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Where to use a good IC.

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Posted on October 9, 2016 at 17:10:49
claud
Audiophile

Posts: 958
Location: North Carolina
Joined: February 13, 2001
 Got a new TG Audio Hi Purity IC from Frank. I have one on my CDP and it is a killer. I think I should use it on my phono pre to my preamp, but also thinking about preamp to amp. My system is mostly Cary, Minimax phono and Rega P25. What do you guys think?

 

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Try it out in both places. Decide by listening... not theory., posted on October 10, 2016 at 10:11:31
Smelly_Socks
 Like when I bought some more power cords.. So some were 'regular' and some 'upgraded/deluxe" versions.
The only way to decide was to try out the powercords in various places.
I was surprised where some upgraded ones were best! And where they made the sound worse...


In the same way, trying out for yourself is the only way.
One suggestion is to place your new cord in the current one's position. and use the old better one to experiment.
Then you are testing with a well broken in IC... Instead of a brand new one. (You already know about that position and the better IC benefits there)

I recently bought a new IC, liked it and have more on the way.
I plan to check out where the new ones could work out best.

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 10:57:22
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1933
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
I'd say it had always proven ( in my case ) to use ones best ICs on their source components, or at least the ones closest to it, namely ones DAC into integrated or preamp, followed by turntables which allow them to be used directly into their phono-stage, followed by said phono-stage into ones preamp or integrated.

As I've found the more capable ICs, seemingly present everything downstream, as well as makes of breaks the fundamental signature of the entire system, as the very last IC ( once again the one nearest the source ) works in tandem with the sonics of ones speaker cables ( which could best match ones amp and speakers to begin with ) and then finalize its voicing with said main IC.

Just food for thought.......

 

Agreed: Spoken like a true empiricist! (nt), posted on October 10, 2016 at 11:48:07
DeeCee
Audiophile

Posts: 769
Joined: July 6, 2001
 .

 

true empiricist? Only sometimes... When I bought my latest cable, it was totally 'theory' that made me buy...., posted on October 10, 2016 at 13:13:12
Smelly_Socks
 Since I am not a billionaire... I could not actually try all the cables available.
I decided to go with:
Similar to what worked well in the past: Kimber Hero..
Just better.
So the next step up in 'similar but better'according to Kimber blurb..: Kimber KS1116

All theory, no data. SAD...
It worked THIS TIME... Last time it failed miserably.. The curse of "guessing by blurb.. " LOL

And it IS true one can try cables out at TheCableCo, but then that is only a one or two meter IC.. Not the seven meter IC I needed.

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 13:23:22
claud
Audiophile

Posts: 958
Location: North Carolina
Joined: February 13, 2001
 So, it would seem logical to try it on my phono pre to my regular preamp. My turntable is a Rega P25 and has its own attached ICs, or I would use them there.

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 14:36:08
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 When it comes to choosing where to place any cable, whether an entry level or a true high end cable, synergy tends to be the deciding factor rather than in what order a cable is placed within the signal chain. Perhaps one cable vs. the other improves or enhances the I/O interface of one component vs. another. The notion that a source component output stage is somehow more important than a preamplifier output stage which ultimately presents the signal to the power amplifier input stage does not stand as a hard rule, IME. I recommend trying all configurations possible, and choose the configuration that sounds best to your own ear, within your own particular system. Another matter to consider is experimenting with power cord swaps along with the interconnect swaps to further hear if synergy of one configuration vs. another is preferable, to your ear.

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 14:51:25
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1933
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003

Yes......., this would be the proper place to put it.

If you placed it further downstream, like say between your preamp | power amp, you'd then be hearing the sonics of a cheaper cable passed onto it from said phono-stage, the logical concept is based upon getting a much information from the source component as possible, as trying to recapture it further downstream is unlikely, as it becomes more and more filtered and therefore lack the sense of resolution and transparency needed to bring about the emotional aspects within the notes themselves.

Happy Listening........

 

What Duster said ^^^ nt, posted on October 10, 2016 at 15:27:00
Smelly_Socks
 .

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 16:57:46
bcowen
Audiophile

Posts: 1076
Location: North Carolina
Joined: December 19, 2015
 Agree wholeheartedly with the advice to use it where it sounds best. But make sure you get it fully broken in before you start experimenting or you won't get an accurate impression. If you don't want the whole system powered up playing unheard tunes, put it (temporarily) between the CDP and pre, and then let the player run on repeat for 100 hours or more.

Or you could get a Cable Cooker and make it easier. :)

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 17:37:15
claud
Audiophile

Posts: 958
Location: North Carolina
Joined: February 13, 2001
 Or you could buy a TG Audio Hi Purity IC from Frank or buy a used one. Either way you will get a fully cooked IC. Bob used to break them in before sale and Frank told me when he put mine on the Cable Cooker.

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 10, 2016 at 18:33:42
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 I'm always glad to see Bob Crump's cable legacy staying alive in AA.

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 11, 2016 at 11:49:39
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 claud-
place the IC in both considered places. Certainly you want it in the best position possible. I am thinking preamp to power amp.

Keep us posted and Happy Listening!

 

RE: Where to use a good IC., posted on October 16, 2016 at 17:36:21
Chris K.
Audiophile

Posts: 400
Location: West Central Florida
Joined: August 15, 2001
 I concur with Duster and the other views. I've been swapping my interconnects and power cords around to determine the best synergy. In general, the source component is usually the best spot, but that's not a hard rule. Just today, I swapped the order of two of my interconnects in my digital chain and there is a very clear and audible difference.

 

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