Thanks for the quick reply, openhelix. Since your friend got his cables from a cooperative dealer and the Mapleshades are only available online I kind of doubt it. Anyone can read about them at http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/goldenhelixspeakercable.php; I would be more skeptical about their claims if I hadn't found their Ultrathin digital cable (see http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/ultrathindigitalinterconnects.php) really does perform as stated: a real stepup in cleanness especially for the highs, but terribly fragile. Their maple bases and other stuff require more space and fanaticism than I've got but it's the cables that interest me.