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Where to put the better cable.

Here's the scenario: CD > Preamp > Amp - that's two pairs of interconnects required. One pair is much better quality than the other, so where should the better quality cables go? CD > Preamp or Preamp > Amp ? I'm talking in general here. Of course the best thing to do would be to try it both ways and listen, but there must be a rule of thumb about this.

RLW
phydeaux
mejames
986 posts
 
I agree try both ways
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Obviously, (though I would go cdp to pre/ always the source) no clear cut answer here. Let the ole tympanics decide for you. They'll never steer you wrong...peace, warren
timo's avatar
timo
610 posts
 
It doesn't matter a whole lot. Remember, your system is only as good as its weakest link.
subaruguru
1,375 posts
 
Try both ways, but if the lower "quality" (whatever that means) cable is really junk than you're better off NOT using it at all, and at least substituting a known inexpensive reference IC for comparisons. An easy wnner here is the $20 Canare StarQuad mic cable the pro recording engineers use. Try TWO of them, substituting your "better" cable in each place sequentially. Try to have a buddy help you for a single-blind setup, so you don't confuse cost with "quality", as you put it. Cheers.
s23chang
619 posts
 
Timo is correct. It doesn't really matter where you put it and it will always be your weakest link.
IMHO, always use the cleanest, best imaging, sound stage, and full freq response on your source ( Pretty much the best cable you can get ) and swap around the preamp to amp cable for your listening preference.
Remember, if it sounds bad from the source then it will just get amplify to a greater degree from preamp to amp.
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