2. cables
  3. 190639-3884

Upgrade Interconnects/Cables or…?

At 71 years of age, I have two possible upgrades I’d like to perform. After that I’m done, except for the usual tweaks (i.e., tubes, isolation, etc.). I’m very happy with the system I’ve built over the years, and it fits my room (medium), and the sound I’ve been after has been realized. I am guilty of concentrating on the main components of my system, and not paying much attention to what connects them. And, I’m in the hunt to upgrade my line stage…Maybe? So, what to do first, and perhaps I can hold off on the second option entirely? My budget is under $6,000 for either one.

I’m still an analog guy, even though I do have a DAC, Streamer, and NAS. My concentration here is for my phono playback. My interconnects and cables are old, but even so, each time I’ve upgraded a main component I have heard definite and sometimes significant improvement. Whenever I purchased interconnects/cables in the past, they were always decent ones at the time.

Option 1 - I’m looking at replacing the following interconnects/cables for my phono playback…

Turntable, Arm, Cartridge: Upgraded TW Acustic Raven, Ortofon RS 309D, Ortofon Verismo

               Current Phono Cable: Cardas Cross

Phono Stage: Tron Seven with the Reference caps

               Current Interconnect to Line Stage: Cardas Cross Reference

Line Stage: Boulder L3AE and recently upgraded the caps by Boulder

               Current Interconnect to Amps: Crystal Piccolo

Amps: TW Acustic 300B Monoblocks

               Current Speaker Cable: WireWorld Silver (original)

Option 2 - My system is fully unbalanced, so when considering a line stage, I don’t want to pay extra for designs that benefit from using the balanced side when I won’t be using that. One consideration for replacing my Boulder, is the Audible Illusions L3B.

So, which option might you choose if you could only choose one? And, what might you go with?

Thanks,

Kenny

kennythekey

Showing 5 responses by soix

soix
10,244 posts
 

Maybe, do the cables?

Yeah, when I tried the Cross in my system they sounded veiled so I’d think moving to something more transparent would better reveal a sense of openness and space that you’re looking for without necessarily having to give up anything in tonality or musicality. Can’t comment on your other cables as I’m not familiar with them, but I’d think even just replacing the Cross alone could be very beneficial and maybe all you need. What’s your budget, and would you look for new or used?

soix
10,244 posts
 

Glad to hear, and goodonya for giving it another shot!  A lot of people use these Herbies Gliders to facilitate moving their speakers, and many also report improvements in sound as well.  They’re not very expensive, and you can return them if they don’t work out so well worth a look I’d think.

https://herbiesaudiolab.com/products/threaded-stud-glider

soix
10,244 posts
 

I’d still try pulling the speakers a few feet into the room and see if it yields any improvement in the areas you’re interested in.  You didn’t say if you’ve tried that. 

soix
10,244 posts
 

I want to fill my room more, so around me…my primary objective is to open my front to back soundstage and possibly improve upon what I’ve already have.

I don’t think it’s possible to achieve what you’re looking for with your speakers placed as they are and counter to how they’re designed to work without corners, and throwing $$$ at cables or equipment probably won’t help much either because you’re just fighting an uphill battle against physics.  If you haven’t already, I’d try pulling the speakers 3 feet out into the room just to see what happens (hey, it’s free right?), and I suspect that alone will give you a lot of what you’re looking for.  If your speakers sound poor being pulled further into the room then my only suggestion is to get new speakers that will work better in your room and can give you more of what you’re looking for or just live with what you have given the room/placement issues.  Sorry, I don’t mean to be negative but neither do I want to see anyone throw potentially big $$$ into new/different equipment that likely can’t fix what looks to be mainly a compromised room/speaker situation.  In any event, best of luck in achieving what you’re looking for.

soix
10,244 posts
 

That’s a lot of great information, but what’s really needed is what specific type of improvements you’re looking for.  I’ll just say off the top that Cardas makes some really fine cables, but I tried the Cross in my system years ago and from what I remember they don’t belong in your system no matter what else you decide to change.  Just one initial thought. 

More to discover