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Thread: Cable opinions?

  1. #1
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    Cable opinions?

    In your opinion, which might give better performance?

    3M AudioQuest Diamond USB cable from computer to DAC, with 1.5 M balanced Duelund XLR IC cable from DAC to preamp, or 1.5 M AudioQuest Diamond USB cable from computer to DAC & 3M balanced Duelund XLR IC cable from DAC to preamp.
    DPT4ME - Dynamics, Presence & Tone for Musical Engagement; MBP (3) - stripped down for music only; Shunyata Omega & Sigma USBs; ISO REGEN w/short Curious USB links; Berkeley Alpha USB; Aqua La Scala II Optologic DAC; Schiit Yggdrasil - fully updated; Ayre Codex dac - updated; Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp; Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE-2 preamp, Quicksilver Mono 120 amps w/Tung-Sol KT150s; Quicksilver Mid Mono amps w/Gold Lion KT77s; Fyne Audio 703s; Symposium Svelte Plus & Ultra Platforms; REL S-812 subwoofers; Duelund DCA12GA speaker cables; AV Room Service EVPs, Stein Music Harmonizers, Duelund DCA16GA & 20GA ICs; Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2; Tripp Lite PCs; Wyred 4 Sound power cords; AudioDharma cable cooker; dedicated custom room; various GIK & ASC room treatments; etc.

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  2. #2
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    I would think option two and it would be cheaper too.
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  3. #3
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    You need to try each option. Only your ears can tell which works best with your system.
    Bud

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  4. #4

    Cable opinions?

    Shorter cables usually recommended, except for power.


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  5. #5
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Thanks for the replies! Of course, I know that the issue can best be resolved by listening, but it’s exceedingly difficult to easily reach & change out the cables. Plus, I don’t have everything on hand to make the swap. I guess that if I decided to try it out, I was looking for backup before spending the money and losing half a day.
    DPT4ME - Dynamics, Presence & Tone for Musical Engagement; MBP (3) - stripped down for music only; Shunyata Omega & Sigma USBs; ISO REGEN w/short Curious USB links; Berkeley Alpha USB; Aqua La Scala II Optologic DAC; Schiit Yggdrasil - fully updated; Ayre Codex dac - updated; Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp; Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE-2 preamp, Quicksilver Mono 120 amps w/Tung-Sol KT150s; Quicksilver Mid Mono amps w/Gold Lion KT77s; Fyne Audio 703s; Symposium Svelte Plus & Ultra Platforms; REL S-812 subwoofers; Duelund DCA12GA speaker cables; AV Room Service EVPs, Stein Music Harmonizers, Duelund DCA16GA & 20GA ICs; Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2; Tripp Lite PCs; Wyred 4 Sound power cords; AudioDharma cable cooker; dedicated custom room; various GIK & ASC room treatments; etc.

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  6. #6
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    i d say the difference wont make a real difference.
    however, does the question include changing distances between the units?
    the further the pc is away the better to some belive

  7. #7
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Thanks! That’s a significant aspect. IMO, Whenever possible, it’s best to keep the computer 15’ or so away from the main electronics.
    DPT4ME - Dynamics, Presence & Tone for Musical Engagement; MBP (3) - stripped down for music only; Shunyata Omega & Sigma USBs; ISO REGEN w/short Curious USB links; Berkeley Alpha USB; Aqua La Scala II Optologic DAC; Schiit Yggdrasil - fully updated; Ayre Codex dac - updated; Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp; Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE-2 preamp, Quicksilver Mono 120 amps w/Tung-Sol KT150s; Quicksilver Mid Mono amps w/Gold Lion KT77s; Fyne Audio 703s; Symposium Svelte Plus & Ultra Platforms; REL S-812 subwoofers; Duelund DCA12GA speaker cables; AV Room Service EVPs, Stein Music Harmonizers, Duelund DCA16GA & 20GA ICs; Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2; Tripp Lite PCs; Wyred 4 Sound power cords; AudioDharma cable cooker; dedicated custom room; various GIK & ASC room treatments; etc.

    www.getbettersound.com

  8. #8
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Given Audioquests prior USB manipulating I wouldn't trust 'em for as far as I could throw 'em.
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  9. #9
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    Given Audioquests prior USB manipulating I wouldn't trust 'em for as far as I could throw 'em.
    Say what? I haven’t heard anything about this. Did it come from the guy over at audioholics? He has an ongoing beef with AudioQuest I just don’t understand.
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Say what? I haven’t heard anything about this. Did it come from the guy over at audioholics? He has an ongoing beef with AudioQuest I just don’t understand.
    oops, my bad, it was HDMI cables ...........

    AudioQuest HDMI Cables | Real HD-Audio
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  11. #11
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    oops, my bad, it was HDMI cables ...........

    AudioQuest HDMI Cables | Real HD-Audio
    I would take anything Waldrip says with a grain of salt. As for HDMI, I don’t really care too much. Although, I did buy AQ diamond HDMI’s for my HT. I figured, I’ve spent this much, why stop now? What made a bigger difference for the video was going from my Oppo 205 to the Panasonic 9000. Holy camoly. Like getting a new projector and I thought the Oppo 205 was the bees knees.


