here we go... most cables fall into 2 camps.
there is the "fast" camp that has great imaging, bass, and speed ( xlo comes to mind)
there is the "warm" camp that is lush,bloom, and no image specificty and no detail(ie cardas)
may want to try changing out 1 set of interconnects.
recently picked up a pair of wireworld eclipse 5.and they are really a great midrange ic that is ever so lightly lush on the vocals and very good extension on the extemes and images extremly well
i use them with xlo signiture II ( very neutral "fast" cable imo) and form a great synergy together.
cable interactions within a system are individually based and goal is find a synergestic combination that is to your liking.
cables have basic sonic fingerprint, and depending on your gear, speakers, room,and listening taste may or may not work. that is why you need to audition cables in your system and with differnt combinations. stop by the local shop and try to get as many cables as you can and do your own comparison..you might be surprised to find out what combination works best.
i.e i always use to use the same interconnect between cd to pre and pre to amp. i tried the xlo signiture II between pre to amp and differnt ic between cd to pre and have been amazed by the results.. i have not found a better cable than the xlo signiture II between my ar ls-12 and pse studio v's. and when i tried another pair between cd to pre ( it was too lean in the midrange)i have tried numerous other ic between cd to pre and have ended up with the wireworld eclipse 5.
i have tried ALOT of cardas products ( cross, golden cross, hex golden 5c, hex 5, and neutral) and they are a very colored ( overly lush ) with the exception of the neutral ( too much siblence in my system).and when i used 2 pair, it was too much warmth, lask of detail, and imaging...dont get me wrong i have heard cardas cables sound very nice in other systems...but not mine.
what i have found is all cables have a "sonic signiture" and when used together ( more than once) it really magnifies that "paticular" sonic signiture.
think about it, the signal is amplified 3 times through 3 sets of cables.( i am not including power cables...that is a differnt discussion..they are just as important as ic or speaker cables in a high resolution system..imo anyway)
the type of sound you are looking for is difficult..(speed and lush are too differnt camps).i have recently added some wireworld products in my system and am very pleased ( i am not affilaited with wireworld or a audio shop.. i am a pharmaceutical rep). they are revealing but not bright and have a midrange "richness" that works really well in my all solid state system ( also added a wireworld power cable and was very pleased by the results)
hope that helps!!!
mike