Hey Pete, the Leonidas+Ares II is available for audition at e-earphone along with the regular cables and other bespoke including the Leonidas+Thor II and Mars+Leonidas. They also now have the Janus but I haven't auditioned that yet! If you've auditioned or indeed have the Lionheart, it's a stunning cable - refined, beautiful tone, balanced across frequency bands, wide soundstage with the ability to seemingly pull detail from one side of the universe, nice sparkle and a decay that trails forever. The Lionheart is sublime with female vocals. Ok enough praise.
I purchased the Leonidas+Ares II because I wanted something truly different. The price was the same as the Lionheart, so here in Japan it's JPY 60,000. If I were to compare the Leonidas+Ares II to the Lionheart the differences are quite obvious. The L+A II has increased resolution and excellent micro dynamics, it's like lifting a veil from the Lionheart. The bass is warmer and more rhythmic, and the treble is smoother but doesn't have the sparkle of the Lionheart. The soundstage is narrower yet deeper, while the note decay is shorter.
So what does this mean? Well I appreciate the resolution lift and bass warmth, even if it's at the cost of the beautiful tone and extended note decay of the Lionheart. It also seems to be better for longer listening sessions probably from the smoother treble, and I often catch myself lost in the music and tapping my feet. For me, the L+A II works well with male vocals and rock music like Kings of Leon and Dire Straits.
I'll try and audition the Janus cables next week. It's Golden Week in Japan at the moment and e earphone is packed with everyone on holidays.