Thanks for the input Old Audiophile…that was one of my thoughts as well. Although I don’t know how much just the CD transport and laser can effect the sound. Im going from the Sony “digital out” to the Modi DAC to the amp. I was looking at Rotel cd11 tribute and read several reviews. One of them was saying how the SQ improved with each upgrade in the various components as they were testing it with different levels of DACs, amps and speakers. Most CDs are 16/44.1 so not a super high data rate. But obviously good enough to make descendant sound. I guess just because I don’t see how the transport can have a tremendous effect on SQ doesn’t mean it doesn’t.
At any rate…Happy Holy Days

Thanks Bluesdog, gives me more options. I’ve been thinking about getting an extra set of RCA cables. I’ll have to read the review you suggested about this speakerwires. That would also be an inexpensive upgrade.

Well I just ordered Kimber's PBJ interconnect. Just got done reading a review on these in the stereophile.com sight. The reviewer said they were better than any other interconnect he has tried except for his silver KCAG…but they were very close.
We will see how they do when they get here…also been looking for a descent price on a used Cambridge CXC transport to add into the system.
First the interconnect.

Well the cables shipped yesterday. They are to be here Friday.
I will give them a good listen for at least a week (not sure if cables need to burn in) and then do an update on sound difference between these and my nondescript cables.
Unless of course the difference is so obvious you can’t mis it. Then I will report back sooner.

So…the USPS being what it is the cables were scheduled 12/31…arrived 1/5…so late on the update.
So the PBJs are plugged into the amp from the Modi3+, which in turn comes from the Sony via coax cable (blue jeans).
Then the Sony is also playing to the amp via analog out cables.
This is not an A/B test and I’m not going to plug and unplug the PBJs .
What I can say so far is…there is very little difference from one to the other. If I strain my brain and my ear maybe, just maybe the soundstage is a little deeper, maybe.
At this point I would say the $120. Would have been better spent on upgrading the DAC, again, maybe.
I’m going to keep listening, maybe the cables need to burn in, and report back in a week or two.
This also has me questioning whether or no spending $600 on an audio lab 6000cdt will give a similar or rather lack of improvement.
I’m not an audiophile, I’m old, probably hearing loss, don’t even know what to listen for. But my system doesn’t sound all that bad to me.

Thanks for your thought and comments Kal and manunkind. At the moment I am quite satisfied with the sound of my system. The sound staging and imaging are both good with well mastered CDs. The Klipsch play clear and neutral and stay together as loud as I can stand playing Metallica or Santana. Listening to Nora Jones at the moment and she has a smoky, airy sensual voice.
I guess I’ll have to wait a while for that “three D holographic soundstage” experience that I read and hear talked about by some audiophiles.
I’m thinking maybe a DIY speaker kit, maybe the NX Studio Monitor, down the road a ways. And then maybe a better DAC.
My wife and I raised 5 girls, weddings, college, etc. and I really never had a descent stereo system.
The system I have now is better than I’ve ever had.
But there is always room for improvement. The audio bug has bitten.

Thanks, I appreciate the input. But I am not plugging and unplugging these PBJ interconnect cables. They are new, I plugged them into the DAC analog out to the Yamaha amp. I also have the analog out from the Sony going to the amp. So now just playing music and letting the interconnects break in. When they were brand new I could tell no difference in sound quality switching between the two channels. Listening to Nora Jones CD and switching between the channels today I noticed she was a little more forward with analog coming from the CD player compared to going through the Modi 3+. She seemed more well placed on/in the sound stage through the DAC. That could be due to the new interconnects or the DAC or a combination of the two verses direct from the Sony. Just going to listen and compare some more as they break in. More updates coming.

Thanks Bluesdog, wouldn’t trade those girls and the experience raising them for anything. Family first. Anyway I’ve been listening to the regular cheap audio cables and the PBJs using the remote. Still can’t tell much difference. If I listen really hard maybe the sound stage might be just slightly more composed, maybe.
Anyway, my system is probably of not enough refinement for cables to make a noticeable difference so I’m proceeding in a new direction.
Between speakers and/or DACS and room treatment could I make the most gain? Right now I’m thinking of a really good DAC (Denafrep ares 2) or building the GR Research NX Studio monitor.
The room treatments may not have as big an impact as our livin/listening room is 25’ wide with a thick heavy rug on the froor, long curtains and open to the kitchen on one end and open to the living dining area on the other. Heavy blanket on the sofa at the listening sweet spot.
So better speakers or better DAC that is the question.

Thanks for the input Notreallyhere…I’m took your advice and started with tuning the room, moving the speakers around, changing the toe in from crossing just in front of me to almost straight into the room. The Klipsch rp 150ms project up, I leveled them (they come with a base that tilts them back a few degrees so they project slightly upwards). I stuffed a folded sock into the port on both. Anyway after some experimenting I’m liking the music better. Better sound stage, less bottom bloat…all around better.
I’m an old guy and just don’t think I want to stream. I like my CDs, I have a few and pick up a new one every now and then.
Just going to enjoy what I have right now. But…going to save up to get the GR Research NX Studio down the road, I want to hear what Open Baffle sounds like. (It is a DIY kit)
Sealed woofer, open baffle tweeter.
Listening to Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” right now, what a great album.
Thanks again to everyone for their comments and recommendations.

Never got to Saigon. I was Navy, mostly off shore. Danang Harbour once.
Been rethinking the speakers since GR research is still having problems sourcing parts I’ve heard good things about CSS audio 1TD-X speakers.
I adjusted my sub gain down a few clicks and raised the low pass from 60 to 80 db. That seems to have integrated the sound a little more.
I have one CD where the the sound stage is huge. There is sound coming from my left speaker, if I close my eyes and turn my head towards the sound then open my eyes I am looking about 6-8 feet outside of the speaker. The right side too but not to that extreme, maybe just outside of the speaker. Probably my right ear has more hearing loss than the left.
Any way CSS 1TD-X build from scratch (spent 15 years as a carpenter). They have some glowing reviews. We will see.
Room placement and directivity definitely have an effect, as does sub blending.

Me too, I’m reevaluating my cheapness. I’m with MattJ, speakers are where I’ve been focusing. I was thinking of spending $750 on a speaker kit…who was I kidding, I’m the Cheapaudioman. So I found on line a schematic for my Klipsch rp 150ms and ordered the parts upgraded to Jantzen capacitors and Solen 14guage air core inducters. The whole Klipsch crossover only has 5 components. 2 inducters, 2 capacitors and 1 resistor. The Klipsch crossover is mounted on the back of the plastic cup that hold the hookup posts fastened to the back of the cabinet and is so small it comes out of that small opening when you take that cover off.

Anyway the parts I ordered were 2 Jantzen Superior Z caps for the tweeter, 2 Jantzen Cross Caps for the woofer, Mundorf resisters and the two air core inductors. Then I ordered some No Rez from Danny.

All told about $285 +/-. I cleaned out the inside of the cabinet from gobs of glue here and there holding the fiber fill sheet which was wrapped around the inside. Then added a dowel cross brace to one cabinet but forgot to do the other cause I was so excited about getting the cabinet done and running.
I built the crossover for one speaker only fist in case there was a problem. I had never built a cross over before. With the new components and built as snug as possible thr new cross over takes up the entire bottom of the cabinet. There was maybe an 1/8 inch of play front to back.and not much more side to side due to some corner bracing strips. I’m going to sign off for now but will be back tomorrow with some details.

Low mass, portable battery powered, headphones is all good…if your house stereo, dvd, TV movies with more than one person listening were not running through it, like mine.
Back to my speaker upgrade. This was the lowest cost option for improved sound. Verses new $750 to $1000 dollar new speakers or DIY kits.
I will say that along with the No-Rez I put Dyna-matt on each of the speaker basket struts.
I will say with the sound deadening of the cabinets plus’s the cross over component upgrade the sound has improved…! A lot.
I had no problem with the sound signature of the Klipsch rp 150m speakers. Some people don’t like the emphasis on the treble but being 70+ that part of my hearing range probably needs some help any way. So my goal was to tighten up the bass and maybe improve the overall experience.
Well I will say this project turned out great.
The sound stage used to be for the most part between the speakers with an occasional well mastered CD extending outside of the left speaker. Now the whole front of our room is a huge sound stage. Unless it is a particularly badly mastered CD.
Imaging is great. The Bass has tightened up. Voices seem more present, fuller, richer. Nora Jones always sounded good on the Klipsch but her voice was a little thin. It has become richer. Casey Abrams Jazz CD he plays standup bass, it is again more present, fuller, defined. Play Elvis’s Ultimate Gospel CD and wow, sound stage, rich voice, backup singers are almost in the room.
Sax was good before but now put on some Coltrane and Wow, rich, saxy.
Basically in all respects they are better speakers. For the around $300 upgrade I am totally thrilled.
I will have to hear something really special to get me to want to spend more on speakers.

Well, been enjoying the upgraded speakers and just for fun decided to hang some doubled up heavy towels behind the speakers to see if wall treatments would make things even better. Low and behold the answer is yes. Cleaned up the reflections from the front wall. I was not even aware these reflection existed. But with the acoustic wall treatment it seamed the music was cleaner. The soundstage also seemed the tighten up.
Anyway I’m going to get or make some sound panels for behind the speakers and maybe some for behind my listening area. Maybe a nice thick quilt/wall hanging. Tapestry.