Ok, I think I've listened to Orpheus' cables long enough. First here's my setup.
SOURCES: Panasonic DVD-CP72 (for CDs and DVD-Audio) or Computer 1 (digital coax via M-Audio Audiophile 24/96) or Computer 2 (digital optical via M-Audio Sonica). I'm a computer geek so computers just have to be part of my audio life. Both computers are upsampling to 24/88. Computer 2 is the super quiet one.
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M-Audio CO3 (digital convertor/selector/jitter corrector).
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DACS: ART DI/O or SONY JE500 MiniDisc Deck.
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AMP: n0rh SE9 (integrated tube amp). This has 2 input selectors which are going to both of the DACs mentioned above. Orpheus' interconnect is going to JE500. Boldercables Type II is going to ART DI/O.
MY IMPRESSIONS
K1000 stock cable: Clearer, has more airiness.
K1000 Orpheus' cable: More bass, highs are less harsh, greater soundstage, slightly higher volume.
I don't believe there's a winner here. It depends on your music and tastes. For rock, jazz, and latin, I preferred the stock cable. The extra clarity allowed better positioning of certain instruments, their depth to be felt, and percussions were just there. I imagine myself being in a small club w/ the rock, jazz, or latin band playing. It was more in your face. For classical, I preferred Orpheus' cable. It's characteristics made everything very smooth and together and in a larger space. This was more laid back but quite sweet for this type of music.
In the end, I prefer the stock cable as I don't listen to much classical and I like things clearer. I also think I can tweak my system to gain more bass and less harshness although at a price more expensive than just using the Orpheus cable
I'm going to have another go but this time w/ DVD-Audio going from the DVD-CP72 to nOrh SE9 using Orpheus' interconnect. I read DVD-Audio has limited digital output and I'm not sure if I was getting 24/48 instead of 24/96 so I'll be doing analogue out this time.