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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    What made a bigger difference for the video was going from my Oppo 205 to the Panasonic 9000. Holy camoly. Like getting a new projector and I thought the Oppo 205 was the bees knees.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    I'd have to agree. I had an Oppo 203 in my UHD system (which I've seen side by side on video with the 205 a while back and video wise I couldn't see a difference) and the picture was definitely better. I don't use the UHD system much for music (maybe a few times/year) but I was shocked when I swapped out the players (the Panasonic UB9000 is great playing files vs. the Oppo 203). The DS Audio App which came with my Synology NAS can control it. Even though I don't use the UHD system much for music after the Panasonic went in I removed my iFi Tube Buffer 2 (since sold it) and the DAC I had in there. The Panasonic has 6 different settings to simulate different types of tube outputs. For its price point, the Panasonic is a good CD player too (unlike the Oppo it doesn't play SACDs or DVD-As but will play quad DSD files).
    Main System - Lumin U2, Modwright LS36.5 DM Preamp, VTV Purifi 1ET-7040SA with tube buffer, EMM Labs DAC 2X (ver. 2), Torus RM-20, Thiel CS 3.7s, 2 Rel S/812 subs
    Back-up 1 - Premium Audio mini Gan Amp, Oppo 103D, 2 Richard Gray cond, Selah SA-2s, Sumiko S5 sub, Teac UD-503 DAC, Carver (modded) C-9
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  13. #13
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    oops, my bad, it was HDMI cables ...........

    AudioQuest HDMI Cables | Real HD-Audio
    William E. Low, CEO and founder of AudioQuest, responded on this topic with an open letter via Stereophile. The summary is that Low believes that Mark Waldrep and amrim did indeed identify malfeasance. But the malfeasance was not by AudioQuest, and they did not produce or post the video themselves. I never heard anything else afterwards (maybe I missed it) so I don't know if investigations by AudioQuest were able to get any farther.

    "Until we learn more, and until proven otherwise, our operative assumption is that Mark is the good guy, that AudioQuest is the victim, and that the perpetrators need to be censored." - William E. Low
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  14. #14
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by NekoAudio View Post
    William E. Low, CEO and founder of AudioQuest, responded on this topic with an open letter via Stereophile. The summary is that Low believes that Mark Waldrep and amrim did indeed identify malfeasance. But the malfeasance was not by AudioQuest, and they did not produce or post the video themselves. I never heard anything else afterwards (maybe I missed it) so I don't know if investigations by AudioQuest were able to get any farther.

    "Until we learn more, and until proven otherwise, our operative assumption is that Mark is the good guy, that AudioQuest is the victim, and that the perpetrators need to be censored." - William E. Low
    Very good to read!!


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil A View Post
    I'd have to agree. I had an Oppo 203 in my UHD system (which I've seen side by side on video with the 205 a while back and video wise I couldn't see a difference) and the picture was definitely better. I don't use the UHD system much for music (maybe a few times/year) but I was shocked when I swapped out the players (the Panasonic UB9000 is great playing files vs. the Oppo 203). The DS Audio App which came with my Synology NAS can control it. Even though I don't use the UHD system much for music after the Panasonic went in I removed my iFi Tube Buffer 2 (since sold it) and the DAC I had in there. The Panasonic has 6 different settings to simulate different types of tube outputs. For its price point, the Panasonic is a good CD player too (unlike the Oppo it doesn't play SACDs or DVD-As but will play quad DSD files).
    I wonder why it won't play DVD-A's, since Panasonic was one of the originators and main supporters of the format early on?
    Rob
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  16. #16
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    using masking tape in an Ethernet cable is the real AQ problem - for a cable made in China no less.
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  17. #17
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by rbbert View Post
    I wonder why it won't play DVD-A's, since Panasonic was one of the originators and main supporters of the format early on?
    My guess is the choice of drives used and software. Obviously if the DACs can do quad DSD then that's not a limiting factor. It also will only do (normally) up to 192kHz PCM from files. There is a setting (I think they call it night mode) that toggles choices from a button on the remote. The same button also has the choices of the 6 different types of tube outputs so I have not tried it. When one plays a 24/352 file, it is in slow motion. It really doesn't bother me since I don't play discs. If I get a new SACD, I turn it into a file. I've debated (a few times) selling my Oppo 203 (and get another Panasonic?), which I've moved upstairs. The 203 didn't see tons of use when I had it in my UHD system downstairs (audio a few times/year and I own about 10 UHD Blu-Rays) and will even see less use upstairs (basically the upstairs bonus room is guest bedroom and I have my old 55 inch UHD set upstairs and maybe a few times/year some part of the system will be used). I have about half a dozen systems and I could rotate all kinds of things as well upstairs (e.g. one of my Oppo 103Ds which will play my files as well).
    Main System - Lumin U2, Modwright LS36.5 DM Preamp, VTV Purifi 1ET-7040SA with tube buffer, EMM Labs DAC 2X (ver. 2), Torus RM-20, Thiel CS 3.7s, 2 Rel S/812 subs
    Back-up 1 - Premium Audio mini Gan Amp, Oppo 103D, 2 Richard Gray cond, Selah SA-2s, Sumiko S5 sub, Teac UD-503 DAC, Carver (modded) C-9
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  18. #18
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    Re: Cable opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil A View Post
    I'd have to agree. I had an Oppo 203 in my UHD system (which I've seen side by side on video with the 205 a while back and video wise I couldn't see a difference) and the picture was definitely better. I don't use the UHD system much for music (maybe a few times/year) but I was shocked when I swapped out the players (the Panasonic UB9000 is great playing files vs. the Oppo 203). The DS Audio App which came with my Synology NAS can control it. Even though I don't use the UHD system much for music after the Panasonic went in I removed my iFi Tube Buffer 2 (since sold it) and the DAC I had in there. The Panasonic has 6 different settings to simulate different types of tube outputs. For its price point, the Panasonic is a good CD player too (unlike the Oppo it doesn't play SACDs or DVD-As but will play quad DSD files).

    Got to agree on the Panasonic UB9000, got rid of my OPPO 205 along time ago. The pany really is heads above the OPPO in video quality.
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