Cardas or Zu Mobius for my HD650? - Page 2

I'm pretty sure that if you ask the people of zucables they can put the mobius in something other than the very unflexable tecflex that it normaly comes in. I don't even think they charge a fee for it so there's no reson to let the cables flexability detract from its great sound.

Based on what I've read about these cables I'd definitely go for Zu. Cardas has always got somewhat modest reviews but Zu has always been on top.

An excellent short description of the Equinox I must say. I'm in for the Equinox as well. One listen and I immediately thought "THIS is what the stock HD650 cable should've been!" It completely took away any itch I had to try the other aftermarket cables, short of one of the others just dropping into my lap for free.

I'm a fan of zu products, I use their gedes interconnect in both rca and xlr, as well as their libtec, wax and st julian speaker cables. i even have a pair of their druid mark 4 speakers - they're great.

the stiffness of the sheath in speaker cables makes little difference, however in their headphone cable they should use something softer such as their st julian sheath. It has a cloth feel to it and would be perfect for their headphone cables. I've put the stiff zu headphone cable away in favor of the stock because of cable inflexibility, it's just too damn annoying.

this being said it's a great cable, very dynamic and detailed, however I find it a little harsh for night-time listening, especially when you're falling a sleep and are suddenly woken up by the brightness. the equinox is perfect if you're a night time listener.

It also takes away hd650's bass. I like the stock more than the headphile blacksilver for the hd650. In the 580 I liked headphile more.

I don't know the Cardas nor the Equinox. The ones I've tried and own are Zu Mobius, Silver Dragon (older and newer version -- slight sonic difference!), Headphile BlackSilver (meanwhile modified), Oehlbach and HD 650 stock cable. All my cables have lengths between 1 and 1.25 m, so Oehlbach and stock cable are shortened.

I've been a long-time Zu Mobius advocate and still think it's one of the best cables for the HD 650, but after changing my source (from Bel Canto DAC2 to McCormack UDP-1) I find it a bit too dark and sharp at the same time, so the Silver Dragon (older version) has become my favorite. Of all my cables these two are the best when it comes to detail and definition. The Silver Dragon is the brightest and leanest, but it's smoother at the upper end and in my now configuration (ICs!) more liquid than the Zu, which in turn has the stronger bass and even higher focus at high frequencies, which is where the SD loses a bit of it compared to the ultra-detailed midrange. If it was possible to attach the HD 650 directly to the amp, without a cable in between, I guess it would sound somewhere between these two.

The Headphile BlackSilver is more forgiving than both and even smoother. It lacks the Zu's and SD's ultimate definition, but offers higher brilliance and a very detailed treble, without being fatiguing. I don't think it lacks bass, BTW, not compared to the stock cable. The Oehlbach sounds smoother, more liquid and spacious than the stock cable, although focus and instrument placement may even be slightly worse. On the other hand it has the stronger bass and higher contrasts, so sounds more dynamic, more brilliant and more fun.

Compared to the aftermarket cables the stock cable sounds a bit lackluster and lacks treble sparkle, clarity and dynamic contrasts, which makes it kind of sallow sounding. I don't care if a cable moves the HD 650 more to the Grado direction and makes it lose its personal characteristic... actually I don't like characteristics at all, and everything that manages to minimize it is welcome, in the interest of neutrality. But since in the real audio world neutrality is actually the product of optimal synergies, there's no sense in insisting on the most neutral cable (hard to define anyway), rather in going for the most synergetic cable instead. Anyway, from their superior definition and precision I would seriously consider either the Zu Mobius or the Silver Dragon, if the system harmonizes with their characteristics. Maybe the Equinox is of a similar caliber, but I haven't heard it. The descriptions of the Cardas make me doubt it is, but who knows. The BlackSilver is an attractive cable for the price and is the most flexible of the top cables.

[Edit: some rectifications, especially in favor of the BlackSilver]
.

For what it's worth, I'm yet another Equinox user (on 650s and 600s.) I find the Cardas a little too bright and forward in the treble region. I've yet to hear the Zu, but, since the general consensus is that it is even brighter than the Cardas, I'm in no rush to check it out right away.

Well how about the....

I use a Clou Blue cable for mine Senn HD600s. It is NIGHT and day over the stock cable and it was REALLY inexpensive as WELL, under $100.00. What I was curious about is, how big a difference would it be over cables costing lots more with some connectors as well as about $150 for the cardas, I mean I paid $285.00 for the headphones and a lot of the cables here cost atleast 50% or over 200% more than I paid for the headphone! I mean I have read reviews about the Zu, the Equinox, the Dragons etc. It just makes me wonder sometimes thats all. Input is gladly welcomed. NO head amp yet its ordering and waiting, a Millet Hybrid which is suppose to be a really nice match just have to wait for it be built.

I concur. I owned all three brands at the same time, but I kept only the ZU Mobius.

I now have several pages of notes for an attempt to compare my de-foamed 650s using the stock, Zu, Equinox and RnB Grace Five 2 on both my MPX3 and Prehead amps. I know some of those comparisons have been done a few times, but I couldn't find a comparison of all four. Also, I am switching and comparing them all live thanks to PFKMan23 who loaned me the RnB cable, which I do not own. Although I have personal favorites, I do not think this decision is at all black and white (one is too bright, one is too detailed, etc.) and your amp can make a huge difference on your choice of cable.

I tried to borrow a Cardas from a local dealer, but they were out of stock. I also had the Headphile Blacksilver awhile back on some woodied HD600s, and thought it was just OK on both the 600s and 650s. It brightened up the 650s a bit, but did not have the detail or soundstaging of any of the other cables I have tried.

As far as choices for the original poster Brat, I would say that with your musical preferences and your Prehead with silver ICs, I would not recommend a Zu cable. On my Prehead, I find that the Zu has the potential to be too bright and fatiguing, and sometimes unlistenable at reasonaly high volumes with electronic music. It isn't always that way at every volume level or for every type of music, so don't get me wrong. It just isn't the best choice for solid state, IMO. On the MPX3, however, the Zu can be magical with jazz, rock, and electronic music even, and its harsher tendencies seem to disappear or at least be toned down. To my ears, some things sound better on the Zu/MPX3 combo than any other cable.

What I strongly recommend would be either the Equinox or the RnB, both of which sound terrific fed from the Prehead. Both of these cables have the ability to be musical and engaging while at the same time being incredibly detailed and resolving. It would seem impossible to experience fatigue with either one. The Equinox edges the RnB for my personal tastes because it provides a slightly more detailed presentation, and a slightly more natural sound signature. However, the RnB has a bit more "energy" because I think it can be a little mid-forward which sometimes it adds more life/spark where the Equinox can be more flat (2D) and laid-back. You make the call, but those are some thoughts that seemed relevant to your choice.

Best of luck.

just curious, anyone else tried "combining" cables? I have a Zu extension and Cardas and Equinox cables right now, and it's rather interesting trying the different combinations. I have the other half of the Zu coming this week, so I'll get to try it out for real

Just curious if anyone else actually preferred a combination of two cables!