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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
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,284 posts
 

That’s great! Cardas customer support is solid!

jimboman OP
102 posts
 

On another cable-related note, given the relative level of my system components, I'm wondering if there is a target price-range that I should be aiming for in my cable upgrade quest?

The system is: Luminary's U2 to Benchmark DAC3 HGC to Benchmark AHB2 amp, to ATC SCM40 speakers.  (I should also note, that the AHB2 is fed by a dedicated 20A 3-wire 10-gauge circuit, and the Lumin/DAC3 are plugged into a PS Audio Duet)

I'm curious what @ghdprentice @decooney  @soix , and of course, @audphile1  would have to say.  :-)

Seems every manufacturer has a range of product, and it seems part of the task to untangle all the options, is to match the relative levels of all components in the system...  Is there a general rule of thumb worth following?  

Thanks in advance for all advice.

Best, JAMES.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,284 posts
 

James…wait for the Cardas to come back. See how you like them and go from there.
I’ll be 100% honest - I am not a fan of benchmark sound. It’s not bad by any means. It just never draws me in. I always think I’m missing a tube component somewhere in the chain.
As far as cables are concerned….I had Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper with the benchmark 3 hgc in my system and thought it was a good combination. I would also recommend checking out AZ Matrix Ref II. I would not recommend AZ Silver Ref between DAC 3 and amp. It might be a bit much.
What I’m thinking though, since you have Kimber speaker cables, why not try Kimber XLRs. The silver/copper hybrid are really good cables. Seek out a used pair of Kimber KS1126.
Nordost Norse line is worth looking into as well.
All boils down to synergy.

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,690 posts
 

I just read this sad thread where a bunch of people who had never heard they OPs system, seen the cables, or heard the cables convinced him to try to return them and then suspect they were counterfeit because they didn't sound right.  Please apologise to the fellow for all the trouble you've caused him.

The original seller was right.  You buy cables and if you don't like them, resell them.  I do it all the time.  Not a big deal. 

Jerry

jimboman OP
102 posts
 

@carlsbad2  Definitely a cautionary tale, for sure.  I’m glad the OP didn’t make any identifying information public!  And, you’re right, an apology is definitely warranted.

Navigating this whole cable thing is not for the faint of heart!

Best, JAMES

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