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Whats more important, source cables or amp cables?

I'd like to save some time demo'ing my own system for hours and get some experts to tell me what to do. What's most important, the cable between the source and the pre-pro, or the pre-pro and the amp(s). Does it make more difference in the sound to place my better pair of XLRs before or after the pre. I have a small Krell system, DVD Std, HTS 7.1, and 2250/3250 KAVs. I asked Krell and he told me they are both important, but that didn't really help since finding another pair of Crecendos is easier said than done. I have one pair, and 2 pair of Serenades, which don't suck, but from what I've read, aren't near as good as the Crecendos.

Any help or explanations would be beneficial at this point. Thanks AGers
mbarnes928
erndog's avatar
erndog
261 posts
 
After lots of testing, I found that the cable that made the most noticeable difference was the source to preamp cable. So I always use my best cable in that position.
grateful's avatar
grateful
104 posts
 
over all good cabling will make a difference. Where to start? The further upstream the more significant the impact (this goes for equipment too). In other words, your source equipment and cabling carries the smallest and most delicate signal - if there is flaws present or introduced here - then said flaws will only be magnified and expanded upon further downstream (preamp, amp & speakers along with the associated cabling). Thus, your best should be source and source cabling. However, due be aware that the absolute best and perfect signal can be ruined by poor reproduction, so downstream is important too. This is the reason you will get so many opinions on such a question - its all a symbiosis...
xxqq250
43 posts
 
The way you are going about this is almost a guaranteed fail. I like what Almarg has to say in his post. I will simply add that if you buy cables on recommendations alone and not demo them in your system, you're nuts.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,984 posts
 
In almost all of my many systems through the years, I have found that the cable from preamp to amp to make the biggest difference.
gpgr4blu
1,086 posts
 
In my experience, the biggest difference is source to pre . I put my "best" cable there.
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