Porter,
I've been using the BJC LC-1 for a few months because I thought it would be a good benchmark for a relatively budget interconnect.
I then purchased the DIY Cable kit, a 1 meter pr. Part of the desire was to get practice soldering something. I know that if I had to build it again, my solder job would be better!
To my ears, the DIY kit far outperforms the LC-1. It's hard to describe, but I get the feeling that with the LC-1 that the music is in some way compressed - Almost like only so much info can get through, and if some new info comes along and becomes prominent, that some other info must necessarily be compromised. But with the DIY kit, when a prominent sound is in the foreground, the other sounds are not changed or compromised. I can't explain, but this is the feeling I get. It reminds me of Louis Armstrong's trumpet - When he goes up high, he still has the great tone and feel - Like he doesn't sacrifice his tone just because he's up in register. That may just sound like the stupidest thing ever, but these are the impressions I get and try to put into words.
The difference between these cables may be more in the terminations than in the wire. The Cardas of the DIY have a much different feel than the BJC, and while I'm loath to extrapolate sound quality based on what feels like a "richer, more solid etc." piece, I just think that the ends might be a significant factor in the sound, one way or another.
I also like the way the DIY kit has a fuller sound than my Tara RSC Reference II's. In my system it gives more body which it needs.
Hope this helps a little. Maybe get both and move them to components best suited to each.
-Mike
