Switch to silver for a treble boost?

Carl109,

I agree it wouldn't hurt to try this. Running silver wire all the way from your source to your speakers would have the greatest impact on sound. Signal Cable makes the cheapest all silver interconnects I know of http://signalcable.com/.

Secondly, does you amplifier have a jumper on the back between the pre and power amplifiers? Like a little metal U-shaped bar connecting RCA out and in? I replaced this metal bar on my amp with silver jumpers and it made a noticeable improvement in the resolution and air in the upper registers. Here are a couple of options:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kimber-preamp-jumpers-pure-Silver-AGSS-wire-Gold-Pins_W0QQitemZ250245454964QQihZ015QQcategoryZ64591QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have also heard that Signal Cable will make you some out of their Silver Resolution wire http://signalcable.com/

Finally, I have the same CD player as you (from previous thread). I was experimenting with different platforms and supports underneath it and found that placing it on a heavy wooden chopping block on the shelf in my stereo cabinet really improved the sound quality and cleaned up any sibilance or digital nasties that might creep in occasionally. Also, I tried using small 3/4" hardwood blocks directly under the chassis and on top of the chopping block to support the player instead of the stock feet and found that the resolution took another jump forward and the sound became more tipped up towards the treble. I actually decided I liked the sound with the stock feet directly on the large chopping block best for my taste, but this is another cheap trick to tip the sound in favor of the higher octaves.

Carl, based on what I know of you in our discussions, I would suggest that upgrading over time in components will yield more of the air/sparkle, etc. you seek. You would be better off pursuing saving for upgrade to your components or speakers at this point. The distinction between silver/copper cables can be less exceptional (in many cases) than component changes. I would encourage you not to lose sight of a higher goal by taking a quick upgrade.
This is especially so if you have some upper frequency hearing loss.

If I had to send you in one direction to start, it would be upgrading speakers. A world of good things can happen at both ends of frequ. spectrum with a speaker upgrade. It may take much longer to save up for, but it is well worth it. You can ask similar questions in regard to the presentation of speakers when the time comes to narrow down the field.

You might find temporary satisfaction in a cable change now, but the rig is primed for other upgrades prior to cables. It depends on how far you want to take it. If you never want to keep extending the main rig, then get the cables.

Douglas,

What Speakers would you advise somebody to look at if they wanted greater emphasis on the upper registers and to add "treble sparkle and 'air'"? Focal? Monitor Audio? Something else with a metal tweeter? Maybe something with a ribbon tweeter like a Dali? Did you have something specific in mind?

Knownothing "I was experimenting with different platforms and supports".

I have some off-cuts of Caesarstone, a heavy man-made marble which I might try under the player, as it's currently sitting on a large timber unit. And I think I'll give the silver speaker cables a try - for $100 I can't go too far wrong!

Douglas, I do have my eye on some better speakers (like the B&W 800 series), but my current 602's are only 2 years old so there'd be a very low WAF on upgrading just yet!
Cheers all.

Knownothing, from my experience reviewing speakers ribbon tweeters are among the most detailed and open I have heard. I very much enjoy the neo-ribbon used in the Legacy Audio Focus HD. Moving down on my list I would then suggest a dual ring tweeter like the one in the Von Schweikert speakers, and finally a metal dome tweeter.

Moving from an entry level monitor to a mid level floor stander is revelatory. Paradigm speakers have always sounded to me clear and detailed at the top end, and I also have enjoyed planars, which with companies like Magneplanar and Eminent Technology offer a lot of openness in the high end at affordable prices.