@zlone you went from a copper cable to a silver cable so forgive me for saying it is a no-brainer that it would sound better. I know people get tired of me saying it but digital cables need silver. the current is extremely low so most of the current is on the surface so digital plated is generally all you need. you went to solid silver and crushed it.
I think people have heard negative things about silver analog cables for so long that they don’t always realize that digital is different. the data is so dense that every little bit helps and silver conductivity is 7% higher than copper.
BTW, I tried some very nice silver plated speaker cables later and was shocked ho bad they sounded. I won’t elaborate.
I see people focusing in the brand. Pick the design first and then look at brands. There is often very little difference between quality brands. the difference is in the design. I don’t know why some high end cable manufacturers still make copper digital cables.
Jerry