Hi Tim, you hae a valid concern... That is why I would never recommend an old Shunyata VX series cord: its FeSi pellets floating inside it had a kind of caramelizing effect on music... Both in terms of micro-detail and micro-dynamics. Conversely, recent Shunyata series, and Z-tron in particular, exhibit none of those problems. aRather, they block very high frequency hash incoming from the AC mains, and outgoing to the AC. The result is great frequency extension, and a natural flow of micro detail and dynamics... And an utterly involving music experience free of unnatural artifacts.
Nordost Valhalla 2 uses completely different technology/architecture, yet they exhibit results that are perfectly congruent with my goldilockian ideal of delivering all the music with a plethora of complete dynamics and inner detail... And fear not: Valhalla 2 does not create any transient excesses, ghost intermodulation in the treble region, frequency non-linearities, or other bizarre artifacts.
I have not had the opportunity of testing Cardas Clear and Clear beyond yet, but my initial impressions at RMAF were very positive.
Saluti, Guido
, yet musical results