Will one cable upgrade make a noticeable difference?


My system is pretty set cable-wise with mostly Transparent Ge5 Ultra SC, Ref PCs, FTA SINOPE USB, SOtM dCBL CAT 7 and and Transparent Ethernet on my major components. Also some Wywires and Wireworld mid-level PCs on Innuous PhNet and PhUSB and REL sub.

The only “legacy” cable is a Synergistic Research Element Copper RCA between my Chord DAVE and Pathos Heritage MKii integrated.

Question: Would replacing the SR with either a Transparent G5 Reference or G6 Ultra make a noticeable difference in the sound?

Or other suggestions? Budget approx $1500 on used market. TIA and happy listening.

Pathos Heritage MKii integrated

Innuos Zenith MK3 * Ph’NET and Ph’ USB

Audiowise OPTO DX

Transparent G5 PowerIsolator

CHORD DAVE w/ Sean Jacobs LPS

M Scaler w/ Teddy Pardo LPS

REL S/812

Tannoy Kensington GRs

 

128x128cantorgale

In general,…

Yes.,, a cable upgrade is a first step wherein one would hope for some audio improvement uptick that depends on the cumulative and compounding fsctors immediately below
BUT… if you are hoping that your particular single cable upgrade alone in isolation is that reward,,, , think again, Alone, it’s highly likely to fail for any Jesus moment or “ A-ha’ moment by itself..Read on.

In more detail:

Hoping for an audio performance major uptick is not a strategy for success. Think full system effects instead:

(1) ergo, think full system audio cables synergy and its system audio performance upticks. Sure, an individual single cable upgrade a good first step in that series upgrade plan. However, It’s a sum of the parts cables alchemy comprised of ALL of interconnects, speakers, power, and ethernet cables.

(2) +1 for @knotscott @thecarpathian …your bespoke system in its cradle-to-grave totality will predicate a bespoke audio improvement.that cannot provide a predictable assurance in these response posts,

without prejudice to the foregoing, it’s your bespoke system that will dictate whether the power cord, versus IC versus speaker vs Ethernet , that may give you the greater degree of improvement.

My experiences = my take: start with a quality build power cable first IMO.Just sayin’….

This is journey of hands-on experimentations by rolling up,your sleeves, , and never a one-size- fits-all quick fix destination.

 

Yes the only way to know is to try. 
I’m also wondering why you are using RCA there, doesn’t Pathos have XLR in? When you try new interconnects see if you can try XLR version. 

I second audphile1's suggestion. I have a Pathos Classic One MKIII and use a solid silver balanced cable with my cd player. Made a huge difference in detail and soundstage. Also the Pathos benefited with the use of a silver plated, beefy power cord.

@audphile1 Re RCA, one of the XLR feeds went bad in my DAVE. Haven’t sent it off to repair yet.  Had been using Transparent G5 ULTRA XLR.  No noticeable difference in SQ going to RCA. (Well, there’s one answer to my question…)


@dill Thanks for you input.  I run a Transparent G5 Reference PC from my Pathos, so all good there.