If you've got Accuphase, don't cheap out on the IC; beg borrow or steal a few different (hopefully already broken in) and experiment. Your ears are used to the Heros, but don't let that "comfort level" stop you from trying something else.
(20 year old) 1.0 meter Kimber hero xlr and Audioquest diamondback xlr cables
I have been using my 1.0 meter Kimber hero xlr cables for 15-20 years. Have them hooked up between my Accuphase E5000 and PS Audio digital link III dac and they sound good. Just found my old pair of 1.0 meter Audioquest diamondback xlr cables and tried them for a week. The Audioquest have a nice treble and warmer sound with less bass to them. I was shocked to hear the difference. The Kimber have more heft and bass to the sound, which I like better, but like the warmer more treble sound of the audioquest. I never thought 1.0 meter xlr interconnect cables could sound so different. The question is, can I get an xlr with the warmer sweeter sounding treble and the more heft in the bass? Is there a cable out there in the $200-$300 range for a pair that you guys could recommend? I like a certain sound from each of these cables I tried.
IDK if this sounds crazy and I can't believe the sound difference between the cables. I have always had the Kimber hero xlr in my older classe" system and now the new Accuphase E5000 integrated, both with the PS audio digital link III dac.