jimboman
Where are you on your XLR search? Did you make a purchase?
Happy Listening!
Cable upgrades
Happy Holidays to all!
I’m reconfiguring my system and am interested in upgrading my interconnects and possibly my speaker cables, and I was wondering if you could make some recommendations.
I was running Audio Sensibility Impact SE XLR between my Benchmark DAC3 HGC (as a DAC/pre) and my Benchmark AHB2 power amp. The amp is running bi-wired Kimber Cable 8TC (I think that’s the model #) to a pair of ATC SCM40 tower speakers. In this setup the bass is tight and the mids are clean - overall I’m quite happy - but sometimes I feel, for my ears, I’d love a bit more openness / brightness in the higher end.
My questions are: would improved XLR interconnects help to open up the top end a bit, without being harsh, and perhaps increase the dimensionality of the soundstage? Or would I be better off starting with upgrading the speaker cables? I’ve been looking at the Cardas Parsec level of cable, and could perhaps stretch to the Clear line, pending your recommendations.
Also, one other question: pending the possible move to 2 AHB2s (in mono-block configuration), do both XLR interconnects have to be the same length? If not, would it cause any timing issues between, say, a 2' XLR and a 6'?
I’d appreciate any guidance. Many thanks in advance.
Best, JAMES
- ...
- 137 posts total
No need, he’s messed with it all, seen it all, heard it all, and decided to buy/lease his own mining operation to source some of the best copper in the world. Less known that many come to him for his copper, and use it in their cables, with more than a few manufacturers others mentioned here a lot lately on Agon too. Sold off my last four pairs of OCC high end cables to new owners last year. Nice but nowhere near the level of some of my best Cardas Clear line stuff. A different league that is. |
@jimboman it was great to read they did reterminate yours for you while they were there being serviced and certified. I had a few pairs of the older Golden Cross ICs done the same way, with the new solderless method - with compression connectors. The result is not meant to be an overly-forward -or- ridiculously expansive type of sound and presentation. It’s just "there" in front of you, in a nice way. After the cables are left in place connected, undisturbed, It will be interesting to see what you think at the 30-day point. Best of Luck on the journey 👍 |
Thanks @decooney I’m not sure exactly what Cardas did, but they certainly went above and beyond the minimum. The cables definitely sound better than before their factory visit. I’m giving them overnight cycles, and they are connected and will stay in place, as you suggested, for 30 days before I make a decision. At this point, I would categorize their sound exactly as you did — not overly forward, just ‘there’. We’ll see how that evolves over time. Best, JAMES |
- 137 posts total