Warmth and dynamic range; complete lack of electronic sound

None, really

This is the easiest cable to listen to I have ever used. There is absolutely no sense of an electronic source for the music. A very warm, clear, natural sound, with wide but natural dynamics. Straightwire Crescendo, which I still use as speaker cable, and still think is excellent, has slightly wider dynamics, and is slightly more detailed, especially in the higher treble or deeper bass, but can sound a bit "canned" on some recordings, particularly digital. I especially like Golden Reference in conjunction with a length of Cardas Neutral Reference as phono cable (see separate review of latter).

Similar Products Used:

Balanced Straightwire Crescendo, Monster Sigma Reference

Very believable images, balamce - it just sound RIGHT!

none

Open and detailed, but never fatiguingly so. The images and sounstage are rock solid, palpable and believable. Vocals are deliciously portrayed. Plays well on all kinds of music. In my solid state system, the combination of the Golden Reference (b/w pre-amp) with a run of golden cross (b/w cd and peamp) made real magic!

Other cables may do one thing or another better: nordost is moret ransparent, and sounstage is wider - but also thinner sounding and less "real" sounding. Forget about the Tara. Wirewold sounded thin to me, and lacked the focus - though it was really quiet and transparent. The GR/GC combo was the overall most musically satisfying and "natural" soundiing I have ever heard. No hype, just music

Anyway - try a rin of this fine cable (maybe in combo with a run of Golden Cross as I did) you will not be dissapointed!

Similar Products Used:

many many: tara, Wireworld, Nordost, NBS, Chord, XLO

very natural

non until now

This interconnection perform the tranmission of electical signal very natural, balance, focus with strong clarity, and open. You will hear piano as piano, and the voice of Diana Krall (Love Scenes, Impulse) and Jacintha (A tribute to Ben) sound very natural with enough power and clarity. Taralabs cables is more transparant but it is not natural, because they do not have power and clarity in midrange, especially in the human voice range. So if you are audio enthusiast, and you want a natural sound, this is the cable you should choose and enjoy the music.

Similar Products Used:

Taralabs, MonsterCable, Madrigal CZ1, Wireworld

I recently replace the Two balance interconnect with Cardas' Golden Reference. I have to say the GR beats the Two in every aspect for a much lower price. I can only say the Two has more AIRY feeling than cardas. The Golden Reference does not sound warm as the golden cross. It is a very neutral cable with high definition.

The Golden Reference interconnect is an excellent cable. Its a faster and more airy cable than the Golden Cross. It is substantially more resolute than the Golden Cross. However, its not as warm sounding as the Golden Cross. The Golden Reference sounds like a mixture of Neutral Reference and Golden Cross. It's also reasonably price compared to other cable manufacturers top of the line cables.

This is a really great cable. The Golden Reference replaced the Audiotruth Lapis X3 in my system. These cables TAKE A LONG LONG TIME to break in. Once they are broken in, they are spectacular. Very transparent and neutral.
I also use the Golden Cross in my system. I will have to disagree with other reviewers saying that the Golden Cross has a added warmth in the midrange. This does not happen if you really give the cables enough time to break in. After about 250 hours of playing time the golden cross does make the sound slight warmer but give them another 200 hours or so the extra warmth disappeared. Both the Golden reference and Golden cross are great cables. I would have give them 10 speakers rating if I could.

None

A very musical and neutral interconnects that improve everything! Highly Recommend

Similar Products Used:

Audioquest, Kimber KCAG,

Currently, I have both the Cardas Golden Reference and the Golden Cross. They are both excellent cables with difference strength. The golden reference seem to have a very slightly lower noise level with a slightly darker background comparing to the Golden Cross. The Golden Cross on the other hand has a very slightly more robust bass. I like them both. They are better than Audiotruth Lapis X3 that I used to have in my system. Without using the Cardas cable I would not have realized that the Lapis has a very slight emphasis in the lower treble and upper midrange. Both of the cardas cable also allow the upper bass to blossom (the Lapis makes this region thinner). The music also seems to be harmonically richer and has the proper weight to it (both of these are missing from the Lapis). Neverthelss, I would still consider the Lapis to be a good cable. It is just that the Cardas Golden Cross and the Golden Reference are BETTER. If you are in the process of upgrading your cable or considering buying new cable, you are making a big mistake without giving these two Cardas cables an audition in your system. I will give them both 5 stars.

System:

Muse Model 8 transport, Muse 296 D/A converter, CAT SL-1 Ultimate, Krell FBP 200 and Thiel 2.3. PS Audio power plant P-300. Upgrade power cables from ESP essence and Synergistic Reference AC Master Coupler.

Wonderful warmth, midrange clarity with no electronic feel or "edge"

None

Same comments as I made with regard to balanced interconnects. I recently changed speakers, from B & W 808's to Egglestonworks Andras, which I love (see review). The Golden Reference speaker cables added a bit of warmth and resonance to the Andras' midrange and midbass. This is a wonderful cable in every form I have tried, although for phono cable I preferred Cardas Neutral Reference.

Similar Products Used:

Straightwire Crescendo, MIT