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Anyone had the chance to compare the Cardas Golden Reference and the Golden Cross??

post #1 of 16
5/12/05 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking to do some tweaking to my system for that last little bit. Prefer things to be on the warm, lush side vs. bright side. Guess my ears are getting old. Originally, I'd given consideration to the Nordost Blue Heaven but some feel they still might be a bit bright for my taste. Right now I'm considering these two cables and wonder which of the two is brighter?

Also giving consideration to the VD line as well as perhaps getting in touch with Larry and letting him work some magic for me.

Anyone tried these two? Opinions or suggestions?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 16
5/12/05 at 6:10pm
Hey Ken, I found the Golden Ref brighter then the Golden Cross. Differences were subtle, however, and they all sound like Cardas cables (warm and full). If you want something warm, you can't go wrong with either.

Hehe. Aging ears usually seek out brighter cables. The highs and lows are the first audio spectrum to depreciate as you age. I've heard systems of older audiophiles (50+yo) and they have a tendancy to be bright in order to compensate for their hearing loss.
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post #3 of 16
5/12/05 at 6:17pm
Thread Starter 
Len,

Still hear fine. Just beginning to develop an aversion to bright gear and music. Perhaps my tastes are changing or I'm a closet bass head. Not sure but I do know that I want my music warm, rich, and lush. Guess it's the Senn fan in me.

I'll keep my eye open for both. Right now I'm leaning toward the Reference. Still not sure what a reasonable price is for either of these. I've got an email in to Virtual Dynamics about any specials or demos they've got going/available. Wonder how the Nite II compares to the Cardas in terms of warmth and/or brightness?

Appreciate the feedback and if you run across a deal on either of these, gimme a yell.

Ken
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post #4 of 16
5/12/05 at 7:20pm
I've been looking for a used 0.5M Golden Cross for a month so I could do the comparison myself, but AudiogoN has let me down so far.

Everything I have read has the Golden Cross as warmer, but I will have to hear for myself.
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post #5 of 16
5/12/05 at 11:43pm
Thread Starter 
Your luck has changed...

Cardas Golden Cross

Of course, I need a 1m length & this one is a .5m so it looks like you're up to the plate first. Let me know how they stack up if you snag these. If you sell your reference, let me know...if it's not the .5m length that is.
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post #6 of 16
5/13/05 at 12:08am
KenW:

If you want warm and not so bright, then you are right to go with Cardas Golden Reference Power and ICs. They are the way to go. I go the Golden Reference Power and I might just get another one along with a Golden Reference IC later this year. Of course, you should know that Cardas is coming out with a brand new cable either late this year or sometime next year as well.
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post #7 of 16
5/13/05 at 12:11am
Okay Mr. Ampless you asked for it. I have a pair of golden reference, They are maybe the warmest of the cables I own. The blu heavens in comparison will sound bright compared to them where the blue heavens strength is speed, detail, transparency. I also have the SPM reference's as well they are not as bright as the blue heavens but still on the bright side of flat.

I could send you a pair of cables I have been testing in my ML setup. It sounds not as bright as the SPM reference's or might function better in your setup. It is unbranded but it is made by a company who makes cables for ecosse. They rebadge it as their own and sell it to the consumer for a whopping £550. I only got the cable for £125. Shoot me a PM with your address on it and I will ship it out on Monday. Don't send me any money. Try it out, if you like then we talk, if you don't just send it back to me.
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post #8 of 16
5/13/05 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenW
Your luck has changed...

Cardas Golden Cross

Of course, I need a 1m length & this one is a .5m so it looks like you're up to the plate first. Let me know how they stack up if you snag these. If you sell your reference, let me know...if it's not the .5m length that is.
I bought something off him last year. I think he is incommunicado, as he was slow to answer my inquiry several weeks ago, and never responded to a very good offer I made.
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post #9 of 16
5/13/05 at 11:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Welly Wu
KenW:

If you want warm and not so bright, then you are right to go with Cardas Golden Reference Power and ICs. They are the way to go. I go the Golden Reference Power and I might just get another one along with a Golden Reference IC later this year. Of course, you should know that Cardas is coming out with a brand new cable either late this year or sometime next year as well.
Speak more of this new cable welly!! Inquiring minds want to know. I'm an unrecognized contributor but I still have some space in my meager PM box! Shoot it at me!!
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post #10 of 16
5/13/05 at 12:08pm
No offense intended, but if you REALLY want "that last little bit" I'd sell your current source and use those funds plus the $400 you'll spend for a used 0.5m Cardas Golden Reference and buy a more revealing SACD player.

