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

The value of a great dealer rules!

From the start, I had my speakers not far from the walls for 2 reasons. I am dealing with a front to back distance of 14 feet, plus I felt obliged to follow the rule of thirds (triangle) as the speaker manufacturer also illustrates how to set them up; Rule of 3, toe-in, and corners. However, my speakers did not sound best this way, and no corners to be had. They sounded best closer to the front wall, with rule of 3, and a very slight bit of toe-in. So, I started this post to get more air at me, and figured that might happen by upgrading my cables or line stage that were both very old.

I sent Jeff my dealer an email seeking his input about cables and letting him know what my budget was. Within 30 minutes I got a response. You all know that my room is not perfect and so does Jeff. Jeff told me to start by moving my speakers out into the room, so kudos to those who suggested this to me. I had mentioned to Jeff that Tommy the speaker manufacturer illustrates toe-in for the setup of the speakers. Jeff added, forget that, I never set them up that way. Instead, level your tonearm and adjust the VTA, so that the headshell is lower than the bearing and then work back up as desired. Jeff, never brought up the cables or purchasing anything from him.

This advice saved me $6,000. I am now working on the VTA adjustments to maximize the added air I now have. Is my sound perfect? No, I have an imperfect room. However, my system sounds great.

Later, I can think about replacing my shaky arm cable, and get shorter speaker ones.

Kenny

 

 

 

@kennythekey

I owned the Audible Illusions 3A with external LPS some years ago.  It was my first tube experience and I enjoyed it while I had it.  I let it go because of service lead time concerns. To be fair, the one repair issue I had was addressed quickly.  But AI is a one man shop and you might want to look into the experience others have had.  OTOH, it’s a wonderful preamp.  

cantorgate

Yes, I had read comments regarding the service and delivery side of AI that were not favorable. I think when you deal with a one man show company it’s going to be about timing. So, where was he when you stepped in or place in line. Then there’s the person’s social nature to deal with. Even of more concern, what if he just gives up or worse!? You call and nobody’s home.

I have had a number of dealings with one man shows and have to say luck’s been on my side. This includes my primary dealer. My main components, TW-Acustic, Tron Electric, and Horning Hybrid are all one man shows. The exception is Boulder Amplifiers, and I was looking to switch to AI. Now that you brought this to my attention about AI, in retrospect, I’m wondering if I’m not a little nuts taking such leaps of faith?

I appreciate the warning, and BTW, your system is really nice!

Kenny

@kennythekey An analogy, In nearly all cases a flea on a dogs back, keep safe beyond the gnaw area of the dog and will never ascend the hair to get a view of the outside world, the flea usually spends it life down under on the dogs skin.

Very rarely a flea ascends a hair and sees the real world and all it has to offer.

Are you not feeling like such an individual in relation to Audio Equipment, where your route is not the typical Investigation and Purchases made that were the end result?

I certainly feel an affinity to such types of individual.

pindac,

No, I don’t feel that way at all..I’ve already been through all the Typical Investigations and Purchases…And their consequences.