Funny thing happened today. Hooked up an old favorite and was testing some stuff out.

I got a used (new to me, but an older unit for sure) Classe CDP300 and needed a set of XLR hookups in a hurry to test out with my other Classe stuff. Mostly to make sure it works.

I also have a Yamaha CDS-2100 via XLR that I've been using regularly for a while. Not a bad unit, not a great unit, either, IMO.

Well, at least those are the 2 I have hooked up at the moment.

I was using Synergistic Research UEF Core2 XLRs on the Yamaha. I hooked up the new-to-me Classe with a pair of Maze Audio XLRs I had laying around (mostly to make sure the unit works).

The Classe sounded like ass.

I fiddled around with settings and just couldn't get it right.

On a whim, I switched out the Classe to use the SR cables. 

I plugged the Maze Audio XLRs into the Yamaha (mostly since I wasn't using it at the time).

First, the Classe.

Ahhhhhhh,.......that's better. MUCH better. Suddenly, the sound seemed to "tame" and widen out at the same time. Way more relaxed than the Maze Audio XLR.  Anyway, this unit plays very nicely with the Synergistic Research XLRs. Sounds very good for an older unit. 

But then something funny happened.

On a whim, I switched over the Yamaha CD player (now hooked up via the Maze Audio XLRs), and I put on a Pete Townshend "Greatest Hits" CD (that I know very well.....it's the CoolWalkingSmoothTalking one) and IT sounded better, too. It's really popping, actually. I am pleasantly surprised. 

Odd.

Guess the moral of the story is you have to find the synergy. It's magic when it works.