To be honest, I even think I've placed too much emphasis on expensive cables in my own system (reference my signature file). This is all just IMHO, and after all they're your dollars and your ears...

Quote:
Originally Posted by KenW
I'm looking to do some tweaking to my system for that last little bit. Opinions or suggestions?
Reply
post #11 of 16
5/13/05 at 5:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenW
I'm looking to do some tweaking to my system for that last little bit. Prefer things to be on the warm, lush side vs. bright side. Guess my ears are getting old. Originally, I'd given consideration to the Nordost Blue Heaven but some feel they still might be a bit bright for my taste. Right now I'm considering these two cables and wonder which of the two is brighter?

Also giving consideration to the VD line as well as perhaps getting in touch with Larry and letting him work some magic for me.

Anyone tried these two? Opinions or suggestions?

Thanks.
Ken,
I have compared the Golden Ref. to the Neutral Ref. (Interconnects)

The Golden Ref is a full & big sounding cable. Big soundstage, big bass, really solid with a lot of weight.
On the other hand the Neutral Ref a bit lighter and faster sounding with quicker bass, yet it is Not a bright cable. In MY system I prefer the Neutal Reference interconnects.

Now the difference between the speaker cables is another story......
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post #12 of 16
5/13/05 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the feedback Todd. Have you, by chance, heard the Virtual Dynamics Nite II's?? Wondering how they compare in terms of warmth and detail?
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post #13 of 16
5/13/05 at 8:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenW
Thanks for the feedback Todd. Have you, by chance, heard the Virtual Dynamics Nite II's?? Wondering how they compare in terms of warmth and detail?
Ken,
I have not heard the VD cables.
I had another cable in mind for you to try that I have heard at length in my system.
Audience Au24 would be a wonderful choice for you. It's rich, full bodied, (jeeze, it sounds like I'm describing a wine) and one of the most musical cables I have ever heard. Positive Feedback just did a rave review of them. This is significant because the reviewer, Greg Weaver, preferred them to the cable line he helped develop! (which is another favorite cable company of mine).
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post #14 of 16
5/13/05 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd R
Ken,
I have not heard the VD cables.
I had another cable in mind for you to try that I have heard at length in my system.
Audience Au24 would be a wonderful choice for you. It's rich, full bodied, (jeeze, it sounds like I'm describing a wine) and one of the most musical cables I have ever heard. Positive Feedback just did a rave review of them. This is significant because the reviewer, Greg Weaver, preferred them to the cable line he helped develop! (which is another favorite cable company of mine).
Thanks Todd. I'll give 'em a look. Curious...I see by your profile that you're a cardas fan. Care to give me your opinion as to how the AU24 and Cardas line compares?

Appreciate all your help.
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post #15 of 16
5/14/05 at 10:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenW
Thanks Todd. I'll give 'em a look. Curious...I see by your profile that you're a cardas fan. Care to give me your opinion as to how the AU24 and Cardas line compares?

Appreciate all your help.
Ken,
The Au24 is a very unique cable, nothing really stands out other than it's very musical, and velvet smooth. Matter of fact it may be the most musical cable I have ever heard. The wife liked them immediately.
Physically, they are thin, lightweight, flexible with a small, low mass connectors.
They do have a 30 day trial period.
I'm doing some major system changes and might try them again once everything is settled.

The Cardas is a more traditional cable. They are as the name says, "Neutral" (pretty much). They are fast, clear, open, but never bright. The image placement and soundstage are real good, not as good as the Golden Reference, but close.
These have been my favorite interconnects for the past 3-4 years.
They are flexible, only .355" in diameter, and of course have the high quality Cardas RCA plugs.

Au24, Neutral Reference, & Golden Reference are all great cables.
In order of most warmth to least would be the Golden Ref, Au24, Neutral Ref.
TR
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