Upgrading

Jaonb, et al...

To say that all cables sound alike is pure.... choose a derogatory word

Case in point: Over the last month I replaced/updated my entire system’s cables, ICs, PCs and speaker from very well known and well reviewed company, PLUS, some 10 yo+ PCs from a boutique company to Nordost knock-offs from China. Like most of us I proceeded cautiously, first buying just a Odin 2 coaxial cable to replace my Pangea Premier XL ($169). The improvement was not subtle, so I ordered Odin 2 XLRs and power cord, similar improvements, so I followed with 2 robust twisted, but unnamed PCs from same company @ ~ $40 (these for my transport and dac/pre outboard PS- much better than the boutique >$400PCs. Enjoying my vastly improved musical enjoyment, it occurred to me that I should also replace the PC to my CorePower 1800 PLC. This time I ordered a Odin Gold, and the system sounded better still. On well recorded discs I often feel transported to the live performance or recording studio. Sharing this experience with a fellow ’phile, he noted the Odin Gold might not be heavy enough gauge for the PLC and recommended a Chinese PC that is available from Amazon; 10ga single crystal copper, very high quality Rhodium plated plug 1.5m just $45 with 20% discount, shipped in 2 days, compared to the ~ 3 weeks from China!. I decided to try it on the dac/pre PS- absolutely no comparison, so Saturday I ordered another for my transport, which is scheduled to arrive today

On entry level kit one may not notice much, but if your system, sans cables, is $3K +, Im confident you will be highly rewarded

I had your VIRTUAL DYNAMICS POWER ONE power cords in a prior system about 15 years ago.

I was disappointed with them and thankful to ditch them in favour of significant upgrades for two reasons :

- they were bulky and overly stiff and comparatively hard to position in an audio rack

- performance wise, I found them to sound like crap. = Not one of my finer moments in purchases 

FWIW: I have an entire loom of CARDAS CLEAR / CARDAS GOLDEN  REFERENCE power cords that smokes them …. Not even close.

And yes, it is also a full loom array of CARDAS CLEAR XLR/RCA ICs and digital IC with the final speaker cable upgrade in process.

BUT ,,,,and it’s a big “BUT” ,,,, the CARDAS are clear winners by a long shot with the burden of a lot more money spent (…worth every dime IMO …) 

I would start off with power cords, then Speaker and IC’s.

+1, @ghdprentice ~ listing your components would be helpful!

I myself did speakers first, IC next, Power cords last. In theory, Power cords should be first, IC next, speakers last, but felt my power conditioner did good enough job. I also felt that if the cords after the power cords were not up to snuff, then I wouldn't actually hear any improvement from power cord upgrades.

@ghdprentice had a quick question.. How do I update my system photos.. I got some new ones, and I can't seem to figure out how to add them.. Thanks..