New speaker cables recommendations sought

Ordered! $338/pair, free shipping.

AZ Satori too “forceful?”  A cable too forceful???  I got nuthin’.  Best of luck. 

@grannyring  suggested Zavfino OCC Nova cables. They look pretty good and I’m probably going to go for it.  Anyone else have experience with this product?

I recently moved to Cardas Clear Reflection with my Gryphon Diablo 300.  This was in similar pursuit of the  characteristics you state are the basis of your inquiry. Highly recommended, but even used they required about 75 hours to settle after being coiled up for shipment.  

Teh Chucksta - Try to send a message to this ebayer: 

lucasoundvision on eBay

I bought some van damm speaker cables from him. But i don't know why, but I just found out he seems to not be carrying them anymore in his store. Maybe you just need to hit him up and order from him. I bought a pair of Van Damme Hi-Fi Series LC-OFC 2x6mm Speaker Cables 2x3m -Terminated. Just tell him which ones you are after and he could probably make it, he makes them.

If you need van damm interconnects hit up: 

bc4brian on eBay

For branded cables be aware that some high current solid state amp designs can go into an oscillation state when used with speaker cables having a very high capacitance, which can result in damage to the internal circuits

I have witnessed this with Ayre and Gryphon amps when using the TOTL Cardas cables, such as the Clear and Clear Beyond cables.

Both amps had to be repaired and were out of commission for a couple of months.

Unfortunately, Cardas no longer posts the metrics for their cables.

Fortunately their lower level cables do not have the extreme levels of capacitance as the Clear (@ 278 pf pf/ft) and Clear Beyond.

Having said all of that, there are some people that report no problems with high end Cardas cables on high current solid state designs, but that does not mean their amps are NOT oscillating, it just means the threshold has not been exceeded. They could also be using very short cables

The oscillations occur above the audible spectrum, so there is no audible warning as to when the threshold is about to be breached.

Maybe something to be considered - Steve

I would use the Duelund 12 gauge Polycast. Cost is low and they are even warmer than the cloth version.  Use bare wire for connections. Cost under $100.  

@audiowav I’d like to audition the van damme cables but there’s only 1 dealership in the US, and they don’t appear to offer much more the the blues. I created saved searches on Audiogon and eBay, maybe will get lucky there.

@grannyring I read some of your comments in other discussions, wondering if the 16 gauge Duelund might be better suited. I think for the price, I might be more inclined towards DC’d Cardas cables…but thanks.

Duelund  12 gauge or Western Electric 10 gauge speaker cables DIY. Warm and full bodied with big stage size.  Music presented with a nice sense of ease and natural flow.  Can be made for under $350 DIY..  I have made many dozens of these. 

Gold cross are really warm. I used a set for many years. Very warm.

@twoleftears Just auditioned AZ Satori cables. Didn’t like them, too…forceful?  I think you may be right about Cardas though.

@ghdprentice Thanks. Got saved searches on 2 DC’d models: Golden Cross & Ref.

look up van damme cables they say they are really good budget speakers. That don't cost nearly as much as budget cables but are used in high fancy places for their use. I dont know how much is true but look it up for yourself.

Budget?

Acoustic Zen would be worth looking at as well as Cardas.

Wireworld is more middle-of-the-road but inclining in the directions you mention.

I would say you are describing Cardas. Which model would depend on exactly the characteristics you want. I would recommend used… bring down the cost by half. I would think Clear Reflection would be what you are looking for. They are not cheap, but a good set of cables can be appropriate for several upgrades provided you do not change the whole paradigm of the system. I had the same set of Cardas in my system for 20 years, then got about 1/2 the new cost back when I traded them in.