Cable upgrades

On another cable-related note, given the relative level of my system components, I'm wondering if there is a target price-range that I should be aiming for in my cable upgrade quest?

The system is: Luminary's U2 to Benchmark DAC3 HGC to Benchmark AHB2 amp, to ATC SCM40 speakers.  (I should also note, that the AHB2 is fed by a dedicated 20A 3-wire 10-gauge circuit, and the Lumin/DAC3 are plugged into a PS Audio Duet)

I'm curious what @ghdprentice @decooney  @soix , and of course, @audphile1  would have to say.  :-)

Seems every manufacturer has a range of product, and it seems part of the task to untangle all the options, is to match the relative levels of all components in the system...  Is there a general rule of thumb worth following?  

Thanks in advance for all advice.

Best, JAMES.

James…wait for the Cardas to come back. See how you like them and go from there.
I’ll be 100% honest - I am not a fan of benchmark sound. It’s not bad by any means. It just never draws me in. I always think I’m missing a tube component somewhere in the chain.
As far as cables are concerned….I had Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper with the benchmark 3 hgc in my system and thought it was a good combination. I would also recommend checking out AZ Matrix Ref II. I would not recommend AZ Silver Ref between DAC 3 and amp. It might be a bit much.
What I’m thinking though, since you have Kimber speaker cables, why not try Kimber XLRs. The silver/copper hybrid are really good cables. Seek out a used pair of Kimber KS1126.
Nordost Norse line is worth looking into as well.
All boils down to synergy.

I just read this sad thread where a bunch of people who had never heard they OPs system, seen the cables, or heard the cables convinced him to try to return them and then suspect they were counterfeit because they didn't sound right.  Please apologise to the fellow for all the trouble you've caused him.

The original seller was right.  You buy cables and if you don't like them, resell them.  I do it all the time.  Not a big deal. 

Jerry

@carlsbad2  Definitely a cautionary tale, for sure.  I’m glad the OP didn’t make any identifying information public!  And, you’re right, an apology is definitely warranted.

Navigating this whole cable thing is not for the faint of heart!

Best, JAMES

@jimboman JAMES, you did the right thing sending the cables to Cardas.

1. Validated authenticity, for yourself, the prior seller, and any future buyers.

2. Cardas "repaired the mid/low bass attenuated signal" for you. Issues resolved.

3. Re-evaluate them after the repair, over 30 days, and decide from there.

Beware of counterfeits, see the Cardas website for more information.