adg101,
thanks for the suggestions. I borrowed a pair of standard xlr cables from a friend. They are from a music store (instrument shop). They says ROHS on the side. Anyway, demoed rca vs xlr and xlr is SO MUCH BETTER. Holy cow! Anyway, there is a guy selling Madrigal CZ gel 1 XLR's near me. Would they be a good match? Since the 383 and f30's are the same family too, I'm thinking there may be some matching synergy there? Also, would the 840 benefit from using it with a Furman Elite 15i power conditioner?