Which interconnect cable to upgrade first

Hi, I just want to circle back and post an update to this thread.   I ended up trying 3 XLR cables:  Kimber Carbon, Kimber Select KS-1116, and Cardas Clear Reflection.  I didn't try the Zavfino Fusion because they were out of the XLR version at the time.

I ruled out Kimber Carbon after a few weeks.  It's not a bad cable, it has a bigger soundstage than my Hero, but it is also a tad brighter in the high end, which is not what I want.

As with the Kimber Select, I find it sounds very close to the Hero on the Source to Preamp link.  The Select is a little bit more forward, and a tad warmer.   Soundstage is about the same.  I can't say I hear a big improvement over the Hero.  It confirmed for me that the Hero is a very good cable at its price.    I then tried the Select between my Preamp and Power Amp.  Wow, I was immediately impressed with the extra bass and warmth coming from the Select.  That really sealed the deal for me.

As with the Cardas Clear Reflection, I like it quite a bit on the Source to Preamp link.  It sounds very spacious and projects a bigger soundstage.  Bass is not as deep and prominent as the Kimber Select.  Nice details on the high end but with a tiny bit of brightness occasionally.   Not as warm sounding as the Kimber Select, which I found it surprising because most comments I read about Cardas cables tend to state they are warm sounding.   I then tried the CR between my Preamp and Power Amp, and I really did not like how it sounded.   I sounded bright and thin.

At the end, I decided to buy another pair of Kimber Select and replaced both Source to Preamp, and Preamp to Power Amp links.   I still have the Cardas CR, and still deciding if I should keep it.  I really wanted to like the CR, it's not a bad cable at all, and  I got it at a great price for an open box demo from Music Direct.   Just that it my case, the Kimber Select satisfies the 2 goals that I set out to achieve:  warmth and bass, although not much improvement on the soundstage.  Another question that this exercise answers for me is that, the upgrade between the Preamp and Power Amp makes a bigger impact in my system.

Anyway,  hope this helps and thanks to everyone's help on this thread.

Thanks @thyname Appreciate your comment.   This forum has helped me a lot.  I had bought so many components based on the suggestions and comments I found here.   It's my pleasure to be able to contribute and give back whenever I can.   

Thanks again.

Thanks @sdl4 I was surprised by the sound of the CR between my preamp and power amp also. I really did like the CR between my source and the preamp. It was very spacious with nice details. You are right that every system is different and everyone has different preferences. At the end the Kimber just worked out better in my setup.   I'm still considering keeping the CR just to give myself some varieties.

Thanks again for your help!

Hey @ghdprentice I remember running the cables 24 hrs straight for 4 or 5 days from my source to my preamp.   The preamp was off when I wasn't listening.

I did like a few things about the cable between my source and preamp.  Very spacious and details.  I did wish I can hear a little more bass,  and a bit warmer.   From what I understand, the Clear Reflection is supposed to have the warmth of the typical Cardas cable with extra details from their Clear line up.

Curious about your experience with Cardas.   Thanks!

Hey @ghdprentice @sdl4 and @thyname I thought I would give you guys one more update.   I went back to listen to the Cardas Clear Reflection again this past weekend, and it really sounded wonderful!   I love the spaciousness and soundstage of this cable.  It actually sounds warmer now than before, and the bass is also very decent.   The only thing that would be a negative for me is that it can occasionally sound a little bit bright to me, probably because it actually has more details than the Kimber Select.   I'm ultra sensitive to bright sound, and owning a pair of B&W speakers can add to the challenge.

Anyway, I'm definitely keeping both the CR and the KS.   They both have their own strengths and weaknesses.   I wish I can find a cable that combines the strengths of these 2 cables.   That will be another project in the future.   For now I'm happy to have them both in my collection.  😀

Thanks everyone's help on this topic again!

Hey @ghdprentice ​​​​@decooney , thanks for the suggestions!   I've been thinking about tube preamp for some time, I might give it a try one day.    

Thanks. Right now i’m using the same brand/model cables for both links. They are Kimber Kable Hero’s. They are actually not bad for it’s price. i was considering going up the chain to the Select or Carbon line, or possibly another brand like Cardas. i’m hoping to improve the soundstage and warm up the sound a tiny bit.

Anyone had made similar upgrade before? would like your opinions on these cables if you do.

Thanks.

looking for better soundstage and a tiny bit warmer sound without top end harshness.

thanks @soix I’ll take a look.  

@ghdprentice here’s my setup:

Lumin T2 -> Parasound JC2 -> Parasound JC5 

Thanks @jdub39 there has been a $500 price drop on the JC2 on every online dealer.  Maybe it’s time to get yourself a holiday gift 😀

I wonder if there will be new update on JC2  coming soon.  JC2 has been out for quite a while now.  

Thanks @sdl4 for your first hand experience on Clear Reflection.  Very helpful indeed!

thanks @ghdprentice ​​​​@thyname the Kimber Select KS-1116 and Cardas Clear Reflection are both on my short list to try.  

i’ve not heard of Zavfino, but might do a little research on them.

I’ll be looking at XLR connectors. 

Thanks again.