Best place to insert a new higher end cable in my system?

I like the early in the chain thought, makes huge sense, and likely true. Also agree to let it  settle, very true. Also system dependent. Too much fun. Audioquest, great mid cable and maybe above? Of course get some basics first, which for me is 85 to 90% of the the way to a total system. Not saying I am there. Ok, 84.

To clarify, when we say source are you all saying try with a particular source or my most used source like my Sony HAP server/streamer?
 

AQ seems to be a polarizing brand but they’ve served me well. I will say that I bought two sets of Nordost speaker cables recently (upgraded from one to another) and noticed an improvement in sound with both pairs over a pair of older AQ speaker cables I had, so open to trying other brands that offer a definite ROI. 

I've had more impact pre to amp, but let's not pee on each other's shoes. Try both!

I would suggest moving up from AQ though.

Audio is fun!😁

@bfoura Its a fairly easy listening test to try in reverse.  Put your worst cable first at your source, and your best cable between your preamp < > amplifier. Try it for a week, then swap.  See if you notice an improved sound with the best cable first.  Its a test some of us do comparing OFC to OCC copper or silver over copper ICs. The swaps and results are much more noticeable on well matched systems.   

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I will certainly start from my source to my preamp and go from there. I had done searches before on best type of IC to use from your amp and couldn’t find anything conclusive but from this thread it appears, in most cases, the best IC to use, is the best one you have. Looking forward to giving it a shot. 

Source by far made the biggest improvement for me.

-Alex

Ivor Tiefenbrun rides again!

@decooney seems correct. If the source is diminished by that first connection, what good is the rest?

 I have to agree with @decooney ​​.

Whatever you do let it settle, It takes time. Best scenario would be having the same between source-preamp-power.

+1 on preamp to amp. You don’t want the lower level interconnects to be the bottleneck. But experiment and see what you like best. 

Congratulations on getting a great IC!
Preamp to amp would be where I’d put it.

Let us know your results.

JD

Just try all places and use your ears but my guess is from pre to amp

+1 to what @akg_ca said. Start here with the first source. And the next best cable at your second preferred source is one approach. Try this for a while, then swap these two and compare again. And/or put your second best between your preamp <> amp. Then swap these with your best source, and compare again. While I don’t do this, a few colleagues prefer their best interconnect between preamp <> amp. Its very system dependent and one configuration may not relate to another’s system. Try all, listen carefully, and take your time over a few weeks, not just in hours or minutes.

Agree to start with source to pre but it will also depend on how good the interconnect is that it’s replacing so pre to amp definitely worth trying too.  Cables are a crapshoot and you never know til you try.  Best of luck. 

Source output to pre-amp input.