How do I smooth out violins?

A number of good responses above, including your own regarding changing tubes. I have experienced some dramatic benefits from this in my system. As someone else hints at above, finding ways to lay back the sound is most desirable. I used to favor a more forward presentation, but the desire for a more relaxing, listenable sound changed that. A caveat, though, mirroring what someone else indicates above,is that some recordings of violin are too closely miked and/or poorly made, and as such might be immune to virtually any kinds of alterations in one's system. An example(at least in my experience)is David Oistrakh's performance of the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Andre Cluytens on Angel. Also, in general, I have always found the blue label Angel classical recordings to be somewhat bright. Aside from Cardas, you also might want to consider one of the lower priced Purist Audio cables,e.g.Musaeus.

That's actually a fairer deal than what I offered, but there's always Juan Uribe!

"...in reality, I think everyone uses cables somewhat to 'tune in' a collection of equipment to suit their personal musical tastes...In the end, I feel that many of us generally arrive at the same destination, though we take many different paths to get there. Since there is no one single cable that everyone agrees is perfectly neutral, I feel that such an animal, a "perfectly neutral cable", does not exist. Therefore we are all tuning to some extent."

I am in complete in agreement with you, John.

Hi John! I'm doin' just fine, thanks...And after all the dough they spent, Dem Bums had better do fine too. It's been far too long since they've looked like championship material. How 'bout if you and I negotiate a trade right now here on Audiogon? You give me and the Dodgers Cole Hamels and I'll give you and the Phils Aaron Harang (LOL)

Otherwise, I sincerely hope you're feeling fit and all is well with your family too...And here's to looking forward to a stellar season for the both of us.