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Upgrade Interconnects/Cables or…?

At 71 years of age, I have two possible upgrades I’d like to perform. After that I’m done, except for the usual tweaks (i.e., tubes, isolation, etc.). I’m very happy with the system I’ve built over the years, and it fits my room (medium), and the sound I’ve been after has been realized. I am guilty of concentrating on the main components of my system, and not paying much attention to what connects them. And, I’m in the hunt to upgrade my line stage…Maybe? So, what to do first, and perhaps I can hold off on the second option entirely? My budget is under $6,000 for either one.

I’m still an analog guy, even though I do have a DAC, Streamer, and NAS. My concentration here is for my phono playback. My interconnects and cables are old, but even so, each time I’ve upgraded a main component I have heard definite and sometimes significant improvement. Whenever I purchased interconnects/cables in the past, they were always decent ones at the time.

Option 1 - I’m looking at replacing the following interconnects/cables for my phono playback…

Turntable, Arm, Cartridge: Upgraded TW Acustic Raven, Ortofon RS 309D, Ortofon Verismo

               Current Phono Cable: Cardas Cross

Phono Stage: Tron Seven with the Reference caps

               Current Interconnect to Line Stage: Cardas Cross Reference

Line Stage: Boulder L3AE and recently upgraded the caps by Boulder

               Current Interconnect to Amps: Crystal Piccolo

Amps: TW Acustic 300B Monoblocks

               Current Speaker Cable: WireWorld Silver (original)

Option 2 - My system is fully unbalanced, so when considering a line stage, I don’t want to pay extra for designs that benefit from using the balanced side when I won’t be using that. One consideration for replacing my Boulder, is the Audible Illusions L3B.

So, which option might you choose if you could only choose one? And, what might you go with?

Thanks,

Kenny

kennythekey
jond's avatar
jond
5,738 posts
 

Hey Kenny I have to say your system looks fantastic to me and the way you describe the sound is what most of us are going for. I think your cables are just fine and your phono stage too if it were me I'd add a tubed linestage to the mix in place of the Boulder. Tron makes good ones and there are so many other choices out there, you are working with a great dealer sounds like I'm sure they may have some suggestions.

soix
9,347 posts
 

I’d still try pulling the speakers a few feet into the room and see if it yields any improvement in the areas you’re interested in.  You didn’t say if you’ve tried that. 

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 

@kennythekey  I agree with previous comments about moving the speakers out into the room. It should improve the depth of the sound. Have you tried using the “Rule of Thirds”. That was the secret for me locking the speakers into the room.  Good luck!

kennythekey OP
593 posts
 

Gentlemen,

I let go of my reservations about moving my speakers out into the room. The difference from prior trials, is that I pulled them out farther than ever before. I then toed them in as well, and I'm still experimenting with this. Right now the drivers are just outside of pointing at me directly. Audphile1, soix, and hifiman5, you were right and I was stubborn. This made a huge difference. I put on Stan Getz at the Cafe Au Go Go and Astrud's voice resonated into the room. The system gained energy along with the bass, also sounding truly authentic and equally relaxed. I was almost present in the room, so I'll keep tweaking the placement until I can order a drink from the cocktail waitress! - LOL...Thanks

The downside, is it will be a battle with the wife when she sees what I've done, so I'll probably have to figure out a way to more easily move my speakers back and forth.

So, now what? It seems I'm somehow stuck in the same place I was before...Upgrade the cables or the line stage? What a hobby...Ha..Ha..Ha

Kenny

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,766 posts
 

Good to hear you tried and are hearing the difference. More resolving cables will help a bit with soundstage but I’m not familiar with your amps and preamp. And that’s where you will most likely hit the nail on the head. You gotta start somewhere. 
You’re using a solid state preamp with tubed amps correct? May be try a tube linestage? Different amps may be? 
 

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