Preamp to amp RCA

Mate

Mate

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Joined
Jan 3, 2015
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163
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Croatia
Hello everyone, it's been a while...

I think I should change the interconnect cable between the preamp and amp.
Professionally refurbished vintage Sony TA-E86B and professionally refurbished vintage Hitachi HMA-6500 (now with WBT-0201 RCA) are currently connected with the plain and cheap Vincent interconnect (which I got long time ago with Vincent CD player). The funny thing is that I'm actualy very pleased with the sound. But nevertheless I feel that I should finally get some decent cables. Like Kimber Silver Streak maybe... but 0.5 meter with WBT 0102 Cu RCA costs more than $500, which is a bit too much for me.

Any thoughts? Much obliged.
 
In my opinion, anything with silver can be too much for my ears. I know good silver cables get out of the way but I still prefer copper or similar.
 
Hello Joe and thanks for the quick reply. What you said about silver is my biggest fear also.


Any recommendations for a very short interconnect (40-50 cm) with WBT connectors which costs less than $500?
 
If you can demo with an option to return, then by all means go for it.

Also, cables take a long time to break in so they might not hit their peak for months.

I love Cardas, Duelund, Kimber cables with copper, Belden 8402 (great and inexpensive). I’m using Belden now for interconnects.
 
I can't try out anything. I'm stuck with what others say on the internet. Cardas has a dealer here where I live, but it's too expensive for me. Duelund and Belden are completely unknown to me.
 
Funny that you say that u-sound, because the whole morning I've been reading that the most important interconnect is the one between preamp and amp. That's what others say, I have no opinion of my own, still in a research phase.
 
I would think the preamp to amp cable is pretty important. The amp amplifies what the preamp feeds it, so I assume that would exacerbate flaws or enhance the good stuff.
 
In my experience, the most important cable is the power cord. That’s followed by speaker cables and then by interconnects. Within the realm of interconnects, the preamp to amp connection is more important than source component to preamp. I think they’re all important, but some are more important than others. As always, YMMV.
 
joeinid said:
The amp amplifies what the preamp feeds it, so I assume that would exacerbate flaws or enhance the good stuff.
Click to expand...
all right, but it doesnt get preamplified.
"the flaws and goodies" from the source to pre interconnect will get preamplified and amplified.
by my undertanding the signal from pre to amp is also not so fragil and probably less complex in its properties. whatever that means:)
 
Oly said:
In my experience, the most important cable is the power cord. That’s followed by speaker cables and then by interconnects. Within the realm of interconnects, the preamp to amp connection is more important than source component to preamp. I think they’re all important, but some are more important than others. As always, YMMV.
Click to expand...

really agree on the part that interconnects per se are less relevant soundwise
 
Sometimes manufacturer name branded cables are good, I got a set of Linn that came with their amp, I was amazed at how good they were. Never heard Vincent cables but their gear represents a good value.

With that being said Bluejeans Cables are a good upgrade from generic and can often give the name brand entry level a run for their money. They use Belden cable, but their are tons of types of Belden. Their website says their cables don't roll off the top end, I experienced some roll off and entry Transparent had better bass. IMO the BJC are strong in the midrange, meaning that's where they really compete with name brand cables.

Tributaries are reasonably priced, I haven't used enough to recommend a certain series.

Definitely under $500.00 and my pick of what I've recommended, Analysis Plus. Just their entry level has incredible midrange, sound is nicely natural.

I would buy online where you have a 30 day return. BJC and several others sell direct. Transparent is direct sales as well. Not sure about A+. Some brands you can even find on Amazon but I'd be careful of counterfit from other sellers and places like Ebay. I'd say direct from company would be best, or authorized online dealer
 
Mate said:
Funny that you say that u-sound, because the whole morning I've been reading that the most important interconnect is the one between preamp and amp. That's what others say, I have no opinion of my own, still in a research phase.
Click to expand...
The two important RCA interconnects are:
1] phono cartridge to pre-amp input.
2] long ones to distant amplifiers or sub-woofers (well longer than 15 feet).
 
Thanks all.
I'm going to change all cables. After months of research which was especialy intensified during the last 48 hours, I've decided to go with the same RCA interconnect for all devices. In future, I might try to experiment and buy one completely different cable (like Kimber Silver Streak) and change it around the system to see what happens.
Now I've decided on VIABLUE. I already have their top model of speaker cables, you won't find anything bad about them on the internet, like JOB 225 - only praises.
VIABLUE are made in Germany, interconnect also have good reviews (although very sparse), they are not expensive, they look good / seriously made, not too thick (they are not tiny either, but I think these will still be manageable) and I can order them with no problem with ANY CUSTOM LENGTH which is very important condition for me. I'll go for this model:
https://viablue.de/com/cables_nfs1_rca.php

For 5 power cords, I'll choose between ESPRIT AUDIO Alpha, OEHLBACH XXL Powercord, TRANSPARENT High Performance, TRANSPARENT Premium, VIABLUE X-25 Silver Power and VIABLUE X-40 Silver Power.

One by one all other cables dropped out, mostly because they are too expensive and/or too thick for me, plus many other numerous reasons... Cardas, PS Audio, Kimber, VooDoo, Audioquest, Shunyata, Oyaide and so on.
 
I like using same brand cables throughout the system. I don't see many pro reviewers do this, however, with the Clarus I currently use it seemed to have a cumulative effect, the more I introduced into the system the better the result.
 
Can I ask somebody about the caps, please? The ones which (should) eliminate RF/EMI interference? Where to post it anyway?
 
Speedskater said:
Tell us more about the EMI/RFI.
And what caps?
Click to expand...
I'm reading about these, thinking should I get them and which one:
https://www.audioquest.com/accessor...topper-caps/rca-noise-stopper-caps#!/features
https://www.akikoaudio.com/en/akiko...8-akiko-audio-rca-tuning-caps-rhodium-english
https://telos-audio.com.tw/caps/

I think I don't have any interferences. But still, with so many devices and cables crammed in a small space - maybe I should think about some good caps or plugs? Because I have 28 unused inputs/outputs and only one (digital RCA on my player) is plugged with something like this from Gamut: do you plug your holes?!
27 are wide open or covered with plastic caps.
 
Oly said:
In my experience, the most important cable is the power cord. That’s followed by speaker cables and then by interconnects. Within the realm of interconnects, the preamp to amp connection is more important than source component to preamp. I think they’re all important, but some are more important than others. As always, YMMV.
Click to expand...

Power cords first has been my experience too. Followed by phono/digital cables, speaker cables, ICs
 
I guess I am behind the times on importance ranking of cabling. I always put the low level signal cables at the top. Then amp to speaker, and finally AC cabling. I do put a high priority on good clean AC delivery.
 
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