Had to share...69 pages. ;) 3422 responses (guess this makes 3423).
It's crazy to see where we are in this thread and honestly, it's just getting legs with new stuff and continued DAC info. BTW, I just installed my Audioquest Diamond USB cable and it's awesome. Can't tell you how much of a difference it's making. I also installed (later) my new/used AQ Horizon balanced interconnect between the Ayre AX5/20 and QX5/20. It takes my system (with the Vandersteen Quatros) to a new level. It's a huge component upgrade to my system and I'm hearing music in a different way. This DAC has to be even better than I thought with the information I'm getting and it's even more musical and relaxed. If there was a thin layer of glass between me and the music, it's gone. I think it was Matt who gave the ref of glass or maybe I read it on another board, but it made sense to me. The Horizon (it's the precursor to the AQ WEL TOTL cable) and solid silver. Just so relaxed in it's presentation. My wife asked what the hell I bought now. She didn't realize I put the cable in (it was from a friend and I couldn't resist). When she notices changes I listen and ask her what she is or isn't hearing. She isn't into audio in the least. She nailed it from it sounds 'more quite' (blacker background) to sound more like the concert we were at (was listening to the Joe Bonamassa Carnegie Hall album that is his new release. She took me there for my birthday last year the night before the major blizzard, lol). Tina Guo's cello was in the room with us. It was just so revealing and tonally correct.
I had the shortblock also and loved it. I noticed a large difference when I used my ODSE/SE with a USB cable Steve sold me with the shortblock. I personally feel the Diamond and the TotalDac cables are my favorite. I believe that the TotalDac has the 5v sever deal built into that box on the cable. not sure.
It's crazy to see where we are in this thread and honestly, it's just getting legs with new stuff and continued DAC info. BTW, I just installed my Audioquest Diamond USB cable and it's awesome. Can't tell you how much of a difference it's making. I also installed (later) my new/used AQ Horizon balanced interconnect between the Ayre AX5/20 and QX5/20. It takes my system (with the Vandersteen Quatros) to a new level. It's a huge component upgrade to my system and I'm hearing music in a different way. This DAC has to be even better than I thought with the information I'm getting and it's even more musical and relaxed. If there was a thin layer of glass between me and the music, it's gone. I think it was Matt who gave the ref of glass or maybe I read it on another board, but it made sense to me. The Horizon (it's the precursor to the AQ WEL TOTL cable) and solid silver. Just so relaxed in it's presentation. My wife asked what the hell I bought now. She didn't realize I put the cable in (it was from a friend and I couldn't resist). When she notices changes I listen and ask her what she is or isn't hearing. She isn't into audio in the least. She nailed it from it sounds 'more quite' (blacker background) to sound more like the concert we were at (was listening to the Joe Bonamassa Carnegie Hall album that is his new release. She took me there for my birthday last year the night before the major blizzard, lol). Tina Guo's cello was in the room with us. It was just so revealing and tonally correct.
I had the shortblock also and loved it. I noticed a large difference when I used my ODSE/SE with a USB cable Steve sold me with the shortblock. I personally feel the Diamond and the TotalDac cables are my favorite. I believe that the TotalDac has the 5v sever deal built into that box on the cable. not sure.