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Cables Galore Speaker cables, Interconnects & Power cords

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Old 11-01-2017, 12:53 AM
Mouse Mouse is offline
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Default Which cables provided the best sound upgrade?

Which cables provided the best sound upgrade in your system in order from best to least noticeable? Not brand (even though I'm curious), but what type of cable?

Power, XLR interconnect, RCA, speaker, hdmi, usb, cat5/6, etc.
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Old 11-01-2017, 12:55 AM
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Commonly, the hierarchical benefits go like this (most to least):

Power
Speaker
Interconnects

That's assuming you have addressed your power -- power is numero uno critical in laying the foundation to the entire system.

Best Sir,

Bob
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Preamp:VAC Master Preamplifier (Silver Flake)
Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver)
Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's.
Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Valhalla TA cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974).
Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf.
Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia in Argento Silver/Black grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit.
Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock.
Power Distribution Bar:Shunyata Everest 8000 w/Omega XC Power Cable.
Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers.
Speaker Cables:3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts.
Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps.
Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110 ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC.
Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital
Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax
Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA.
RCM: Audio Desk PRO
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Old 11-01-2017, 03:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
Commonly, the hierarchical benefits go like this (most to least):

Power
Speaker
Interconnects

That's assuming you have addressed your power -- power is numero uno critical in laying the foundation to the entire system.

Best Sir,

Bob
Yes, that is true, power cables are the most important.
Without them, your system can not work [emoji2].
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Old 11-01-2017, 10:44 AM
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Audiophilehi Audiophilehi is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
Commonly, the hierarchical benefits go like this (most to least):

Power
Speaker
Interconnects

That's assuming you have addressed your power -- power is numero uno critical in laying the foundation to the entire system.

Best Sir,

Bob

+1
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Speakers: Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary MK II Front L/R, LCR-35 Center, VR-1 Rear L/R Sub: JL Audio F113
Amps: PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Mono, McIntosh MC207 Pre-Amp PS Audio BHK Signature and Gold Note PH-10 Phono Stage/PSU-10 Power Supply
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Tape Deck Otari 5050B II2
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SSP: Marantz AV8801 Cables: Wireworld Electra 7 (P) Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7, Shunyata Delta NR (I) Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7 (S)
Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (USB)
AC Power Regeneration: PS Audio DirectStream P15 Power Plant and Shunyata Denali 6000s V2.
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Old 11-01-2017, 11:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
Commonly, the hierarchical benefits go like this (most to least):

Power
Speaker
Interconnects

That's assuming you have addressed your power -- power is numero uno critical in laying the foundation to the entire system.

Best Sir,

Bob
I Agree, just replaced 5 power cables and heard a substantial improvement.

Dave
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Old 11-02-2017, 06:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
Commonly, the hierarchical benefits go like this (most to least):

Power
Speaker
Interconnects

That's assuming you have addressed your power -- power is numero uno critical in laying the foundation to the entire system.

Best Sir,

Bob
+1 for me as well. Swapping a power cable on my source or preamp ALONE shifts the system sound profoundly. For me, the more upstream you go with high quality power cables the more of a difference it makes.

I agree speaker cables too make a lot of difference, but not as much as power cables.
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Analog Source: Rega RP10
Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3
Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming
Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2
Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205
Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7)
Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA
Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet
Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA
Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades
Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs)
Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets
Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels
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Old 11-02-2017, 07:00 PM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ylee View Post
+1 for me as well. Swapping a power cable on my source or preamp ALONE shifts the system sound profoundly. For me, the more upstream you go with high quality power cables the more of a difference it makes.

I agree speaker cables too make a lot of difference, but not as much as power cables.
Definitely!
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Old 11-02-2017, 07:12 PM
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Old 11-02-2017, 07:25 PM
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I have developed a simple formula for audiophiles to follow to calculate and predict the result of any audio system tweak (cables included)

"R" is the Result.
"B" is bling factor.
"E" expectation
"$" is self explanatory.

Formula is very simply B+$^+E=R
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  #10  
Old 11-01-2017, 03:46 AM
joey_v joey_v is offline
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I thought speaker then power then xlr.... that was my experience with AQ Wels.
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