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Cardas or Zu Mobius for my HD650?

post #1 of 26
12/17/05 at 9:15am
Thread Starter 
What are the differences between these two repalcement cables?

My music preferences are jazz / trip hop.
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post #2 of 26
12/17/05 at 10:16am
I had to do this to you. I realize this doesn't answer your question but this is Head-Fi. I've had both of the cables you are asking about and they are both good cables. I recently (Tampa Meet) had a cable revelation. I had not intended on changing out my Zu as I was pretty happy with it. PsychoZX had his RnB cable with him so I started to compare and it was startling the difference between it and the Zu. The Zu was flat and lifeless by comparison. I ended up with the RnB cable. It's priced in between the two you are considering. myo is a great guy to deal with. Sorry to add to your problem.
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post #3 of 26
12/17/05 at 10:59am
Not the Cardas I'll be running a full true comparison today but early impression after using the Cardas for months before using the stock is that the stock is a better cable overall. The Cardas has greater midrange clarity and is a little more forward but has recessed bass and treble in comparison to stock. The stocker is smooth, balanced and has a great romantic quality to it that works very well with the Senn 650.
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post #4 of 26
12/17/05 at 1:15pm
For me, the only solution I like in replacement cables has been the Stefan AudioArt Equinox. It is still the "gold standard" for Senn 650 repacement cables in my book, and the only one I'll own as of now. I would like to hear Myo's cable one day and hear it for myself.
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post #5 of 26
12/17/05 at 1:56pm
Equinox. Next down would be Blue Dragon. I've never heard the Zu, but I can't honestly recommend the cardas, having owned it in single ended and then balanced configs. It sounds nasal and constricted - given their cable making skills, they really should spend a few minutes bothering to redesign the thing. I honestly prefer the stock cable.
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post #6 of 26
12/17/05 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solude
Not the Cardas I'll be running a full true comparison today but early impression after using the Cardas for months before using the stock is that the stock is a better cable overall. The Cardas has greater midrange clarity and is a little more forward but has recessed bass and treble in comparison to stock. The stocker is smooth, balanced and has a great romantic quality to it that works very well with the Senn 650.
Mmm some love for the stock cable. I am one of the seemingly few who think they did an excellent job with that stock cable. I also feel like the sound signature was designed including the cable. The overall signature is not perfect, and has a few flaws, but some of the upgrade cables seem to be little different to jacking up the EQ here and there to compensate for perceived weaknesses.
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post #7 of 26
12/17/05 at 2:41pm
HD650, Zu Mobius and a beefy amp. Heaven!
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post #8 of 26
12/17/05 at 3:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Pa
HD650, Zu Mobius and a beefy amp. Heaven!
Truer words were never spoken!
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post #9 of 26
12/17/05 at 4:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ServinginEcuador
For me, the only solution I like in replacement cables has been the Stefan AudioArt Equinox. It is still the "gold standard" for Senn 650 repacement cables in my book, and the only one I'll own as of now. I would like to hear Myo's cable one day and hear it for myself.
I will bring mine down to Austin for the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September. You can meet us up there (last year stevieo, jp11801, hopefully a few more next year).
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post #10 of 26
12/17/05 at 4:30pm
Another vote for the Equinox. I heard the Zu and cringed. Too bright, it seemed to me to try and turn the 650's into Grado's...
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post #11 of 26
12/17/05 at 8:09pm
I have the zu, equinox and the cardas.

- Zu is a dynamic sounding cable, however the cable is very stiff.

- Equinox is smooth and airy.

- Cardas in my opinion is a tad dull.
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post #12 of 26
12/17/05 at 8:43pm
Another vote for the Equinox....
I found the Zu too bright, as well, but in all fairness, it and the 650's were still breaking in.
Bob
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post #13 of 26
12/17/05 at 8:44pm
I can understand those that think the Zu sounds too bright (it instead nicely moves the Senns forward IMO and I'm pretty sensitive to brightness), but "flat and lifeless"?

My one issue with the Zu is it's non-flexible nature. You have to really like the thing to put up with its presence. Pretty irritating. The Cardas is wonderful in this department.
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post #14 of 26
12/17/05 at 9:04pm
Another vote for the Equinox cable. I would liken it to the stock cable on steroids, besting it in every respect without changing the overall presentation. Also, do not disregard how flexible this cable is compared to the Zu, much more enjoyable to use.
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post #15 of 26
12/17/05 at 9:23pm
Another top tier cable to consider is the Silver Dragon. Compared to the Zu it's less bright in the (upper) midrange but brighter on top, which adds a certain brilliance and dryness to the sound. Wonderful micro-dynamics, extremely accurate midrange, excellent soundstage, especially soundstage depth, but a bit more reserved in the bass compared to the Zu. I think the Silver Dragon sounds just a tick too light-footed at times.

The Zu due to its brighter midrange has a fairly exciting sound and thus probably moving it the furthest away from the stock sound. The Zu cable's bass has the best bass depth and impact from all the cables I've tried, and offers the most visceral and dynamic experience although it can be too much at times, too. In the end, I like them both and it kind of depends on the rest of the system to achieve a synergistic sound.

I've never heard the Cardas.

To add a less expensive cable, I think the Headphile cable has the best price/performance ratio among the Sennheiser cables I've tried. Its tonal balance is closer to the stock than either Zu or Silver Dragon but at the same time adds more extension and presence in the treble and upper midrange. It is also much more flexible than both Zu and Silver Dragon. The lack of flexibility of these two cables really is a pain in the arse.

I'd love to hear the Equinox and RnB cables one of these days.
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