This cable game is making my head spin


Hello all

I'll start by listing my system for reference.

Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black cart.

Tokyo Sound Phono stage (A late 90's Japanese Audio company)

Aric Audio Unlimited all tube preamp

Odyssey Khartago w/ upgraded power supply and internal wiring

Divine Acoustics Proxima speakers

Now the story of my Frankenstein cable setup.  When I started purchasing cables I found an independent cable maker online who used silver in all his cables. I had purchased 3 power cables for my phono pre, preamp and amp. Unfortunately we had a falling out and I decided not to purchase any more cables from him. I was very green in the whole cable game and I still am but have learned a bit since. Most notably is how silver can brighten a system and the Ortofon 2M black is known as a bright sounding cart to begin with.

Being on a budget and wanting to upgrade all my interconnects at once I came upon vintage western electric interconnects being sold on here and elsewhere. Purported "giant killers" so I bought those for the time being at $114 a pair. But I needed a phono cable and being as green as I am/was thought you needed a cable with an attached ground and extra shielding. I couldn't find a western electric specific phono cable so I bought an Audio Sensibility impact SE phono cable. For speaker wire I went with the Belden 9497 from the same place I got the western electric. A nice budget cable and also a purported "giant killer". For my turntable I  got a western electric power cable from the same place.

So I'm running 3 silver power cables to phono amp, preamp, amp and a western electric power cable to the turntable. Audio Sensibility phono cable. Western Electric interconnects from phono to preamp and preamp to amp, and the Belden 9497 speaker wire. What a mess right lol.

I want to streamline all my cables so I bought a pair of Audio Sensibility impact se interconnects. Same make as my phono cable. When I put them in between the preamp and amp I was shocked how dull and lifeless the sound was. Granted they are not broken in and only went through the 3 day burn in process Audio Sensibility offers but I was not expecting that dramatic of a change. The phono cable sounds good so maybe it is break in? Or the phono cable being OCC copper is taming some of the harshness of the Ortofon cartridge but the interconnect from preamp to amo is taming it too much?

I'd like to start auditioning cables from different manufacturers in the "mid-fi" price range and actually get this done right this time around. Given my system is there any advice to be offered on where I should start? I don't want things too bright sounding but not as lifeless as the Audio Sensibility (occ copper) either. And I'm a sucker for lush mid bass and mids hence the all tube preamp.

Sorry for the novel and thanks for any help!

 

128x128blue_collar_audio_guy

@blue_collar_audio_guy out of curiosity which silver power cords are you using and how many hours of burn-in do you have on them?

Some guys are using lavri cables...My thinking these days are starting with power/source /amp then after getting the combo right move onto speaker cables.Sc will sound great after having upstream right.Dont under estimate connectors.Audio sense is descent cable...ofc/occ have there place as well.

@lak They are custom made by Mark Tunis he sells on audiogon. I've had them for around 4 years so they are fully burned in. 

@blue_collar_audio_guy I use all Raven cables with a Raven integrated - I agree with you  - I think they are remarkably good and very reasonably priced - as good or better than the Nordost's I also own. I was impressed that the amp came with the same power cable they sell for $230.

I have a sneaky suspicion they are using Cardas copper conductors given they are using Cardas connectors in their amps.

@blue_collar_audio_guy Thats a negative. Putting the silver cords anywhere in the preamp, amp or both brings out way to much harshness for my liking. Bob Dylan’s harmonica becomes ear screeching for example.

 

^^ This is telling^^.

Btw, I run all Cardas Grade 1 Ultra pure copper -or- Analysis Plus OCC Crystal Copper interconnect cables. All Silver ICs are stored away, no longer used. Neither of these brands and lines of copper interconnects are harsh. Smooth and natural.

An ear screeching Bob Dylan harmonica does not sound like much fun. Hopefully with some good loaners you can get it figured out for your ears. Best of Luck.