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Seeking informed recommendations for power cables and interconnects

I made some recent component upgrades and am seeking recommendations for upgrades to my stock power cables and interconnects (currently Blue Jean Cable). I am not looking for a particular sound or effect, but rather an improvement over what I have now. I am a novice without experience swapping cables so any advice is welcomed. I understand this is an issue of contention, but I am open-minded and would like to hear positive recommendations, and not arguments against cable upgrading (I am familiar with this position).

My system consists of:
  • Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II integrated amplifier
  • Merrill Super12 Polytable turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
  • OPPO UDP-203 digital player
  • Vandersteen 2CE speakers
  • Furman IT-Reference 15i power conditioner
I am running into a dedicated AC line into a Porter Port outlet. I assume that the power cord from the outlet to the Furman would not need upgrading since it is being "conditioned" (I could be wrong).

What would be the recommended priority for upgrades (power cord (1st) vs. interconnect (2nd)? What brands are recommended. I want to limit the budget for both power cords and interconnects to $500 a piece.

Thanks in advance.

arturos73
arturos73 OP
38 posts
 
Thanks for the advice thus far everyone, very helpful.

(Although I’m a little uncertain concerning your use of the word "hybrid" in referring to it; is your phono stage a different configuration than what is shown at the link, which is described as having an all tube signal path?).

The Budgie Hybrid was an upgrade to the original Budgie with JFETS for boosted gain.

Budgie Hybrid stats:
SpecificationsTubes: Two matched 6922 Electro-Harmonix tubes (included)
Gain: 46dB (suitable for HOMC, MM and MI carts with at least 1mV output)Input Impedance: 47K, adjustable
Output Impedance: 600 ohmRIAA Accuracy: +/-0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
Distortion: less than 0.1% at 1kHz with 15mVrms input SNR: 84dBA with 5mV input
Overload: Minimum headroom of 100mVrms at 1kHzWarranty: Two year
Power: 7W
Input Voltage: 100 to 240VAC with external 12VDC supply (included w/ EU or OZ adapters free upon request)Weight: 2.5 lbs
Size: 7.75”L x 5.5”W x 4.5”H

Also, the lower 600 ohm output impedance is due to going with an active RIAA eq circuit, so driving long RCA interconnects or low input impedance devices won't cause high frequency roll-off.

almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
OK, good! So the design of the hybrid version reduced the 6K output impedance of the all tube version to 600 ohms.

That being the case, your guess is as good as mine as to what to focus on first. But if any of the interconnects are particularly long that would tend to warrant increased focus, IMO.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al
japanjim
8 posts
 
Buy the most expensive cables you cannot afford.  Then you can join the collective bunch of audiophiles who end up reassuring each other on their purchases.
sbrownnw
707 posts
 
I use Mogami 2549 in all my RCAs with either KLEI copper harmony or furutech 126g RCAs with ground floated / shotgunned at one end. See my system details. I’ve tried many power conditioners as I have some DC on the line and every one killed dynamics including PS Audio humbusters, power plants, furman and DYI. The only one that didn’t is the emotiva CMX-2. I use Mogami speaker cables also plus a porter port on a dedicated line. Like how the copper cables mesh with my Audio Refinement (YBA) gear, especially with my modified RP6 / Jasmine analog front end and ProAc Studio 148s. And I use signal cable magic power cable on all source components. I have yet to find a reasonably priced power cable that matches my Audio Refinement amp. 
kearney
4 posts
 
I vote transparent. Very good sound very transparent.

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