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Whats more important, source cables or amp cables?

I'd like to save some time demo'ing my own system for hours and get some experts to tell me what to do. What's most important, the cable between the source and the pre-pro, or the pre-pro and the amp(s). Does it make more difference in the sound to place my better pair of XLRs before or after the pre. I have a small Krell system, DVD Std, HTS 7.1, and 2250/3250 KAVs. I asked Krell and he told me they are both important, but that didn't really help since finding another pair of Crecendos is easier said than done. I have one pair, and 2 pair of Serenades, which don't suck, but from what I've read, aren't near as good as the Crecendos.

Any help or explanations would be beneficial at this point. Thanks AGers
mbarnes928
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Since you already have the cables, why don't you try them out and see which way you like better?
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
IMO there is unfortunately no way to predict the answer to your question, in part because there are many component-dependent variables that will influence the behavior of the cables in each location. A couple of examples, among many, being the output impedances of the components, and the susceptibility of the components to ground loop effects. A "better" cable will not necessarily provide better performance in any given location, depending on how its characteristics interact with the characteristics of what it is connecting. Also, "better" performance is not always subjectively preferable.

In your specific case, though, your connections are balanced, and I suspect that the components have low output impedances. Those two factors will in general tend to reduce cable effects, everything else being equal. So the answer MIGHT be that it won't make a lot of difference either way.

Disclaimer: There are those who believe that being further upstream (closest to the source) increases the importance of the quality of a cable or component. I do not subscribe to that philosophy, my philosophy simply being that a chain is as strong as its weakest link, regardless of where that link is located.

Regards,
-- Al
mbarnes928 OP
4 posts
 
Al, I have read the same as your disclaimer for hours last night, and I tend to agree with you... The weakest link should rear it's ugly head, luckily a Serenade isn't a 25 dollar Monster cable, so although it's not as good as the Crescendo, its only a notch down.

Im just not sure where to place them for best effect. I guess unless someone has some experience with a similar system, and its too subjective at this point, there isn't much to do besides swap them in and out. I also read though that some cables can take time to recover, so A/B/A isnt the best unless I want to let it play for a day or two between sampling. I will eventually get another pair of Crescendos when I can find a deal on them, but until then Id like to maximize what I have invested.
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