Upgrade ICs from source or between amps?

[jabrax]

Guys/Gals, looking for a few opinions on were to upgrade ICs.

I plan to upgrade the ICs in my toys, I don't plan to break the bank, but i plan to get at a level that would be in place for a long time.

Where do you feel the biggest bang for the buck (noticable) ic upgrade is?

Between the sources (i.e cd) and pre/rec, or pre/rec and power amp?
Jeff

[steveinaz]

If you can't do the whole chain, I would upgrade the longest cables first. Definitely do your main source to pre, pre to amp first.

If I may suggest, Kimber PBJ (especially used) is one of the best bang for your buck cables out there.

[phuz]

If you can't do the whole chain, I would upgrade the longest cables first. Definitely do your main source to pre, pre to amp first.

If I may suggest, Kimber PBJ (especially used) is one of the best bang for your buck cables out there.

I'll second this entire post.

The only thing I would say different is I'd recommend Kimber Hero's, as I've never heard the PBJ (although I'm sure they're faaabulous since I'm a Kimber fanboy).

[steveinaz]

Hero's are spendy though. I had PBJ's and replaced them with Hero. Was it worth the price?...errrr, maybe. The Hero just gives you a little more of what is so good about the PBJ.

[phuz]

Hero's are spendy though. I had PBJ's and replaced them with Hero. Was it worth the price?...errrr, maybe. The Hero just gives you a little more of what is so good about the PBJ.

True true. I'm not knocking the PBJ, I've just never heard them. I've compared the hero to many other cables (and compared 8tc to many other speaker cables) and I have to admit I haven't found anything better yet. I'm itching to try some KCAG but the cost is just nuts...

Back to the actual question: I'd say do main source to pre first, then pre to amp second.

Let us know what you pick and how it sounds!

[danger boy]

place them between the pre amp and power amp.. that's where I always notice the most change.

[Gaara]

What are you upgrading from? If you already have "high end cables" like the Kimber Heros then the conversation thus far is kinda pointless. If you are upgrading from say the cables that came in the box different story.

If you have multiple sources I would do pre->amp first to maximize your benefit.

[jabrax]

Upgrading from Monster ultra 600 purchased for 10 bucks a pair during closeout :)

I have them between the pre and amp, and cd to pre.
Using optics out of a oppo dvd for SACD

I was thinking of either upgrading the cd with better IC's or trying optics out and upgrading the ICs between amps.

If the deal goes through - I may have Mulvelings HGA silvers for a first pair

[steveinaz]

True true. I'm not knocking the PBJ, I've just never heard them. I've compared the hero to many other cables (and compared 8tc to many other speaker cables) and I have to admit I haven't found anything better yet. I'm itching to try some KCAG but the cost is just nuts...

Back to the actual question: I'd say do main source to pre first, then pre to amp second.

Let us know what you pick and how it sounds!

Me too! I love my hero/8TC combo and probably won't ever replace either.

[steveinaz]

Upgrading from Monster ultra 600 purchased for 10 bucks a pair during closeout :)

I have them between the pre and amp, and cd to pre.

I was thinking of either upgrading the cd with better IC's or trying optics out and upgrading the ICs between amps.

If you want to try a good Toslink for the CDP, Impact Acoustics makes a quartz-glass fiber cable that is very neutral/smooth. I ran this Toslink from my CDP to my Benchmark DAC, I really liked the results.

[venomclan]

The Kimbers are good, also check out some used Audioquest cables like the Diamondbacks.
Venom