Worth upgrading my cables?

If you’re curious about what differences/improvements you might get from better cables, I’d suggest that you pick one interconnect (maybe source to preamplifier) and try another Morrow Audio cable further up the line.  If you don’t like it or hear a difference/improvement then return it. 
 

I’ve only done a little experimenting with cables. For interconnects, I tried an Audioquest Chicago (RCA) and was impressed compared to my BJC LC-1 interconnects. I was impressed enough that I wanted to try something better and figured that moving up in an Audioquest product would be a more apples to apples comparison, so I selected the Sydney (RCA) based on design features and also the price point. It was another step up, but not as significant as the first step with the Chicago. 
 

I got a new DAC so wanted to move to a balanced interconnect so took advantage of a Black Friday sale for some Morrow Audio MA4 (XLR) interconnects. They were the level that I alway had interest in and with the sale aligned with my price point. I’ve been very happy with them and consider them better to my AQ Sydney, but they technically are close to double for retail price so they should be better. 
 

If you like the sound of your system, try moving up a few levels. You can trade in your current cables for 65% off, with little risk of them not sounding at least as good. If they end up being a worthwhile improvement then you could work towards upgrading your other cables. 

@mastering92 - My audition process is far less robust than many. When I finally pull the trigger on a product that I think may improve my system I simply hook it up and see what it sounds like. If I hear an improvement that’s awesome, but I tend to leave it in my system unless something about it doesn’t sound right, because part of my decision process for purchases is to get things that I consider to be superior so my hope is that it may have a higher ceiling with a future upgrade.  I did send a Schiit DAC back because it sounded identical to my least favorite output (it parallel solid state and tube) on my current DAC. 
 

I pretty much went Blue Jeans Cable across the board early in my audiophile journey and didn’t really dabble with cables until last year. I started with a couple of Waudio power cables for under $40 each.  The primary goal was to see if I could hear any difference in my system.  It was a clear difference for my integrated amplifier, no change on my DAC, and seemed to make my SACD player sound really bad (no idea why it had such poor results).  All of these changes were noticed immediately with the results not changing over time. 
 

The positive experience with my amplifier compelled me to dabble with interconnects. $100 AQ made a very nice improvement so I tried a $200 AQ and again notice an improvement. I was at the top of my self imposed budget so moved to digital coax cables. I picked up a $100 AQ and didn’t hear any difference so moved on to other things. 
 

I got a new DAC so wanted to shift to a balanced interconnect. I compared my $200 AQ unbalanced cable to a set of Monoprice XLR cables and really struggled to describe any significance with the AQ remaining the one I’d choose if forced. I picked up a Morrow Audio MA4 on a sale for similar money to the AQ and have found it to be a significant improvement. 
 

Most recently I tried some Micca 14 speaker cables ($60 total) and found them to be musical and easy to listen to with no brightness or glare, but found it a relief going back to my BJC cables after a couple of weeks. 
 

I find direct A/B comparisons to be confusing because I try to hard and more often than not find myself confused. I’ve had the same experience with some other changes where what you remember from A doesn’t meet reality when you do switch back.  Sometimes the improvement is so obvious that I don’t even waste the effort going back and with the speaker cables it was a relief to go back.

@mastering92 - I’ll try to accurately describe the various changes. 
 

My first real upgrade was using Mullard tubes in my Pathos amplifier.  The improvement almost defied logic because I got more detail and also a smoother presentation.  I actually wonder if it was the step that made hearing some of the other changes possible in my system.

the Waudio power cord resulted in a more natural sound that was objectively better even though I lost of the air/sparkle. 
 

The Audioquest Chicago brought back the air/sparkle while maintaining the natural sound. I was really excited about this because while the power cord made it overall better I had also lost something at the same time. 
 

The Audioquest Sydney added more clarity but maintained the same overall sound signature. 
 

The move to a Denafrips Ares II DAC took my system to another level where instrument separation, the swell and decay of notes, and a more real and natural sound was the result. 
 

The Morrow Audio MA4 balanced interconnects brought even more clarity and sparkle, but my favorite aspect is the very defined deep bass notes. Things that were previously only felt became individual notes. I’m still enjoying music like it’s all new post DAC and MA4 upgrades. 
 

I have a Pangea power cable on my DAC, but I didn’t hear any difference with it on my old DAC and have never even tried a comparison with the new one. The Pangea should be the better cord, so it stays. 

@dreas - I have have Blue Jeans Cable 10AWG speaker cables and have been very happy with them. Like you, I really like the ultrasonic welded connections.  I have not compared them anything “high end” but they seem to do pretty well. 
 

I had BJC LC-1 interconnects and found Audioquest Chicago to be better in my system. It wasn’t a subtle difference and given the price difference I’d go with AQ over BJC for unbalanced interconnects. 
 

I now have a Morrow Audio balanced interconnect and am very happy with them. Their marketing definitely is annoying. I emailed them to poke at it a bit. It’s a very intentional strategy that’s working for them. In short, people like sales so that’s the approach they have taken.  A little too much like Wilsons Leather!