priced very attractively for what they do.

I have Plinius & Totem as well, but I'm using the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference IIs to good effect. Did you ever settle this issue for yourself?

I have AZ marix matrix reference II and also Audioquest cheetah 72v dbs. Aq was much better cable, more transparent and with better inner detail-silence.

fwiw I found AZ Matrix Ref I and II to be good cables but a bit on the warm and thick side. In fact everything I have tried from AZ has a bit of this quality, I do like them but have moved on since then (don't we all?)

I too, found better cables for my Totem Forest than the Sinew/Tress. Although I did think the Sinew/Tress was among the best I had used with them. For me, Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ and Magic Links sounded better. Haven't tried the Acoustic Zen, and only limited experience with the Cardas, and not with my Totem system.

I had the totem Sttafs and sim audio amp. I used the Sinew interconnect and speaker cables. I swapped them for Cardas Neutral Reference which I felt was better at the time. I have since changed equipment and cabling.

My take on the Totem cables is that they are polite and a bit dry (in my words). VPI makes the same claim about their phono cables being the most synergistic with their turn tables. I have compared the VPI cables to others, and prefer other brands.

Long story short, it is worth trying different cables until you find a combo you like. Don't assume that the best match is actually the one your manufacturer suggests (especially if they are suggesting you buy more of their products).

My 2 cents.

BTW. I have not tried the Acoustic Zen cables you speak of.