Initial disappointment with 1st set of “expensive’ IC’s...

@jl1ny,
25+ year Cardas cable owner of several generations. None of my brand new (coiled-up-in box or bag with mechanical tension) Interconnects sounded good at first, ever. Most sounded kinda strange new. Same situation with my better Cardas and my Analysis Plus OCC cables. Set ’em up, and let them rest and RELAX in place for 14-30 days, with no movement at all. None. Use and play them as much as you can while waiting.

Report back in 30 days to let us know if you hear any changes or not. When you get frustrated passing time, read this link below.

http://www.cardas.com/insights_break_in.php

@dletch2
So if the Cardas wire is so good and superior, why does it need an authenticity card? Shouldn’t it be obvious? :-)

"Superior", that’s up to your ears. No, not "obvious" to an untrained eye and unknowing buyer. It’s an actual serial numbered cable and registered library with Cardas for repairs, warranty, and re-termination of ends if necessary. Some owners keep them for 20+ years, and buyers want to know they are authentic too. Send them back to Cardas to authenticate if someone is uncertain and needs help. :-(

FAKE COUNTERFEIT imposter cables are out there.  Watch out! Idiots make them and uninformed people buy them thinking they got a deal. And, yes, it becomes very "obvious" when fakes sound like crap. Buyer Beware!
They are one of the most counterfeited cables out there. See all the links and articles with photos below. 

counterfeit:
https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/11056052_10156892349565131_9067457819617729795_...

counterfeit:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/archive/audio_visits/43-1.jpg

counterfeit:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/archive/audio_visits/43-2.jpg

counterfiet:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/archive/audio_visits/43-3.jpg

counterfeit:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/archive/audio_visits/43-4.jpg

counterfeit:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/archive/audio_visits/43-5.jpg

counterfeit:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/archive/audio_visits/43-6.jpg

Cardas verification, Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CardasAudio/photos/we’re-often-asked-to-verify/10156892349565131/

Article by Element Acoustics in CA:
http://www.element-acoustics.ca/audio_visits.php?aid=43

Best of Luck

@dletch2 "Interconnects are usually a few 100 pF tops."

What interconnect cables are you referring to?

16pF - 26pF max capacitance is the range for many of the IC cables I've owned or evaluated for manufacturers over the past two decades. Includes Cardas, Audioquest, Apature, Audio Note, Analysis Plus, Belden, customs, and others. Many of the cables at 26pF tended to be a little more rolled off on top end frequency.  Interested to know what is usually "a few hundred 100 pF" for regular home audio use in your case.

@dletch2

Yes, [pF] picofarad per/foot standard measurement is what I was referring to. A typical 3.0 ft interconnect cable on the higher side at 26pF per foot results close to 78pF in total, and an 8ft 26pF interconnect would be closer to a few hundred pF as I understand it.  

Back to the original question and all other values aside (or what someone can or not hear,) what cables are you measuring or referring to would be "usually a few 100 pF"? Are they 8-10’ foot interconnects?

@jl1ny
+1 what paulcreed said. Those who’ve owned several pairs of different Cardas ICs over decades, know.

The comments about movement are spot on too. Once I tried a backwards test experiment, coiled up and re-boxed a pair of my better well-used Cardas ICs, let them sit that way in the box for 30 days. Did this while evaluating other ICS, [Belden 8402s with Switchcraft connectors by the way]. Went back and uncoiled them, plugged them in for 14 days. Re-played those same Cardas ICs at day-1, then played them again a day-14. Once the cable and wire inside is much more relaxed, with little to no tension, they do transform to sound more open, more transparent, and that strange focused midrange spike at center stage goes away. Other aspects of texture picks up too. Had to try it to prove it and believe it. Started as a skeptic long ago, and became a believer later.

While there is controversy by some about actual burn-in, I can share in every case with Cardas ICs [owned several pairs], they sounded different at Day 30-45 than what they sounded like originally new at day 1-7.

I thought it was bad with Cardas having to wait to settle 30-45 days, geez my Analysis Plus Crystal Solos with OCC copper took 3x as long, almost gave up a few times. Never thought it would get there. Finally did.
Had one pair fully settled in and two other brand new pairs. Compared all three sets. Give it time before drawing conclusions. And, BTW; had new Belden 8402s with Switchcraft ends, they were okay, neutral yet kinda grainy at times. Worth about the $89/pair I paid for them. Resold.

Results will vary one cable to the next. This is how CableCo came up with their "Lending Library" https://www.thecableco.com/lending-library service offering. They also maintain a knowledge base for reference.