Interconnect recommendations

op

your current system is quite nicely assembled

you have gotten a lot of input already (maybe too much as it is)

I would suggest two things

1. remove the bhk tube pre from the system and replace with an equivalent level solid state pre ... I think the perceived system clarity will increase quite a bit, although there will be some tradeoffs involved, I.e. some recordings may sound harsher/crisper

2. try a 5v linear power supply on the qutest in place of its factory smps...  I feel it improves the sound some

your cables are fine, but you can mess with some silver or silver blend cables if you want a little more sheen on the treble and upper mids

good luck

signaforce OP

I am admittedly an newbie to high end audio. Over the course of this thread, your responses have completely changed my strategy.

It’s taken me only 10+ years to dial in my system for ’my ears’ and ’my room’.  I thought that buying a battery-operated tube DAC would help hasten the process.   It did and it didn’t.  It showed me the potential.  The journey has been a fun learning experience. 

@knownothing @jjss49 I have the Sbooster mkll plus the ultra upgrade running at 6v (extra volt required for the Ultra). My system sounds very nice.
The RCA cable upgrade from DAC to pre & XLR from pre to amp was my intention at the start of this thread. Thought about the distortion from my BHK tubes, but will stand pat on that. Thanks!

@signaforce you have a nice system. I looked at the Holo Spring KTE 3 when last DAC shopping, and while I am bringing an information water pistol to an opinion war with AI, I’m not sure the Spring is a huge lift from the Qutest with the hot-rodded Sbooster and some decent RCA cables.  The Holo May would be a noticeable improvement, so I would save your money for that or similar level DAC upgrade.  In the meantime, if the used Level 7.3 Anticables are still available, you can’t go wrong with the improvement for the Qutest for under $300, and I think those cables wouldn’t embarass themselves when you upgrade DACs as a bridge solution while you search for your final cable destination.  They would definitely offer an improvement over the Mogami’s you’re currently using.

kn

I am absolutely doing the DAC first. The question then becomes which is next: expensive interconnects or amp replacement with lesser or my current interconnects? Which would be the greater impact. My guess is DAC, then amp, but there are greater minds than me out there.

Personally, and this is dependent on budget constraints, after the DAC I’d do a trial of something like Fidelium or Veritas interconnects/cables to see if there’s a significant improvement.  Rationale is if they give you a significant improvement it’s probably a big % of what you’d get by spending a lot more on pricier cables, and if that allows you to then upgrade to something like the Coda that’d be your bigger overall impact than more expensive cables (there I agree with the AI recommendation).  Plus, if you don’t realize a significant improvement with those cables you can feel comfortable/confident staying with your current cables for now and move on to the amp.  That’s what I’d do if both expensive cables and a new amp are out of your current budget — FWIW.