Upgrade from Cardas Neutral Reference speaker cables

I used the NR speaker cables for several years and found them to be OK, but thin sounding. Upgraded to Cardas Golden Reference.

"Neutral Reference" is the only set in the lineup I had not tried from Cardas before I moved on to other brand OCC cables. @rlb61 your comment about it sounding "thin" is what I learned from a few friends, so I skipped them. Owned many others prior, and did some early demo evaluation with the latest clear line past 2-3 years. Never quite found what I wanted. Was hoping Clear Reflections would be a good mix, and for some reason just could not get there with them either. Maybe my system, almost gave up.

CGR:
While I’ve been experimenting with Analysis Plus Crystal OCC cables the past few years with my tube amps, and loving the amazing sound stage and depth...recently had a hankering to go back and re-try the Golden Reference (CGR) once again. Bought 3 pairs a few months ago. Two pairs for the sources and a 1.5M pair between my tube preamp and tube amps. Very nice, I had forgotten what these sounded like. I received the newer design/version with the updated connectors on the GCRs for my interconnects. I’m going to experiment with re-mixing the CGRs with the AP OCC crystals. So far its another interesting combo, a bit of the best from both worlds meshed together. Definitely hearing some of that memorable tone, texture, and musicality I recalled long ago from some of the earlier Cardas. Guitars, strings, and piano keys sound glorious once again. A fun throwback for sure, keepers this time around. Fun to rotate them in now every once in a while.

The original Cardas golden cross are the best I have used.

No longer made but can be found used.

I have been using Golden Cross now for about 7-8 years and have actually been looking at switching to Golden Reference. I am holding off on buying as I am looking at the possibility of mono blocks and that would allow me to buy shorter cables. I see NR a lot on Cable Co. and have wondered why they are getting traded in and what they are being replaced with. Seems like the few responses here seem positive, so I ask the OP why are you wanting to move on?

One thing about Golden Reference ... it can be too much of a good thing when using an entire loom (i.e., ICs and Speaker). When I did, I heard a distinct bloat in the mid-bass. So, I removed the ICs and kept the GR speaker cable in the system. The GR ICs are now collecting dust in my closet, and I have replaced them with Audio Envy.