Audioquest vs Acoustic Zen

Not the case, I carry both AZ and PAD.

(Dealer disclaimer)

I've just compared the AQ Black Mamba II (cheaper version of the King Cobra) with the AZ WOW! interconnect and it was a no contest, the WOW was superior. The AQ sounded more distant, the AZ more upfront with good dispersion. It reminded me of being in the first or second row and had excellent width.

The AQ (by AudioAdvisor) Black Mamba II may have similarities in construction to the King Cobra but it sounds 100% different. The Black Mamba is fast and lean with good imaging whereas the King Cobra was slow and ponderous with fat mushy bass. No contest here. Even the Monster M1000i was superior to it. I dumped the KC and kept the BM II.

Thanks for the correction, Theduke. I think many confuse BM II as a cheaper clone of the King Cobra. Makes me wonder if the Diamondback is a better option that BM II.

The King Cobra and Diamondback are old cables which are not
being produced anymore. The new AQ interconnects use a lot more
airtubes. What makes them a lot more open and faster in timing.
Try to audition the new ones!