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Is it extra gain or two matched cables or both that improve the sound ?

When I route the signal from phono to deck and then to integrated I get overall better fuller sound than when doing it normally from phono to integrated.
System: Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm/Goldring 1042 cartridge; Acoustech phono, Nakamichi 682ZX deck, Redgum 120 RGi integrated; Michael Green Revolution 80i speakers. Cables - Purist Audio; Colossus ferox from phono, Maximus ferox from deck, Colossus fluid to speakers.
I tried it all three ways - from phono to integrated with Colossus, from phono to integrated with Maximus, and from phono to deck with Colossus plus from deck to integrated with Maximus.
When I run it thru deck I do lose some resolution, especially in high frequences, compared to running directly with Colossus, but I gain more weight and better balance in sound. Now, Colossus is silver or almost entirely silver cable, Maximus is a mostly copper alloy.
The deck's output is set at or near max, I use input recording level as a volume control. Amp's volume control is set at 9, and I don't usually touch it - no need.
Grado has 6.5 mv output, Acoustech's gain is set at 46db, I think. No idea of the Redgum's preamp gain setting.
So, overall the best sound is achieved when running phono/Colossus/deck/Maximus chain. Second best - phono/Maximus. Third best - phono/Colossus.
It does appear that those excellent Purist cables compliment each other. I talked to Jim, Purist's designer, about the cables, and he said yeah, Colossus has higher resolution but Maximus gives richer sound.
But I think that may not be all, the deck does something too. And what if I don't have enough gain in the preamp section? I record to deck from time to time directly from phono with the Colossus, and the sound is superb for a cassette. Recorded with Colossus, played with Maximus.
What do you think?

inna
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rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear @stevecham : """ system context """. Your digital example belongs to a different " system context " where your music/sounds priorities are included.

That " system context " you touted is way different that makes that a delicate/sensible cartridge signal instead to pass ( only as example. ) for one link make that pass through 3 overall links.

Please explain how is that that cartridge signal instead to suffer more degradation been " up-graded " with a better sounds?

Did you really analysed the OP " system context " and what is happenning with that cartridge signal ? if yes then is not " weird " that Wilson speakers are not for you as you posted somewhere.

In the other side, I’m not telling if something is wrong or not only what in reality is happening and if you as the OP are happy good for you and good that your priorities coincide with the OP ones.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.


inna OP
5,245 posts
 
Steve, that's exactly what I was thinking just not in exact words that you used. Not sure why but I tend to think that my Redgum integrated has a better power amp section than preamp section, at least for my system. This does get interesting. How could I prove or disprove it? There is no way to separate them. No other higher end equipment on hand to experiment with. But yes, it sounds good as it is, no concerns. I started this thread mostly to share the experience.
inna OP
5,245 posts
 
Some people just don't understand normal language, free world or not, or any language at all.
inna OP
5,245 posts
 
Forgot to mention, I recently got PS Audio PPP regenerator and plugged everything in it. It really cleans up the currect and stabilizes the voltage, no dynamics restriction in my system. So now you can hear even better the differences of various configurations.
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cleeds
2,065 posts
 
  rauliruegas
This is a totally free world, like it or not.
I wish you were correct, Raul, but your couldn't be further from the truth if you tried.
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