Which interconnect cable to upgrade first

xcool,  Thanks for the update on your cable search. Your experience reinforces the reason why it is so important to try out different cables in your own system to see what works best for your equipment and listening preferences.

I'm a bit baffled why the Clear Reflection ICs sounded bright and thin between your preamp and amp since I've never heard the CRs sound that way and those aren't descriptions typically given to CR cables. The bottom line, though, is that you were able to find some Kimber Cables that match your system well, and that's all that really matters.

I have extensive experience with Cardas Clear Reflection XLRs, and I support the excellent suggestions from @thyname and @ghdprentice. There is also a long and enthusiastic review of a full loom of Cardas CR on the Steve Huff Photo website. 

I currently use CR XLRs between my DAC and preamp and between my preamp and power amps. The CR has a beautiful midrange and is extended on both the top and bottom without sounding harsh or fatiguing. It provides a hint of warmth, but it also provides the clarity and detail that is heard in the newer Cardas cables in the Clear line. It's a wonderful cable! 

I upgraded to the CR after extended use of the Cardas Parsec XLR. The Parsec is a very good cable, but compared to the CR it sounds a little softer and less transparent. Until I got a second CR XLR, I used the Parsec between my preamp and amp. I experimented with using the Parsec between the DAC and preamp, but I preferred the sound of the CR between DAC and preamp because it presented more characteristics of the better cable.

I would also second thyname's comments about the Zavfino Fusion XLR, which is in a similar price range to the Cardas Parsec. I wouldn't call the Fusion a warm cable, but it's not especially cool-sounding either. I guess it could be described as fairly neutral, but it has a naturalness and purity that is very seductive. I'm just starting to listen to a "not-yet-broken-in" Fusion because I want to move my amps closer to my speakers and need a 5m XLR to do this; unfortunately, a 5m Clear Reflection is very expensive, so a 5m Fusion may turn out to be an effective cost-benefit compromise for me.

Best of luck in your search!