Cable upgrades
Happy Holidays to all!
I’m reconfiguring my system and am interested in upgrading my interconnects and possibly my speaker cables, and I was wondering if you could make some recommendations.
I was running Audio Sensibility Impact SE XLR between my Benchmark DAC3 HGC (as a DAC/pre) and my Benchmark AHB2 power amp. The amp is running bi-wired Kimber Cable 8TC (I think that’s the model #) to a pair of ATC SCM40 tower speakers. In this setup the bass is tight and the mids are clean - overall I’m quite happy - but sometimes I feel, for my ears, I’d love a bit more openness / brightness in the higher end.
My questions are: would improved XLR interconnects help to open up the top end a bit, without being harsh, and perhaps increase the dimensionality of the soundstage? Or would I be better off starting with upgrading the speaker cables? I’ve been looking at the Cardas Parsec level of cable, and could perhaps stretch to the Clear line, pending your recommendations.
Also, one other question: pending the possible move to 2 AHB2s (in mono-block configuration), do both XLR interconnects have to be the same length? If not, would it cause any timing issues between, say, a 2' XLR and a 6'?
I’d appreciate any guidance. Many thanks in advance.
Best, JAMES
Thanks @soix Will keep an eye out for Triode Labs. As I’m in the frosty north, not sure I can take advantage of the in-home trial? I was considering the Audience and XLO PCs mostly as a low-cost decent entry point — and they’re currently available from audio connexion (local company) at a discounted price (although not returnable without a restocking fee) best, JAMES |
@soix I’m demoing the Neotech MkIIIs this weekend. First impressions out of the box — nice cable, slight shift towards brighter side, but seems a touch less mid/low bass slam. Not sure yet, giving them 50+ hours before any serious decision-making — but at the moment, in my system, I’m leaning more in the direction of the MKIs (which are all OCC copper, as opposed to 20%silver coating W MKIIIs) But time will tell! best, JAMES |
Hi all: Cardas has confirmed that the cables are authentic Cardas cables. They also did 'Test, clean and repair the mid/low bass attenuated signal.', so it will be interesting to see if I hear any improvement, in my system, when they are delivered. I figure, worse-case scenario, I can resell them with confidence, and hopefully recoup most/all of my costs to go through this process. Best, JAMES.
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On another cable-related note, given the relative level of my system components, I'm wondering if there is a target price-range that I should be aiming for in my cable upgrade quest? The system is: Luminary's U2 to Benchmark DAC3 HGC to Benchmark AHB2 amp, to ATC SCM40 speakers. (I should also note, that the AHB2 is fed by a dedicated 20A 3-wire 10-gauge circuit, and the Lumin/DAC3 are plugged into a PS Audio Duet) I'm curious what @ghdprentice @decooney @soix , and of course, @audphile1 would have to say. :-) Seems every manufacturer has a range of product, and it seems part of the task to untangle all the options, is to match the relative levels of all components in the system... Is there a general rule of thumb worth following? Thanks in advance for all advice. Best, JAMES. |
