New System Improvements

**iowahawk81** · July 4, 2022, 12:49 AM

I have recently bought a new stereo system over the last several months which includes a Cambridge Audio Evo 150, Fluance RT 85 turntable and most recently Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers. When I bought the speakers I was given a $550 dollar gift card to Upscale Audio.

My question is - is there anything that I could purchase with that gift card that might improve any my purchases? The dealer recommended an upgraded power cable and some Acoustic Gaia footers. However, not sure how much of an upgrade they might provide? Any other ideas would be great as well - I am willing to spend a bit more than the 550 dollar gift card as well.
Thanks

**brad225** · July 4, 2022, 09:50 AM

Welcome Iowa, Since it is a new system to you, this would be my approach.

I would spend some more time getting well acquainted with the differences from you last system.
Play with adjustments in your placement and room adjustments.
Only after you are intimately familiar with the sound will fine tuning be obvious and possibly noticeable.

Just my thoughts. I'm sure others will have others.
I'm guessing the Cornwall's sound pretty good already. I owned Herseys and corner horns at one time.

**jmusica** · July 4, 2022, 10:55 AM

What cables are you using now? Power, interconnects, speaker, ethernet. I've found that quality cabling often provides immediate benefit. Power conditioning, if you don't already have something, can also make an enormous difference.

Vibration control/isolation is another area to consider.

Nice system you've put together! I love the simplicity of it, and the looks.

**Mr Peabody** · July 4, 2022, 08:45 PM

Do you already have quality speakers cables?

**Mr Peabody** · July 4, 2022, 08:47 PM

If your only source is turntable you could get a streamer in order to listen to Tidal or Qobuz

**iowahawk81** · July 10, 2022, 03:14 AM

Thank you all for the suggestions thus far.

So far I have have the system for about 6 weeks up and running and have placement pretty well fined tuned.

As far as speaker cables I just have GearIt cheap cable from Amazon and no power conditioners or anything of that nature.

For the streaming the Cambridge Audio Evo does that and works well.

A couple of things I have looked would be a phono preamp as the sound from my turntable could be improved - or it sounds like perhaps looking at better speaker cables? Any recommendations in the 500 range? Several people have said they don't make a big difference from what I have read elsewhere?

Thanks

**stereogeek** · July 10, 2022, 09:03 AM

I would look at some lower priced cables from Cardas. If you can't find anything new in your price range you can always buy used. They will have a bit of a warmer sound which pairs well with horn speakers. Also, any power conditioning will probably be better than none at all. Good luck.

**Kingrex** · July 10, 2022, 10:43 AM

Good records

**jmusica** · July 10, 2022, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by stereogeek

I would look at some lower priced cables from Cardas. If you can't find anything new in your price range you can always buy used. They will have a bit of a warmer sound which pairs well with horn speakers. Also, any power conditioning will probably be better than none at all. Good luck.

Agree with this. Use your credit on some power conditioning, and find a way to buy some better used speaker cables.

Maybe something like this:

IsoTek EVO3 Mini Mira Power Conditioner – Upscale Audio

If you can add a little $, then this:

AudioQuest Niagara 1200 Low-Z Power/Noise-Dissipation System – Upscale Audio

Then look at interconnects, speaker cables, power cables, ethernet. None of what will make things sound better will have to break the bank, but you will likely notice a difference with each change (or just return it).

**Mike B.** · July 10, 2022, 01:51 PM

Is the credit card limited to purchases at Upscale?

**Mike** · July 10, 2022, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Is the credit card limited to purchases at Upscale?

God, I hope not.

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**jmusica** · July 10, 2022, 04:12 PM

He said gift card so I assumed so (Upscale).

Mike, if not, what do you recommend for him?

**Mikado463** · July 10, 2022, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by iowahawk81

Thank you all for the suggestions thus far.

So far I have have the system for about 6 weeks up and running and have placement pretty well fined tuned.

Excellent, now for a question, is it 'fine tuned' for your room as is ? perhaps a little acoustic help might be in order ?

As far as speaker cables I just have GearIt cheap cable from Amazon and no power conditioners or anything of that nature.

Assuming your GearIt speaker wire is 12 AWG you should be just fine.

A couple of things I have looked would be a phono preamp as the sound from my turntable could be improved

I'm not familiar with the phono stage in your Cambridge but if I had to guess I'd suspect your cartridge to be the weaker link.

or it sounds like perhaps looking at better speaker cables? Any recommendations in the 500 range? Several people have said they don't make a big difference from what I have read elsewhere?

