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Replacing the Pre/Main Jumper on my Integrated Amplifier

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FrancisDumas

New Member
Hi forum members,
I recently bought a NAD C355BEE second hand and during my shopping I found a NAD video explaining the difference between the C316BEE and the C326BEE. The advisor was saying that the pre/main jumper was the biggest difference and that one thing that could be done to improve your system is to change the “U” jumper for a good pair of interconnect.

What I plan to do is to use a 3 inch section of an SL-Q2 turntable interconnect cable that I have and solder 4 good quality RCA jacks that I also have to it. Somewhere I read that turntable interconnect are generally good quality since they have to carry such a small signal so I figure it’s the perfect place to use that 3 inch cable that for some reason I did not throw in the garbage.

Did anyone changed their “U” pre/main bridge or did anyone made rca cables out of turntable interconnect? All feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Yes, audioquest makes a set of short jumper RCAs just for this and will clip you for 30 bucks for that option. Up to you to decide if that is a worthwhile change as with almost all wire and cable choices we argue about ad nauseum.
 
Replace the factory audio jumpers with upgraded interconnects to improve the sound... without any reference as to whether wire and cable choices make a difference or not.. this claim is over the top. Don't you just love promotional ads... I do from back when it contributed to easy sales. If a customer came in with that kind of question and I had some interconnects with package advertising claiming wonders in sound improvement... whose to argue with an expert, or a customer... the sale is made from the packaging.. and if there are several offerings, engage in 'thoughtful' discussion, but steer them into the one with the highest profit margin. That's just the way it works.
 
spicer said:
Replace the factory audio jumpers with upgraded interconnects to improve the sound... without any reference as to whether wire and cable choices make a difference or not.. this claim is over the top. Don't you just love promotional ads... I do from back when it contributed to easy sales. If a customer came in with that kind of question and I had some interconnects with package advertising claiming wonders in sound improvement... whose to argue with an expert, or a customer... the sale is made from the packaging.. and if there are several offerings, engage in 'thoughtful' discussion, but steer them into the one with the highest profit margin. That's just the way it works.
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Francis, please don't make life difficult for yourself trying to create something superior when it is not necessary. The original name for these little connectors are "horseshoe clips"...nothing more than two "U" shaped lengths of tubular metal (like a nail bent into a "U" shape). There are all kinds of three inch RCA plug interconnects for this very purpose available on Ebay for less than $10.00, and they work perfectly (I know this for a fact because I use them on my Nakamichi Receiver). Check it out.
 
Give it a try, using a nice set of regular interconnects and see if you hear a difference. enjoy it if you do, save the time and trouble of soldering up a 3" jumper from the phono cable if you don't. Because cables do make a difference, in all cases, because we can not see each electron traveling through the cable, you need to do this one to see if you hear a difference. Many can not. Many cite double, triple or everyone is blind tests to prove that the difference does not exist. I prefer to leave it up to the listener who may need to say he hears a difference to justify the cost, work or actually hears a difference. This one is all on you. Folks will argue til the thread gets closed because they have their opinion and of course, they are 100% correct, everyone else's opinion be damned.

Let us know when you find out Your answer.

I picked up a Pioneer SX-828 recently that has a switch installed to make and break the pre-power connection. works great, no jumpers needed, nice switch, too. Can I hear the difference, don't know, don't care, not going to test it.
 
Normally I don't go with any of the Cable Snake Oil stuff.

However, when I got my DBX 200 Program Route Selector I was frustrated with it due to a dramatic loss of volume from any Tape Deck or Processor that I attached to it. After cleaning the RCA plugs / trading out cables repeatedly I pulled the 4 U Clips, that bridge where a DBX NR is supposed to go, and replaced them with Radio Shack 3ft interconnects. The volume issue disappeared. I tried cleaning the RCA connections and U Clips with De-Oxit, but the problem returned whenever I put the clips in whatever combination with the cables that I could think of. Something about the clips was off.

I ordered up a pair of nice 15 inch interconnects from eBay for only a few $ and everything has been fine ever since.

Mark Gosdin
 
I have to wonder why a manufacturer would include a pair of links which would not bring out the best in their product. Considering the cost (to them) of providing what he's touting a superior solution would be minimal. I don't buy what he's selling, or what AA is selling.
 
abpeep said:
I've made the jumpers out of bare solid copper wire bought at Home Depot - just need to get the right diameter. They sounded better (than not having any jumpers).

Alan
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This must be with one of those marantz units that do not need jumpers as there is a switch built into the RCA jack for the preamp output that disconnects the pre-power connection.

Not really, I know you are calling any audible difference something you do not hear, or accept.
 
Blue Shadow said:
This must be with one of those marantz units that do not need jumpers as there is a switch built into the RCA jack for the preamp output that disconnects the pre-power connection.

Not really, I know you are calling any audible difference something you do not hear, or accept.
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Read a lot into a simple post.

Familiar with the Marantz switches. Not talking Marantz.

Actually, I'm saying that the copper wire jumpers (on not-Marantz piece, in case you forgot) sounded better than having no sound because the jumpers were lost...

Alan
 
abpeep said:
Read a lot into a simple post.

Familiar with the Marantz switches. Not talking Marantz.

Actually, I'm saying that the copper wire jumpers (on not-Marantz piece, in case you forgot) sounded better than having no sound because the jumpers were lost...

Alan
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Yes, but there was that Marantz that did not need jumpers and...but that is for another discussion.
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your views on the matter. I did some listening with 3 different jumpers. One decent pair of rca cables, one made of twisted Ethernet cable, and the originals jumpers.

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I listened to a few styles of music on loop, old school hip hop, disco and folk. My speakers are JBL L50 and my CD Player is Pioneer CDJ200.
The result of my listening is ... I can’t hear the difference. Maybe it could do a difference if I had better speaker and speaker cables but with a system under the $1000 mark I can’t hear it. So, I will put the original jumpers back in their holes and call it a day. I have to admit that it does not look like the best conductor material, maybe nickel plated, so I will keep an eye open for scraps of cupper wire 1/8” in diameter at my job, but for now this is good enough for me. That was a fun little test and I’m happy I did it. I hope it will help other people too.
 
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