RCA interconnect recommendation

@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

@fastfreight Yes agree with you and I may still audition some more cables from the Cable Company.
And yet another update: I played Bill Evans Live at the Vanguard on my TT the other night and it just completely sings. Then I switched the Zen cable over to the DAC (successfully this time). All I can say is Wow!. A vast improvement.
It was suggested to try the Acoustic Silver and I'm considering it.

Thanks

@smaarch1 "...Then I switched the Zen cable over to the DAC (successfully this time). All I can say is Wow!. A vast improvement."

There it is. For some, for better or worse, cables can/do make a difference :)