 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
96.8.132.45
I wanted to post that sometimes the quest for a higher level of sound quality leads nowhere but sometimes you're rewarded with real improvements.Specifically, I stream Qobuz/HQ Player from a perfectly good SoTM SMS200 Ultra Neo network streamer into a perfect wonderful Chord Hugo TT2 DAC. Like many of you I wonder... is there better SQ with "this" gear.
I bought some tweaky things that did nothing and then I heard that maybe it's the USB input holding me back. One of the failings of the SMS200 Ultra Neo is that USB is the only output. So, I purchased an Audiowise SRC-DX, a usb-to-dual bnc converter. Suddenly Wow. This is not just different, but it's better. S/PDIF into the Hugo TT2 sounds better than USB. Why didn't I know that?
OK, if that's better what about the USB cable between the SoTM and the SRC-DX? That can't make a difference, can it? I got a deal on a better usb cable and yes, instant improvement. OK, lets jump much higher. I lucked into a $700 USB cable for $300. And, again instantly better SQ! USB Cables matter. Who knew? I know there are dozens of other "great" USB cables but I can't try them all.
So, don't give up your search to find better SQ. I'm no spring chicken, I've been at this since 1967, so, I'm sure there is even better sound out there. But I'll stop right here for now.
Edits: 03/29/24 03/29/24Follow Ups:
I'm in need of a new USB cable. What did you get? Thanks.
NT
It looks like the AQ "Diamond" products have been discontinued, the best available today is the "Vodka"........
I tried the "Vodka" optical cables, but prefer the DH Labs Glassmaster.
The Audioquest Diamond is still the top of the line for USB A to B cables. I do know they dropped that naming for some of their other cables. Such as the Optical cable you mentioned.
As I said, I was not a believer in noticeable changes in sound from different USB cables.
Long ago I bought the 2nd cheapest AQ USB the "Forest" green USB cable. It was fine. Nothing special. I've used it for maybe 6-years or more.
Last month I found a used AQ Carbon USB .75m for a little over $100. So, why not? The Carbon is like 2 models above the Forest I was using. I expected zero difference. But I could spend $100 to prove that better SQ was not a product of better USB cables. I was very surprised that it was instantly noticeably better sounding. Naturally, if that was the case what about better still??
I have ready many reviews of all manner of different brands of cables and there seem to be a zillion choices. There were a couple of $400 cables that had glowing online reviews ( i.e. Tubulus Concentus and Curious, etc ) but I just didn't have a lot of trust in these. I do know that a lot of reviewers have raved about the AQ Diamond products, in general. But the Diamond USB retails for like $699 and up. I found used examples for $450-$500.
I decided to wait. Then on A'gon I found a guy selling a used Diamond with a "best offer" option and I pitched him a lower price that would be easier to for me to swallow as a test.
I unplugged the Carbon USB and plugged in the Diamond and again, instantly there was an improved clarity, a definition around notes, cymbals and an overall tightening of the presentation. A shocking amount of improvement.
Of course, I still wonder about those other USB cables are they better???? But I'm not going to go down that rabbit hole.
.
The guys I know that use USB input use the Final Touch Audio (FTA). Not cheap but they have tried dozens of these things and find the FTAs to be the best for USB.
There are zillions of boutique and "game changing" cable brands out there. One can not try them all unless funds are unlimited.
I have no doubt the FTA USB is a great cable - but then, no one can say with absolute assurance what the "best" is.
Buy the best you can afford that works with your system and ENJOY.
Just relaying the experience of a lot of USB using audiophiles in the middle of Europe. They didnt't try everything but a pretty decent subset (like 30 or more I would say).
Just trying to give you an idea of what to try.
Money being unlimited is not a constraint, but TIME is limited for all, and I can hardly think of a bigger waste of time than listening for differences between USB Cables.
If the cable doesn't matter, just wondering, do you think the USB source computer/server/stream hardware quality matters? I got the feeling you did, such as your point that RPis have a stripped down operating system.
I've only tried three USB A-to-B cables... a Cardas basic cable (~$100), an iFi ~$100 cable, and this custom cable by Igor Kuznetsoff, who did all the mods to my equipment. He charged me $600 for his custom cable.
There is a dramatic difference with the custom cable. It's not small.
My theory is that every cable in the system matters. I don't know why that is, but cable seems to affect the performance of the entire system for good or ill. Yes, I've heard dramatic differences with Igor's power cords, too.
maybe because you haven't tried it. I don't like rolling cables any more than you do; however, as much as i tried to dismiss it there is a clear improvement to be had by finding a top cable.
| FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
