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Cable upgrades

Happy Holidays to all!

I’m reconfiguring my system and am interested in upgrading my interconnects and possibly my speaker cables, and I was wondering if you could make some recommendations.

I was running Audio Sensibility Impact SE XLR between my Benchmark DAC3 HGC (as a DAC/pre) and my Benchmark AHB2 power amp.  The amp is running bi-wired Kimber Cable 8TC (I think that’s the model #) to a pair of ATC SCM40 tower speakers.  In this setup the bass is tight and the mids are clean - overall I’m quite happy - but sometimes I feel, for my ears, I’d love a bit more openness / brightness in the higher end.

My questions are: would improved XLR interconnects help to open up the top end a bit, without being harsh, and perhaps increase the dimensionality of the soundstage?  Or would I be better off starting with upgrading the speaker cables?  I’ve been looking at the Cardas Parsec level of cable, and could perhaps stretch to the Clear line, pending your recommendations.

Also, one other question: pending the possible move to 2 AHB2s (in mono-block configuration), do both XLR interconnects have to be the same length?  If not, would it cause any timing issues between, say, a 2' XLR and a 6'?

I’d appreciate any guidance.  Many thanks in advance.

Best, JAMES

jimboman
decooney
1,906 posts
 

@jimboman ...man you are having too much cable fun. Good for you.  Keep us posted, and keep up the good work! 👍

jimboman OP
63 posts
 

Thanks @soix , @decooney , @audphile1 

And while we're on the subject of cable fun, wondering what your thoughts are for these PCs:

Acoustic Zen Tsunami plus
Audience Forte f3
XLO Reference 3 series

Let the games continue!

Best, JAMES.

soix
8,762 posts
 

I’m less well versed in the PC universe, but Triode Wire Labs PCs get nice reviews and he offers a generous in-home trial, and since he sells direct they offer good value and well worth trying I’d think.  Just one easy option to consider FWIW.

jimboman OP
63 posts
 

Thanks @soix   Will keep an eye out for Triode Labs. As I’m in the frosty north, not sure I can take advantage of the in-home trial?  I was considering the Audience and XLO PCs mostly as a low-cost decent entry point — and they’re currently available from audio connexion (local company) at a discounted price (although not returnable without a restocking fee)

best, JAMES

jimboman OP
63 posts
 

@soix  I’m demoing the Neotech MkIIIs this weekend. First impressions out of the box — nice cable, slight shift towards brighter side, but seems a touch less mid/low bass slam.  Not sure yet, giving them 50+ hours before any serious decision-making — but at the moment,  in my system, I’m leaning more in the direction of the MKIs (which are all OCC copper, as opposed to 20%silver coating W MKIIIs)

But time will tell!

best, JAMES

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