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Where is the best place to install a higher quality set of interconnect cables? Would it be best to place them from the DAC to pre or from pre to power amp? I can only purchase one set right now so I will have to use one of my existing pairs which is a couple product lines lower. Thoughts?
128x128luvrockin
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
My advice: jump off the Transparent merry-go-round. Love my TA Reference XL XLR IC’s but there are a lot of great alternatives for far less $$.

However, if you have the money to spare, TA’s top stuff is hard to beat.

Dave
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I’ve seen it both ways. The real truth is that this is system dependent and has everything to do with synergy between components.

I was originally of the mind that the best cable should be on the source. However, I have found that possibly the best cable should be the last cable right before the amplifier (which contributes to the last bit of sonic signature character).

It was in another system where we had two cables, one with a higher resolution. It turned out that the higher resolution was best placed between the preamp and the amplifier. When we put higher resolution cable at the source, the overall sound quality dropped and the sound became somewhat smeared from the lo-res cable at the amp.

For those of you who don’t know, the preamp actually has the input signal run through a resistor (input impedance) and then through an op amp or discrete analog circuit with negative feedback gain. This analog circuit essentially "re-generates" the waveform using voltage from the preamp power supply. A preamp will typically have two inverting analog circuits with a volume control (potentiometer or resistor ladder) in between these two circuits (with gain). As long as the input waveform is close to what you need, the "re-generated" waveform is mostly dependent on the preamp power supply and circuit quality. So, the interconnect between the preamp and amplifier may play an even more important part than the interconnect from the DAC/source.

Not all preamps have two analog circuits. There may be some that have a single non-inverting analog circuit, probably with the volume potentiometer before the circuit. This works more as a "buffer circuit".

williewonka
3,082 posts
 
@luvrockin - it sounds as though you are aware that a good cable is only as good as your weakest link - be it a cable or a component.
- i.e. If you have decided on a cable, then all of the cables in that signal path should be of similar quality.

If a component is of a lessor quality than the cable connecting it - then that one great interconnect will not make too much difference sound quality wise.

Having said that - you could simply try the cable in various places until the best sound quality is observed - i.e. trust your ears - or...

  • In a "phased-in" approach such as this, I would group the good components and cables together,
  • so in your case I would use the good IC between the pre-amp and the main amp.
  • Now you can rest assured that this signal path is performing to optimum levels.
  • Later on if you try other cables between a source and the pre-amp you will probably hear more of a difference between those cables due to the settled signal path between the pre-amp and the amp.
Cables need to "settle-in" each time they are reconnected in order for them to sound their best - I have observed this can take from 24-60 hours - depending on the cable.

In that time the sound quality can vary and colour a person’s judgement as to the improvements observed.

Leaving a cable in place once connected is perhaps the best thing an audiophile can do. Re-seating can be performed from time to time, but no more than a couple of times a year - if that.

And - make sure to re-seat all of the cables at the same time and then allow for settling.

This applies to ALL cables, but there are times when pulling the power cable cannot be avoided - i.e. lightening storms.

Hope that helps - Steve







luvrockin's avatar
luvrockin OP
208 posts
 
Very interesting! I think I'll play a bit over the long weekend.
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
@luvrockin - something I've found that helps me when "listening intently" is selecting the perfect tracks to highlight system performance...

I start by listening to tracks that have lots of venue acoustics
- I tend to use classical quartets or live acoustic performances
- I'm listening for improvements in the reverberations and isolation of artists within the image and the natural tones of voice and/or instrument
Eric Clapton - Unplugged - is pretty good for both acoustics and natural tones

I also use tracks with very little "sound engineering" - I find some Norah Jones or Diana Krall tracks are very good for this 

For sense of space I have two choices that are poles apart
- Classical orchestral tracks with big orchestras
- Bob Marley - Is this love - one of my most favourite tracks ever!

Both of these just melt the walls and extend the image way past my listening environment - uncanny!

Then there is the Pipe Organ - this tends to show up improvements in dynamics and bass control - the venue acoustics also tend to be very good.

Hope that helps with you listening this weekend - Stave :-)
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