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Upgrade Interconnects/Cables or…?

At 71 years of age, I have two possible upgrades I’d like to perform. After that I’m done, except for the usual tweaks (i.e., tubes, isolation, etc.). I’m very happy with the system I’ve built over the years, and it fits my room (medium), and the sound I’ve been after has been realized. I am guilty of concentrating on the main components of my system, and not paying much attention to what connects them. And, I’m in the hunt to upgrade my line stage…Maybe? So, what to do first, and perhaps I can hold off on the second option entirely? My budget is under $6,000 for either one.

I’m still an analog guy, even though I do have a DAC, Streamer, and NAS. My concentration here is for my phono playback. My interconnects and cables are old, but even so, each time I’ve upgraded a main component I have heard definite and sometimes significant improvement. Whenever I purchased interconnects/cables in the past, they were always decent ones at the time.

Option 1 - I’m looking at replacing the following interconnects/cables for my phono playback…

Turntable, Arm, Cartridge: Upgraded TW Acustic Raven, Ortofon RS 309D, Ortofon Verismo

               Current Phono Cable: Cardas Cross

Phono Stage: Tron Seven with the Reference caps

               Current Interconnect to Line Stage: Cardas Cross Reference

Line Stage: Boulder L3AE and recently upgraded the caps by Boulder

               Current Interconnect to Amps: Crystal Piccolo

Amps: TW Acustic 300B Monoblocks

               Current Speaker Cable: WireWorld Silver (original)

Option 2 - My system is fully unbalanced, so when considering a line stage, I don’t want to pay extra for designs that benefit from using the balanced side when I won’t be using that. One consideration for replacing my Boulder, is the Audible Illusions L3B.

So, which option might you choose if you could only choose one? And, what might you go with?

Thanks,

Kenny

kennythekey
soix
9,456 posts
 

That’s a lot of great information, but what’s really needed is what specific type of improvements you’re looking for.  I’ll just say off the top that Cardas makes some really fine cables, but I tried the Cross in my system years ago and from what I remember they don’t belong in your system no matter what else you decide to change.  Just one initial thought. 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
443 posts
 

Your system resembles mine in the fact that I also have 4 different interconnects wink Have you played around with their placement in your system? 

You don’t mention power cables, and in my experience these can have a greater effect than interconnects. For others with more experience than I to comment what are they?

kennythekey OP
593 posts
 

soix,

You make a great point about the improvements I’m looking for!

To summarize my sound, it’s relaxed, laid back, very detailed, and open. Authentic to the recording as it is revealing, is the best way for me to describe it in my space. So, what am I missing, or what am I looking for? Obviously, I don’t want to lose anything I already have. For my medium size room, I have a huge left and right soundstage with decent depth. Of course, I would wish to improve what I first summarized. However, to be more specific, there’s a significant amount of air within the soundstage as described. I would like to open that up more towards me. For example, when playing a live small venue recording (e.g., Bill Evans at Town Hall), I want to fill my room more, so around me. My problem, is I don’t know if the recording has it, or is the limitation on my side? Maybe, a recommendation of a recording that provides what I’m looking for from someone who has achieved this, would benefit me and answer this question. Otherwise, my primary objective is to open my front to back soundstage and possibly improve upon what I’ve already have.

Thank you

Kenny

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