Which component will benefit most from a new PC?

[thedudeabides]

Posted this in the Shunyata section but maybe I'll get more info posting here.

Will be adding three new PC's to my system over the next year or so. Amp, Pre, and CDP.

How would you prioritize the sequence and why within the "bang for the buck" context?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Barry2013]

My approach when upgrading PCs was to start with my integrated amp on the logic that the benefits are shared with all the sources and with pre/power set ups that would lead me to prioritising the power amp over the pre amp.
I recently upgraded the power cable on my Audience Aspect 8 to the AU 24SE together with a new Furutech plug and a Phonosophie Gold Fuse and those upgrades really benefitted the whole system. Cured my scepticism of highend fuses. Something you may like to consider though I don't have any experience of Shunyata and others who do may be a better guide.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

obviously the thing to do is try the single new power cord in each position and decide for yourself.....as I can make a case for all three as most ideal.

OTOH if I were forced to choose my experience tells me that the closer to the source you go the bigger the bang in terms of power cords and interconnects. if you have a tt then the phono cable makes multiples more difference (and the phono stage power cord becomes most significant PC) than any other cable feeding downstream the best possible signal to start with results in the best sound at the end. resolution or musical goodness once diminished at the source can never be recaptured, and at the source a better power cord can have significant effect on pace and flow. also the source typically will have the weakest output signal which is most vulnerable.

if you have multiple sources that changes things and my next priority would be the preamp. same logic applies......

my thoughts above are very general and I know of cases where an amplifier was radically changed by power cords.

 

[microstrip]

Although the best advice is Mike's one - trying - considering your system we can make a guess. The factory supplied hospital grade power cords coming with cj equipment are particularly good for their equipment, I would keep it for the last one. Between the Pass power amplifier and Cary cd player I would put the new power cord in the CD player.

 

[Hew]

My Pass amp was the least responsive to power cord change. Depended on the power cord of course.

 

[rockitman]

Main preamp gets my vote if I had to choose.