can someone answer me this.....


i have done some extensive research and talked to quite a few people who own or have had this preamp.  I recently came into a conrad Johnson et 3 se, nt much clarity,the bass is muddy and the presentation is dark, ive read where some claim the system is to bright.  ive also read where its good to get a specific type of tube.  I don't want to do that just yet because im trying to learn the units characteristic.  I wonder if its not quite broken in yet.  maybe the impedance thing that Im just learning.  steve mccormck suggested that I try some after market power cord, that I ordered.  
assoc. equipment
McCormack dna 500
oppo 203
alon IV's
acoustic zen interconnects
I make my own speaker cables …..
no wires are touching, none are on the carpet or floor.....
kennesawjet
... and stringgreen: why not do as I do - run and fasten BARE WIRES ... We do so much that goes counter to common sense: why confuse the issue by creating another junction with RCAs or Us? and why coat them in Gold of all materials ( making them into Audio Jewelry!) instead of silver or copper, which are so much more conductive...
kennesawjet: Tell you what - let's try an experiment: I'll make you a set of 3 (per side) home-made speaker wires (need to know lengths per side) at either 12 or 14 gauge solid core copper wire (to be determined) with bare ends, twisted. I'll also include 8 short lengths for you to experiment with single wire, using the short length as jumpers...
SO - ( in my best Brooklynese) WhaDaYaDink?  
kennesawjet: did some quick research and since your amp is 500w - 10 gauge is recommended for all speakers in the array. You said you make/made your own speaker cables -  did you use stranded or solid core wire? copper, tinned copper or silver? 14, 12 or 10 gauge wire? And did you break in your speaker wire with over 300 hours of continuous play (I 
usually do 750 hours on any new break-ins, a solid month!).
Any of the above could make a major difference in you sound man...
millercarbon: thank you for your summary of experience - at least I agree with the first 7 words in your last paragraph. But I wholeheartedly disagree because my speaker cables cost abit less than $14 - run as biwires. And the Lampcord idea was tried with a miserable outcome...
I wouldn't/shouldn't disagree that ever system is different - usually a mash of financially achieveable wants, hopes and dreams. I know a fellow who's recently spent ABOUT $550.K on Italian speakers, a complete ( and I mean COMPLETE) system of all one brand components, a turntable that looks like it should be orbiting the earth, a brand new (completely refurbished and custom painted) reel-to-reel, and top of the line speaker cables and interconnects from a custom manufacturer. He's a guy who would NEVER experiment with anything BECAUSE HE SIMPLY ACCEPTS THAT THE PRICE RELATES TO IT ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE BEST. I do not subscribe to that theory in audio: I could spend more but don't. I prefer to prove things before I become a member of blind group-think...
millercarbon ... feeling rather foolish right now: I agree with the FIRST 9 WORDS of your LAST PARAGRAPH (guess I got wrapped in what I was going to profess in my soapbox reply to you and miscounted...).






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millercarbon, these speaker wires sound great....
caphill,  whats wrong with oppo 203,  its not rotel, but it sound great.  
insearchof,  yes....and just talked with steve McCormack not long ago,  said 16-18 gauge is fine, and that's what im running.  pure copper, tri wired...…