integrated amp - jumper between preamp and amp


I have a McIntosh MA8950 integrated amp with stock jumpers connecting the preamp and amp. Is there any consensus on the sonic benefit of replacing the stock jumper with an aftermarket one (e.g., AudioQuest)?

jrdavisphd

@easystreamer and @dynacohum your comments are very helpful, as in fact are all comments in this thread. I miss the Dynaco components I assembled as a teen. Despite my respect for McIntosh engineers, may try a pair of RCA cables before venturing to explore the silver rod idea that would, at least, match my aged hair.

Boutique Parts' are primarily associated with their cost, as a result of low-volume production, hence, a notable markup is charged as the sale price.

Other components, which are the common selection, will be from a much increased production volume; hence, the cost per unit is much lower. 

My experience is that a change to a component's value will create a notable change in the end sound being assessed. Whereas swapping out like-for-like component values has proved to me to offer very little in end sound change as a result.    

Anything you think you hear would be a placebo effect.  Think of it this way, those jumpers are quite a large gauge of metal, connecting the preamp and the amp boards inside.  They are much larger than the traces on the circuit boards they are connecting.  Essentially, the 2 small traces on those boards were moved outside the chassis and severed.  Then those large u-shaped jumpers were installed to connect them.  Those jumpers are also much, much larger than a RCA jumper that you could install there.  The wire gauge inside most all RCA's is tiny.  Possibly smaller than the traces on the boards.

If you do change them, before doing so tag them, L-R channel, jumper placement and direction of flow, generally perceiceived left to right should it be needed, that way, when you put them back they sound right.

A 125mm cable should be enough to know if an improvement is available, I found a pair on Aliexpress for $10, which would do the job

Interesting topic, I would have thought not.  However different cables between my individual preamp and power amp do make a difference in the sound quality. Out of 4 or 5 cables I have tried there is a clear winner among them that gives the best sound.  
Maybe worth a try for those with jumper included integrated amps.