interconnect question

pmckeealaska
pmckeealaska Posts: 808
edited March 2005 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm waiting on some AQ Diamonback interconnects from the cable swap program and have a quesiton about hooking them up. Should I concentrate on the connection between my reciever/pre-amp and my amp or the connections from the pre-amp to the DVD/CD player? Since I'm only getting a single pair to play with, I wanted to know which areas people concentrate on while testing new cables.
Music and Movie Rig

Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
LSi25 Front Speakers
LSiC Center Channel
LSiFX Surrounds
Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
NAD T763 Reciever
Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
Playstation 3 120GB Slim
Post edited by pmckeealaska on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2005
    Is there any way you can hook the DVD straight to the amp? It would be better, if you don't have a choice, to go from source to pre/receiver if you can't hook directly to the amp; your goal is to limit the varibles as much as possible--but its not always practical.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2005
    Try it both ways and see if it makes a difference. It usually does.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2005
    When comparing interconnects I always use a Denon stereo receiver for the very reason that steveinaz mentioned. Unless you have two sets of the same interconnects it is hard to tell where the differences are coming from when using a source, pre, amp combo.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited March 2005
    Forgive the neophyte question, but don't you need to have the DVD player connected to the pre-amp in order to play music? Would I be able to play music by connecting the DVD player directly to the amo and bypassing the reciever/pre-amp? Hope I'm not being confusing.
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2005
    You can connect a source directly to your amp provided either your amp or your source has an output control (volume/level adjustment). Of course make sure the volume is all the way down before hitting the play button....essentially you're using your output knob as a volume knob.

    The reason I recommend this, is that you'll only have 1 set of interconnects in the chain, and it's easier to evaluate any changes/improvements.

    You could also simply connect your speakers to your receivers speaker outs (therefore bypassing the amp all together), connect the source with the interconnect your evaluating, and be good to go as well.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited March 2005
    Just to state the obvious (everyone needs a hobby), if you take you pre-amp out of the equation, you have to baseline listen with your usual interconnects...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter