Hello
i didn’t read everyone’s post but I would agree with starting with clean power : independent power aka home runs if possible with good quality wall outlets ( I use the porter ports )
CABLES make a difference BUT that doesn’t automatically mean that the sound will be better or and more importantly that you will enjoy the sound better. Some experimentation is needed !
I approach a cable from the perspective of not wanting it... So in it goes and then I’ll listen with music that I’m very familiar with and usually I can tell immediately if it’s something I might want. I will give it a chance and let my ears adjust but again I hoping I won’t like and then won’t need to buy it...
If you are struggling to hear a difference then effectively there’s no difference. And sometimes a cable will effect the sound that makes somethings better and some things worse - like more detail at the expense of some musicality etc. It always boils down to what YOU Like.
BUT Then every once in a while you try something and your jaw drops...Those OMG Moments when the improvement is so significant that you won’t want to take the cable out.
Having said all that
I wouldn’t expect cabling to be as significant as a component change. You mentioned using a HT Receiver as a power amp with a separate pre
Receiver’s are amazing in all they accomplish in one box BUT there not really designed to be used that way. And it’s very difficult to get a HT system to be as good as a separate 2 channel system for music.
But that is a different discussion...
Bottom line
Cables make a difference / Trust your ears and your taste !! Don’t fall into the trap of using cables to correct a mismatch or something like that. Experiment !! And hopefully get to a place where you won’t feel the need to experiment............... at least for a while lol
i didn’t read everyone’s post but I would agree with starting with clean power : independent power aka home runs if possible with good quality wall outlets ( I use the porter ports )
CABLES make a difference BUT that doesn’t automatically mean that the sound will be better or and more importantly that you will enjoy the sound better. Some experimentation is needed !
I approach a cable from the perspective of not wanting it... So in it goes and then I’ll listen with music that I’m very familiar with and usually I can tell immediately if it’s something I might want. I will give it a chance and let my ears adjust but again I hoping I won’t like and then won’t need to buy it...
If you are struggling to hear a difference then effectively there’s no difference. And sometimes a cable will effect the sound that makes somethings better and some things worse - like more detail at the expense of some musicality etc. It always boils down to what YOU Like.
BUT Then every once in a while you try something and your jaw drops...Those OMG Moments when the improvement is so significant that you won’t want to take the cable out.
Having said all that
I wouldn’t expect cabling to be as significant as a component change. You mentioned using a HT Receiver as a power amp with a separate pre
Receiver’s are amazing in all they accomplish in one box BUT there not really designed to be used that way. And it’s very difficult to get a HT system to be as good as a separate 2 channel system for music.
But that is a different discussion...
Bottom line
Cables make a difference / Trust your ears and your taste !! Don’t fall into the trap of using cables to correct a mismatch or something like that. Experiment !! And hopefully get to a place where you won’t feel the need to experiment............... at least for a while lol