Thanks

you have read correctly, assuming solid connections and proper gauge so as to minimize 'R'

**Mike** · July 10, 2022, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by jmusica

He said gift card so I assumed so (Upscale).

Mike, if not, what do you recommend for him?

All vendors using a proper POS might be able to accept a gift card (ie VISA gift card).

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**brad225** · July 10, 2022, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

God, I hope not.

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I understand, but, in Kevin's defense, he was the only one recently I trusted to get me 38 KT120 bias matched tubes for the upgrade of my 610T's.

Though the sales person did laugh when I said I needed 38 of them.

**iowahawk81** · July 11, 2022, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Is the credit card limited to purchases at Upscale?

Yes, the gift card is limited to only Upscale Audio.

**Mordante** · July 11, 2022, 03:07 AM

I'd be very careful when investigating in cables or power conditioners. Try before you buy. I get good results from power cables and power conditioners. Interconnect from pre amp to power amps is in MY setup the least critical cable. But it's different for all systems.

My number one advice would be to buy a streamer with a build in DAC for Qobuz.

Also invite a friend over with good ears and play around with speaker placement.

PS.
Don't forget about room accoustics.

**Mr Peabody** · July 11, 2022, 03:58 PM

Cables is a constant debate but those who claim no difference haven't tried. If you live close to St. Louis I'd lend you a set. The only way to know for sure is to try for yourself, I'm sure Upscale would sell with a return if not satisfied. If willing to spend out of pocket a reasonable cable that would provide improvement is Bluejeans. Not on par perhaps with Cardas but it wouldn't cost a fortune to experiment.

For best streaming experience subscribe to one of the CD or better services like Tidal, Qobuz or even Amazon.

For analog I'd guess the Cambridge has a decent phono stage, there's always better, but as already suggested I'd as well try a step up in cartridge first.

Originally Posted by iowahawk81

Thank you all for the suggestions thus far.

So far I have have the system for about 6 weeks up and running and have placement pretty well fined tuned.

As far as speaker cables I just have GearIt cheap cable from Amazon and no power conditioners or anything of that nature.

For the streaming the Cambridge Audio Evo does that and works well.

A couple of things I have looked would be a phono preamp as the sound from my turntable could be improved - or it sounds like perhaps looking at better speaker cables? Any recommendations in the 500 range? Several people have said they don't make a big difference from what I have read elsewhere?

Thanks

**iowahawk81** · July 12, 2022, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Cables is a constant debate but those who claim no difference haven't tried. If you live close to St. Louis I'd lend you a set. The only way to know for sure is to try for yourself, I'm sure Upscale would sell with a return if not satisfied. If willing to spend out of pocket a reasonable cable that would provide improvement is Bluejeans. Not on par perhaps with Cardas but it wouldn't cost a fortune to experiment.

For best streaming experience subscribe to one of the CD or better services like Tidal, Qobuz or even Amazon.

For analog I'd guess the Cambridge has a decent phono stage, there's always better, but as already suggested I'd as well try a step up in cartridge first.

I have subscribed to Tidal (got it free for 4 months) and when that is done I have a 2 month Qobuz trial to try - I have been surprised at how much better I like Tidal than Apple Music.

Looking at what they have on the Upscale site it looks like Audioquest speaker cable dominate the 400-600 range on that site. I have also looked at phono cartridges. My turntable came with a Ortofon 2M blue - I have looked at the Ortofon black. Also open to suggestions as long it would fit my current turntable - Fluance RT85.

thanks

**Mr Peabody** · July 13, 2022, 02:24 PM

I personally like Ortofon, the Black is quite good. I don't know enough about your table to suggest anything different.

I'm not that familiar with Audioquest. I got my USB cable with my ACS10, I have compared it to a couple of other brands and I prefer the AQ.

Have you looked at Bluejeans cables? If you can swing their cables you could use the gift card for the cart and upgrade two areas. Just do one at a time in order to hear what each
change does.

I've compared the BJC interconnects to other brands but never had the speaker cables. I liked the BJC better than an old set of XLO, BJC held it's own with entry Transparent, that would come down to preference, my take is the BJC was some better in midrange but Transparent was more extended on the top and better bass. In short for what BJC costs it's a good value. The BJC was noticeably better than Monster and some other generic stuff I had on hand, clearly better.

**Mike B.** · July 13, 2022, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Is the credit card limited to purchases at Upscale?

Only good at Upscale so in affect Deal gets half of it back on mark up. Hell of a deal

**Mike** · July 13, 2022, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Only good at Upscale so in affect Deal gets half of it back on mark up. Hell of a deal

Can we please not mention him on this website? I have my reasons.

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