Which interconnect cable to upgrade first

OP

Thanks for reporting back. Great to hear your comments. Very thoughtful and well written, good job.

Yeah, that is why there are so many brands of interconnects. Why, most of use end up keeping a few… The next upgrade, you’ll want to be able to swap in a couple known interconnects. As I upgraded equipment, I actually went back to some of my first purchases, as at first I bought the most neutral I could find, but they did not sound good. Over time you learn what some house brand sounds like and you can predict what kind will sound good (after decades).

@xcool 

I completely agree with SDL4. We’re they broken in? I have a lot of experience with Cardas, and am still scratching my head on your experience with them.

Thank you for giving us the update.
 

I skimmed the string again. you have great equipment, but… Long term, I think you would benefit moving to tubed equipment. I am an Audio Research fan myself… but ideally what you want (I was finally able to get there… income had much to do with it) is components that perfectly reflect the tonal balance of your tastes… then choosing completely transparent interconnects becomes the objective.  I have worked with many of my systems just like you are.  But after forty years at working at it… I finally got all high end tube equipment and they sound simply spectacular… I got rid of all the Cardas… it has a slant to warm side and always suppresses the details. Good in most systems. 
 

Maybe when you get some time go listen to a Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, VAC, or Cary tube system and see if they are not fundamentally more in line with your tastes.

@decooney 

Probably. You want your components to perfectly reflect the sound you want, then upgrade your cables, interconnects, and power cords… tweak your audio space/ Then enjoy, until your next upgrade cycle.

I would do streamer first, then preamp. 

What equipment do you have?

@xcool.  “Lumin T2 -> Parasound JC2 -> Parasound JC5 ”
 

Nice, elegant well chosen components. It is nice to see a system like this. Given the equipment I would go for neutral with ever so slight touch of warmth. I would give a consideration to Cardas Clear Reflection. I think that is in the price range. You can never 100% know the result of an interconnect but to me this would have just a touch of warmth and coziness to the sound.