RCA interconnect recommendation

@smaarch1

One of the attributes of components and of a system which I found really really difficult to manage is adding too much highlighted detail so one’s system brings out flaws. High lighted detail can be very rewarding when listening to your system but gets in the way of listening to music. I got a pretty good handle on it about 20 years ago when I had a system I called my “reference system”. The difference in venue and mastering techniques were in my face… I enjoyed getting lost in the space” of a symphony hall, but it got in the way of falling into the music. This was not an ear bleed system at all. But poor recordings were emphasized as poor recordings.

I found that reading through professional reviews I could actually figure out if the component was going to enhance or detract from this tendency. Over the time since when I have upgraded components my system has improved detail and nuance and lot it’s unnatural emphasis highlighting detail. So all recordings sound better. It took me thirty years to figure this out and how to manage it. But it has been very worthwhile.

Hopefully, this is useful for you to think about. But, the good news, I think, is that the difference you describe sounds like new cables, and if interconnects have only a couple dozen hours on them, making bad albums sound worse will probably go away as the break in.

This attribute in combination with the desire to enhance rhythm and pace is what component by component led me to Audio Reseach tubed equipment. The music first with the detail in realistic and natural emphasis.

@smaarch1 Not to sidetrack you too much on your interconnect thread but wanted to ask for ya., Have you already been down the small-tube rolling path with your Rogue integrated yet? (i.e replacing the stock original JJ 12aU7 12aX7 tubes). Can be a nice improvement and will benefit you on your interconnect realization too.

Back in 2017 I recall several groups of Rogue Cronos and Cronos Magnum II owners were haggling with swapping out trying various NOS, RCAs, new-repro Mullard’s, and landing on PSVANE and Gold Lyons replacing all (12au7, 12ax7) of the small stock low cost signal and driver tubes and very happy with the results. I have tried a decent NOS collection myself (25 different matched pairs of NOS, including the best of the very best early vintage Mullard Blackburns) and NOW just run the newer version small PSVANE (2021+), quite smooth. Allows one to save off the rare NOS stuff too. My new theory is good small signal/driver tubes first and good caps inside the amp(s) before more interconnect upgrades.  Makes a notable and engaging difference with the flow of the music, fwiw. If you have not tried it yet in your Rogue, it can be a fairly affordable upgrade and change for the better. Best of luck.

@decooney  Thanks - no sidetrack at all. Yes I briefly played with a few tubes, in fact I have box sitting here of matched tubes - gold lions, rca's and a few others. I tried a reissued Mullard in the preamp spot and it was awful - not listenable actually....tried it again with the same result. I swapped out the JJ tube for a tungsol and I've been pleased with it. I'll get back to the tube thing eventually.
@ghdprentice  Thanks also -  I'll need to reread your post and think about it some more. Generally understand what you are saying - need to wrap my head around it.
@audphile1 thanks for the suggestion that drove me hear - much appreciated

Chen audio labs (WRT cables)

Hi OP,

I think you did the right thing assembling your components and then considering cables.  While I wanted to not believe more expensive (more than Blue Jeans) cables would make a difference, I learned, to my ears, they make a huge difference.  Like everything, it is impossible to demo everything, and everyone has their favorites.   I started with the Cable Company, and as discussed, I tried several types; Synergistic, Audience AU 24 SX, Shunyata Research and another.  Power cords were first, and I think they had the most impact.  I chose Audience, bought some from the Cable Company, and then competed my system with  AU 24SX interconnects and speaker cables used on Audiogon etc.

I really liked the resolution and smoothness of the AU24 SX.

Then I had an in home demo of Kubala - Sosna Elation cables.  Wow.  Bass and midrange excelled and the high end resolution was also great.  So I sold all my Audience stuff (easily) and now have a 'full loom' of Elation.  I learned that what you may think are very resolving or tingly sounding cables may actually be from a deficiency in the midrange.

I like copper way better (smoother) than silver, and have found that matching all your cables in your system makes a difference.  The Cable Company may not be where you choose to buy everything, but having three companies stuff at the same time is the way to go if you are auditioning.  Very hard to compare if only one cable at a time.  My thoughts...Ken