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Preamp-power amp interconnectors advice

I have a Nakamichi CA-7A preamp that feeds into the power amp section of a Luxman R-117 receiver. In this setup, highs and upper midrange are a bit bright while lower midrange and bass are not as strong as I would like them to be.

The CA-7A and Luxman are now connected with an Atlas Equator MK II cables that are considered “neutral”. If I use silver cables instead, the sound is very harsh and bass/lower midrange almost disappear. This leads me to suggestion that a cable that is a bit on the “dark” side, or the one with bass/lower midrange sonic signature, might be the best for this setup.

Any recommendations on such a cable with the price around $100-150 used?

Thank you,
prophos
inna
7,923 posts
 
Yeah, why don't you get something like Nakamichi PA-5 or PA-7 power amp and then upgrade the cables?
prophos OP
9 posts
 
Luxman will be replaced later with something like Nak PA-5 or Yamaha B-2 but it will stay in a system for a while. BTW it's not that bad of a receiver: 170 WPC, dual mono design except primary transformer winding, fully recapped etc.

The problem is IMHO that CA-7A is a bright preamp and this brightness should be be attenuated somehow ragrdless of what power amp I'll use.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
If that is the case and you don't really like the sound of the pre then I would sell it and get another rather than trying to alter its sound with cables. Cables can alter the sound somewhat but not change the basic chacterstics of the unit.
inna
7,923 posts
 
Yes, Stanwal is right. That's exactly what I would do.
But if you insist, and I hate to make this recomendation for a few reasons, Cardas cables may give you that.
prophos OP
9 posts
 
Thank you everyone for suggestions,

I'd like to keep this preamp at least for a while for several reasons.

One is that there is more in its sound that I like than what I dislike. The soundstage is great and instrument separation is just incredible, IMHO due to dual mono design.

Another reason is that CA-7A is a "control" preamp, allowing to remotely operate another Nakamichi gear connected to it. I found this feature very convenient to control my Nak Dragon.

Finally, what I hear now is a sound of a "stock" CA-7A version which I believe could be improved with modification of circuits or just simple things such another (dedicated) power cord or an interconnector cable. It worked well in the past and so I hope it will also work well this time.

I will try some Cardas cables, starting with Crosslink, and also Audio Metallurgy GA-0, Audioquest Diamondback and perhaps some others.

Stay tuned!
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