if you had my system and $2,000 budgeted for an upgrade, where would you spend it?

agree on get rid of the Cardas. If you go with Transparent, their general upgrade recommendation order is source to pre, speaker cable, pre to amp.  Though often a good deal determines the order...

Marktomaras 02-04-2016 10:40pm
Would it make sense / make a difference to change only one to start with, or would I need to change all (save for the sub)?

What would be the order of importance in these connections to effect the most change?

amp - preamp
preamp - phono pre
preamp - dac
preamp - subwoofer

Lowrider57 02-05-2016 2:12am
... there are no rules on where to start; ARC preamp to ARC amp may result in the most dramatic change in sonics. Start with one cable change to see you like the sonic signature.

+1 to Lowrider’s comment.

Also, I wouldn’t discount the importance of the sub cable. For example, its capacitance will affect the signals received by the main power amp just as much as the capacitance of the cable connecting the preamp to the power amp, since both capacitances load the output of the preamp. Also, capacitance is proportional to length, and it appears that the sub cable is the longest of the interconnect cables in your setup. Finally, cable characteristics can affect ground loop issues, which can manifest themselves in ways that are more subtle than the low frequency hum they are most commonly associated with (see no. 3 below). And the possibility of a ground loop issue involving the sub, preamp, and power amp that are interconnected would seem conceivable.

Regarding order of importance, consistent with Lowrider’s comment I don’t think there is much predictability. But FWIW the following factors will work in the direction of increasing the criticality of an interconnect:

1)Higher output impedance of the component driving the cable. In this case that would probably point to the outputs of the preamp.

2)Longer cable length. Nearly all interconnect cable effects are proportional to length.

3)Susceptibility of the particular components to ground loop issues, which is generally not predictable. I’ll mention, though, that in a recent thread here there was an example of a significant sonic issue that turned out to be caused by a ground loop between a CD player and a preamp. The symptoms in that case did NOT involve hum or audible noise.

4)Use of unbalanced rather than balanced cables. Not applicable in this case.

It is common among audiophiles to consider upstream cables, starting with those connecting the outputs of the source, to be more critical than downstream cables. As you can see from the foregoing, I am not a believer in that philosophy.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Speajers!!!! You need full range speakers. Your system is great, but you meed speakers. For well under $2000, you can pick up B&W 803 Matrix Series 2 and subs. I have experimented with these for years and they are hard to beat with the right subs. I have totally in phase subs rom B&W DM 16 when they were the top B&W speaker, just before the 801. \
Series 2 or 3 802 don't need subs for around $2000.
 If you are not a B&W fan, at least get three way speakers that will take some power. 

mark-

you have a few nice products by Shunyata. Did you try/demo Shunyata
cables prior to the Cardas?  If so, Transparent cables are a sonic match for ARC gear. Visit a dealer/retailer soon.

Keep me posted & Happy Listening!

You have a wonderful system.

I have no doubt that various incremental changes could make slight improvements for a couple of grand more.

All these suggestions pale however, compared to the one change you must make.

Upgrade your PerfectWave DAC II with the DirectStream DAC kit from PS Audio.

True, it will cost $3K instead of $2K.

But it after it burns in you will begin to realize something amazing.

Everything you heard before on your system was lacking.

And the DirectStream has completely transformed your enjoyment of music.

Beyond all expectation.