What's warmer, richer and better than Isolda?

But times as well, especially in the bass - and how much is it?

 

Cardas Golden Cross Alex. Or Golden Reference if you prefer a little zest.

How much do you need?

 

About 2.5m each side, maybe 3. Funny you should mention Cardas, someone else recommended it/them too.

 

Must resist, must resist.....:tempted:

Michael.

 

Funny, no mention of price. . . . is it that bad?

 

I'd second Merlin's recommendation on the warmth and bass front, the Golden ref is rather good at that, timing, your'll need to stick it in and see for yourself
Isolda can be a bit boom & tizz, if not matched correctly.

 

You want to buy some too Michael?

Well done. You have seen the light at last!

 

Price, see Merlin for that retail Us is about $1800<>$2200

 

If you need to ask the price sir, you cant afford it.

 

Right! Do Cardas make cheaper cables that are less boom and tizz (especially tizz in my case) than Isolda?

 

WM - What's your cable like 'Spose I could always put the speakers closer together.

 

Alex, there awful, diabolical in fact their so naff I use them at home I hate good sounds you see, I really should use 6mm T+E between the speakers
Cardas Neutral ref is Ok, from audiogon cheaper maybe $400-$500 plus import, siltec/vdh do warm ones also, can't remeber the name, try putting a some more copper better the cdp & pre, that'll have an effect

 

Alex,

A used 3m pair of GC should go for about £600 on Audiogon, GR about another £200. The GR would be my choice, but I'm happy with Isolda (although I use Cardas for interconnects) and can spend the money on some more bass units!

I'd tend to avoid most of their other cables to be honest, Isolda is at least on a par, and Neutral Ref is lacking the warmth you seem to want.

 

Thanks for your comments, Merlin. So, can I take it that GC is warm and cuddly (and good) and that the GR is warm and fast (and better) and that anything else Cardas isn't worth changing the Isolda for? Also, IYO would puting a couple of Cardas ICs in make the Isolda sound warmer?

Alex

PS WM

 

Alex,
Pm Robbo he's been trialing a pair of GR I/c's in his system, he'll be able to give you the low down on the effect

 

Alex,

The problem is cables are soooo system dependent that it is essential that you try them in your setup.

Cardas seem to be held in high regard throughout both the audio and music industry so I guess they are doing something right. For me, they provide a level of subtlety that most don't, along with natural warmth and body.

Robbo didn't get on with them, but then he may well be listening for different characteristics, plus he already has a delightfully warm sounding system courtesy of the valves.

You can only really suck it and see with any of these cables, those that radically enthuse about one i/c or speaker cable are really missing the point or trying to sell you something IMHO.

In this case, you asked for added warmth, and Cardas is the only construction I know that virtually guarantees that in most setups. They truly excel at inner detail, something that matters a great deal to me, but not to others who post here. So again, personal preference.

I know you are familiar with WM's faves, so to put my comments into some kind of perspective, I would say that I have found the likes of AZ and others to be mildly threadbare and harsh in the systems I have heard them in. But again, it's down to personal taste and systems - oh and of course you won't be able to tell the difference in a blind test But it's your money

 

Thanks Merlin. I've pm-ed Robbo and WM but forgot to ask where I might borrow Cardas cables in the UK - any idea?

Oh, and by the way, Isolda is rather better than DNM mains cable for speakers - its the only other thing I have lying about

 

Bill Gates? The Dalai Lama?

 

Both great visionaries Tone

Alex,

I don't reckon you'll have much luck trialling it here in the UK. It's distributed by that strange bloke at AudioFreaks, so you can count on having absolutely no help from him what so ever!

It is also unfair to waste dealers' time if you intend importing IMO. And given the ridiculous price differential between importing and getting it from Audiofreaks, it would be plain silly to line their pockets. For what? A warranty