not surprising. I have found some higher-end component wires and cables do provide the improvement others don’t and all that matters is what my ears and brain conclude I tried a couple of VERY expensive Shunyata power conditioners purchased used but with original MSRP’s in the many thousands and ran a proper dedicated 20 amp line terminated in a Shunyata wall outlet I found that both the high-end devices made the sound thinner, and brighter and it sure wasn’t my Ayre Integrated Hub or Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III’s (or Naim streamer!) ALL noted for their smoothness. Then I went to the entry-level Venom power strip. Sound was and is great Depth, soundstage, overall balance, and timber all wonderful. I did add an expensive Shunyata Sigma interconnect for the Naim streamer rca out to the AYRE-integrated, very happy with that. Added some sharper detail and and more vivid experience without adding any harshness. Also I have a $1000 Lapzuli Reference headphone cable VERY good with the Focal Utopia’s which can get a little bright in upper mid, but with a ZMF Verite can make it a little bit lifeless albeit still wonderful So...no way to know in YOUR set up till you try Buy it used sell it if it doesn’t please you try something else. The actual components and your ears will really change the outcome IMO. We all try to read lots of opinions to attempt to reduce the number of wasted round trips (buy then sell) and that can help narrow the field but you never know till you plug it in
Shunyata Venom RCA vs Bluesound Node 2i stock rca
Has anyone noticed a worthwhile improvement in sound quality by upgrading the rca cables with a Bluesound Node 2i? I compared Shunyata Venom rca with the rca cable that came with the Node 2i and to my ears the stock rca cable sounded better with my stereo. I have the Node 2i connected to a 1986 Denon DRA-25 with Blue Jeans speaker cables through 1986 Klipsch kg2 bookshelf speakers. The only other component I’m using is a Monster Cable HTS 1600 Home Theater Reference Power Center. It sounds good. But I’m curious to know what would be the next step towards a worthwhile investment in sound quality. I’m streaming TIDAL through ROON from a 2013 iMac over Wifi. Thanks.