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[size=3.5]First off, to answer what will likely be the first questions:
Though not floppy-flexible like the stock cable, the Cardas headphone cable is far more flexible, thin, and manageable than the Clou Red Jaspis. Additionally, it appears Cardas has either sourced or made their own earpiece plugs and earpiece plug moldings.
NOTE: Since I no longer have the Clou Red, any sonic comparisons I make to them are all the more subjective.
While I remember being impressed with the more revealing nature (versus the stock cable) of the Clou Red (particularly in the highs), I do remember feeling there was a slight sense of tonal disjointedness -- as if the highs were takin’ off and leaving everything else slightly behind. I did find the Clou Red to be an overall sonic improvement over the stock cable, but the wow factor wasn’t enough for me to overcome the stiffness, so I sold them to another Head-Fi’er.
First of all, let me preface any statements I make about the Cardas headphone cable prototype by mentioning that I do not believe the prototype has the newfangled 1/4" headphone plug designed by Cardas to reduce crosstalk. Once equipped with this newly designed plug, the final production cable might exhibit even better performance. Even sans fancy new plug, the sonic performance of this Cardas prototype cable has impressed me considerably more than I can remember the Clou doing.
On a scale with “warm and soothing” on one side and “hyper-revealing/unforgiving on the other”, I’d place this Cardas prototype headphone cable squarely between the midpoint and “hyper-revealing" and, in this case, I find that to be a very good thing. I think it’s maybe the perfect foil for the HD-600’s laid-back presentation -- perfect in that it further opens up the already respectable detail across the frequency spectrum, but with such even-handedness as to keep the wonderful, very musical HD-600 character intact. To my ears, there is absolutely no sense of tonal disjointedness with the Cardas headphone cable prototype. With it installed, my HD-600’s aren’t overly bright, and not overly warm -- they’re so just right, and even more beautifully detailed and musical than before.
I’ve had this prototype for less than a week, so more time is needed to give a full review. I figure I should probably also wait until the full production model is out before I do that.
Stefan AudioArt’s new Equinox cable for the HD-580/600 should be on my desk very soon, and, like at least a few of you, I’m also very anxious to find out how these cables will compare to one another. I can say with confidence that this Cardas cable won’t be easily upstaged.[/size]
- The Cardas cable is significantly thinner and much more flexible than the Clou Red Jaspis. It's not floppy like the stock cable, but it is very flexible.
- Though I don't have an exact release date, I believe the full production version of this cable should be available for purchase soon.
- It's shielded.
- It sounds great (more comments below), and provides a significant sonic upgrade from the stock cable.
- In the production version of this cable, there will be a 1/4" headphone plug of a new design that helps eliminate crosstalk.
- I don't have a Clou Red Jaspis to do a direct A/B comparison against the Cardas, but I will have a Stefan AudioArt Equinox very soon.
Though not floppy-flexible like the stock cable, the Cardas headphone cable is far more flexible, thin, and manageable than the Clou Red Jaspis. Additionally, it appears Cardas has either sourced or made their own earpiece plugs and earpiece plug moldings.
NOTE: Since I no longer have the Clou Red, any sonic comparisons I make to them are all the more subjective.
While I remember being impressed with the more revealing nature (versus the stock cable) of the Clou Red (particularly in the highs), I do remember feeling there was a slight sense of tonal disjointedness -- as if the highs were takin’ off and leaving everything else slightly behind. I did find the Clou Red to be an overall sonic improvement over the stock cable, but the wow factor wasn’t enough for me to overcome the stiffness, so I sold them to another Head-Fi’er.
First of all, let me preface any statements I make about the Cardas headphone cable prototype by mentioning that I do not believe the prototype has the newfangled 1/4" headphone plug designed by Cardas to reduce crosstalk. Once equipped with this newly designed plug, the final production cable might exhibit even better performance. Even sans fancy new plug, the sonic performance of this Cardas prototype cable has impressed me considerably more than I can remember the Clou doing.
On a scale with “warm and soothing” on one side and “hyper-revealing/unforgiving on the other”, I’d place this Cardas prototype headphone cable squarely between the midpoint and “hyper-revealing" and, in this case, I find that to be a very good thing. I think it’s maybe the perfect foil for the HD-600’s laid-back presentation -- perfect in that it further opens up the already respectable detail across the frequency spectrum, but with such even-handedness as to keep the wonderful, very musical HD-600 character intact. To my ears, there is absolutely no sense of tonal disjointedness with the Cardas headphone cable prototype. With it installed, my HD-600’s aren’t overly bright, and not overly warm -- they’re so just right, and even more beautifully detailed and musical than before.
I’ve had this prototype for less than a week, so more time is needed to give a full review. I figure I should probably also wait until the full production model is out before I do that.
Stefan AudioArt’s new Equinox cable for the HD-580/600 should be on my desk very soon, and, like at least a few of you, I’m also very anxious to find out how these cables will compare to one another. I can say with confidence that this Cardas cable won’t be easily upstaged.[/size]
