Cable opinions?

Jim Smith

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
844
Location
Atlanta, GA
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.
 
Shorter cables usually recommended, except for power.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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.
 
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
 
Thanks! That’s a significant aspect. IMO, Whenever possible, it’s best to keep the computer 15’ or so away from the main electronics.
 
Given Audioquests prior USB manipulating I wouldn't trust 'em for as far as I could throw 'em.
 
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.
 
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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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).
 
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
 
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!!


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).

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?
 
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).
 
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.
 
Back
Top