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(20 year old) 1.0 meter Kimber hero xlr and Audioquest diamondback xlr cables

I have been using my 1.0 meter Kimber hero xlr cables  for 15-20 years. Have them hooked up between my Accuphase E5000 and PS Audio digital link III dac  and they sound good. Just found my old pair of 1.0 meter Audioquest diamondback xlr cables and tried them for a week. The Audioquest have a nice treble and warmer sound with less bass to them. I was shocked to hear the difference. The Kimber have more heft and bass to the sound, which I like better, but like the warmer more treble sound of the audioquest. I never thought 1.0 meter xlr interconnect cables could sound so different. The question is, can I get an xlr with the warmer sweeter sounding treble and the more heft in the bass? Is there a cable out there in the $200-$300 range for a pair that you guys could recommend? I like a certain sound from each of these cables I tried.

IDK if this sounds crazy and I can't believe the sound difference between the cables. I have always had the Kimber hero xlr in my older classe" system and now the new Accuphase E5000 integrated, both with the PS audio digital link III dac.

duketbrd88
patalbert
2 posts
 

I used to own a few pairs of Kimber Kable Hero HB that I really liked. The difference between the HB and the ordinary Hero is that the signal supply cable is made of pure silver instead of copper. That changes the sound significantly, perhaps in the way you are looking for. But as said by somebody else, trial and error is the only way for you to find out. Unfortunately, the HB version of these great cables is quite rare on the used market. I sold mine recently with a pinch in the heart as my new system only has single ended terminals.

Good luck !

fatdaddy2
400 posts
 

If you've got Accuphase, don't cheap out on the IC; beg borrow or steal a few different (hopefully already broken in) and experiment.  Your ears are used to the Heros, but don't let that "comfort level" stop you from trying something else.

mgrif104
365 posts
 

@duketbrd88 

good questions. I had a somewhat similar experience. I had been using some new Cardas xlr cables between my DAC and preamp and decided to audition some different ones at the recommendation of my local dealer. I tried them in my system and couldn’t believe the difference in sound. More difference for me than even speaker cables (of high quality) and i hear those differences easily. So, I think you’re correct to explore options that will give you what you’re looking for - I suspect you’ll find it.

And, i think you’re also correct asking for experiences here to help expedite the process. While there’s no substitute for trying things yourself, there are far too many options out there to try them all. So a little guidance from others here is helpful. Sorry I can’t be one of those to help as I’m not familiar enough with options in your budget. But it’s well worth the exploration.

Best,

dougthebiker
219 posts
 

Want to surprise yourself again?

 

Buy the DeOxit/De/Oxit Gold contact cleaner kit (Amazon has it) and clean your old Kimbers and clean the connector on your Accuphase and your PS Audio DAC.  The kit has the little tools that fit inside XLRs.

 

The sound will change again.  You may like it better.  I clean all my terminals and connectors every 6 months and it always improves the sound.

duketbrd88 OP
159 posts
 

@dougthebiker thanks, I was thinking of this stuff and forgot all about it.

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