Changing out some or all cables???

Early B.

I'm considering changing out interconnects in my 2-channel system. Do I need to change out both sets of cables (CD player to pre and amps to pre) at the same time or is it sufficient to just change out the cables running from the CD player to the preamp?

danger boy

good question.

i faced this a while back too. wasn't happy with the sound i was getting so i changed one out. from pre to amp. then changed from CD to pre.. it was to much of a good think. it was to bright. so i switched back the IC from the CD to the pre. happy again

Tour2ma

I'd try all the combinations, but start with a listen to what you have been running. Then make one change at a time until you've been through them all.

Make some notes along the way. Acoustic memory is very short-lived...

O'Shag

Early B, your faced with the same dilemma as I methinks, the question of whether improving just one signal path will improve the sound, or if its more practical to go with the 'as good as the weakest link' rule.
Dangerboy brings up a really important point that gives me pause for thought, its a little more complex than just changing out everything - what about component synergies?

Going through and testing each iteration of change seems to be the most sensible approach, because of individual component characteristics and synergies. But more and more I'm subscribing to the opinion that the system is only as good as its weakest link. EE Bah gum, but this audio business is money pit.:cool:

HBombToo

I started with my pre to amp then changed out the cd to pre.

AQ Diamondback between the pre and amp and AQ Copperhead beteen DAC and pre and XLR RCS Prime from transport to dac.

HBomb

O'Shag

HBomb,

Could you describe the sonic characteristics of the AQ Diamonbacks and Copperhead as compared with cables you may have had previously? I've been thinking about AQ, but they're expensive. I would fork out for them if I were sure they would make a significant improvement. I'm also looking for an XLR balanced interconnect, whats your experience with the one your using?

Early B.

Had a friend come over today to check out the system. He brought his Kimber PBJ's, so we did a listen to my Bluejeans, then to the PBJ's. We both noticed that the Kimbers had a little more detail. BTW -- we only had time to hook them up between the CD player and the pre.

Damn, now that I've heard my system sound better, I gotta pursue changing out my cables. I'm thinking I'll get more bang for the buck by starting here (CD player and pre), then moving to the monoblocks. Gotta do it in phases, you know. $$ is always a factor.

HBombToo

O'Shag
I am the furthest guy from truely understanding how to properly explain sound and its peceptions and I am way to pragmatic but the forum nudged me into the cable abyss.

all that said I do the best I can to explain my peception.

First with the XLR: I demo'd a few for the digital stream. AQ, RCS and some exotic name I can't even recall and probably never will. IMHO from a digital connection I believe the xlr to be superior in every respect to coax or optical. Tip, Ring and drain is all ya need to not impose jitter. You always run the risk of emi if your not carefull but in most audio cases no big deal imo. all that aside the RCS prime was "FREE" so that was my pick. was there a difference??? not that I could tell.

as far as interconnects I was a RS gold rca guy for years. why did I change??? This forum drove me so I took the plunge

I do believe there is a noticable difference between interconnects but depending on your system the benefits will vary. A couple of exotics from a friend(way out of my price range) were jumbled around along with AQ Cobras to start and listened to. The exotics and the Cobras did the same thing for my set up... I noticed a delicate accuracy on the highs that I never heard with the RS product. Also the bass responce seemed to tighten up. I then went to the local KC shop to buy the Cobras and they had a pair of Diamondbacks for borrow. I took them home and heard the same thing. I'm always up for the cheap way out I guess. For my settup I heard the difference more so from the pre to the amp vrs the dac to the pre. I'm not sure why but it is what it is I guess. I used the pair of sidewinders that I received from steveinaz untill I did another WTF and jumped on the copperheads. After I replace the sidewinders with the copperheads I got a little more accuracy but not much. I still use the sidewinders between the fm receiver and amp and IMHO they do just fine.

Since the Diamond backs made a good change on my 2 channel I figured it was time to get ride of the RS on my HT rig. I was not going to drop the coin for Diamondbacks so I took the Copperheads for a test run. After a few days on the HT rig I noticed the same accuracy as on my 2 channel so I left it at that.

I hope I did not go over board here but baby step yourself into cables kicking and screaming and you'll never feal as though you have blown huge coin on nothing.

HBomb

O'Shag

HBomb,

Many thanks. Really helpful info, and I like your stepped approach.

I really want to try out the Copperheads and Diamond Backs. Certainly couldn't afford to run them throughout the whole system and as Early B says, it has to be done bit by bit to make it affordable.

Early B - interesting that you found the Kimbers really good. I should give those a listen also.

Tour2ma

O'Shag...

You really need to check out doro's evil plan to ensnare us all in cables...
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14424

dcarlson

If you can muster a little extra the Kimber Hero's are an excellent interconnect that's well worth $.

O'Shag

Tour,

Thats a very interesting project. I'm still working my way through the thread and all the reviews to digest the information. Its seems like this is a great forum that everyone can come together to get such a project of the ground.


D,

I'll check in to the Kimber Hero's also. Its worth checking out as many optons as possible to narrow down to the ideal choice. I'm zeroing in on these mfrs; Audioquest, QED, Kimber, Cardas. Challenge is trying to find quality for a a $ amount that I can afford. If I can find the right choice for about $100 or thereabouts per pair I think that would work (will have to get 6 pairs of interconnects).

dcarlson

Keep an eye out on audiogon. Cables are usually MUCH cheaper used and if you don't like them, you can sell them back for about the same price.