Is it extra gain or two matched cables or both that improve the sound ?


When I route the signal from phono to deck and then to integrated I get overall better fuller sound than when doing it normally from phono to integrated.
System: Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm/Goldring 1042 cartridge; Acoustech phono, Nakamichi 682ZX deck, Redgum 120 RGi integrated; Michael Green Revolution 80i speakers. Cables - Purist Audio; Colossus ferox from phono, Maximus ferox from deck, Colossus fluid to speakers.
I tried it all three ways - from phono to integrated with Colossus, from phono to integrated with Maximus, and from phono to deck with Colossus plus from deck to integrated with Maximus.
When I run it thru deck I do lose some resolution, especially in high frequences, compared to running directly with Colossus, but I gain more weight and better balance in sound. Now, Colossus is silver or almost entirely silver cable, Maximus is a mostly copper alloy.
The deck's output is set at or near max, I use input recording level as a volume control. Amp's volume control is set at 9, and I don't usually touch it - no need.
Grado has 6.5 mv output, Acoustech's gain is set at 46db, I think. No idea of the Redgum's preamp gain setting.
So, overall the best sound is achieved when running phono/Colossus/deck/Maximus chain. Second best - phono/Maximus. Third best - phono/Colossus.
It does appear that those excellent Purist cables compliment each other. I talked to Jim, Purist's designer, about the cables, and he said yeah, Colossus has higher resolution but Maximus gives richer sound.
But I think that may not be all, the deck does something too. And what if I don't have enough gain in the preamp section? I record to deck from time to time directly from phono with the Colossus, and the sound is superb for a cassette. Recorded with Colossus, played with Maximus.
What do you think?

inna
  rauliruegas
This is a totally free world, like it or not.
I wish you were correct, Raul, but your couldn't be further from the truth if you tried.

This is an open forum. Anyone can post to any thread. If you don't like what someone is saying then just ignore it. Doesn't your integrated have seperate pre out and power in connections. Most integrateds do. Tis will allow you to listen to the pre or power section by itself.
Alan
Dear @stanwal : """  If you like it better then it is better... """

Why are you so complacent with?, that audio statement really makes sense to you taking in count the " system context " of the OP experience with that critical/sensible cartridge signal?

I think that one way or the other your explanation/foundation about certainly is welcomed by all Agoner´s. Could you do it?, thank's in advance.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.


Just discovered that the Redgum integrated has a passive preamp. No wonder, I have enough transparency but not gain. So the deck acts as an active preamp. Cool, though not the best solution, of course.