Cardas vs Cardas vs Shunyata interconnects


Got a pile of interconnects cables today from Cable Company to try, focusing on between my DAC (Weiss) and pre (Mc c2300)—SF Amati Tradition speakers with MC601s. Base cables mid level Wireworld.

Contenders

- Cardas Clear Cygnus

- Cardas Clear Reflection 

- Shunyata Venom 

- Shunyata Venom X

First in was Cygnus. I was immediately floored. Loved everything about it—feeling so engaged with music. Amazingly dynamic and tight bass response. Every song I played was just amazing.

After an hour I was itching to try the Reflection expecting great things. Nope. Dull and woolly. I love warm, but perhaps this was too much of a good thing. After two songs I was back to the Cygnus. 

Sticking with the Cygnus tonight.

Shunyata will be up tomorrow and I’ll report back. 

w123ale

If the cables are all new, did you give them any burn in time before critical evaluation?

I’d assume that from the Cable Company they have been used a bit already but of course hard to know.

I did find the Cygnus was a little bright with female vocalist—maybe the spot for the Reflection.

Actually trying a mix and match right now with the Cygnus from the DAC and Reflection to the monos. So many possible combinations!

Would you agree that the interconnect between the DAC and the pre has more influence on SQ than between the pre and the monos?

@w123ale not surprised about Cardas. I heard that wool warm blanket when I tried their Clear Beyond power cord. I’m sure it works well in some systems and sounds good to some listeners but I pass.
 

few things if I may…

In my experience, when it comes to interconnects, having the best set between the preamp and amp will get the most ROI. Speaker cables and amplifier power cord would also be at the top of the list. 

I remember reading your post on Shunyata Delta NR v2 power cord on DAC. If that’s the power cord you ended up with, I’d recommend staying with the same level interconnects and speaker cables. 

it is a chain so it all matters

but in my experience, the first connection (from the source) is most pivotal, for obvious reasons -- think back to analog/turntables, that cable from the tt was absolutely key to sonics