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Why does my DAC sound so much better after upgrading digital SPDIF cable?

I like my Mps5 playback designs sacd/CD player but also use it as a DAC so that I can use my OPPO as a transport to play 24-96 and other high res files I burn to dvd-audio discs.

I was using a nordost silver shadow digital spdif cable between the transport and my dac as I felt it was more transparent and better treble than a higher priced audioquest digital cable a dealer had me audition.

I recently received the Synergistic Research Galileo new SX UEF digital cable.  Immediately I recognized that i was hearing far better bass, soundstage, and instrument separation than I had ever heard with high res files (non sacd),

While I am obviously impressed with this high end digital cable and strongly encourage others to audition it, I am puzzled how the cable transporting digital information to my DAC from my transport makes such a big difference.

The DAC take the digital information and shapes the sound so why should the cable providing it the info be so important. I would think any competently built digital cable would be adequate....I get the cable from the DAC to the preamp and preamp to amp matter but would think the cable to the DAC would be much less important.

I will now experiment to see if using the external transport to send red book CD files to my playback mps5 sounds better than using the transport inside the mps5 itself.

The MPS5 sounds pretty great for ca and awesome with SACD so doubt external transport will be improvement for redhook cds


128x128karmapolice
paul79
174 posts
 
Steve is not wrong. He is a very qualified engineer IME. He knows what all the problems in the entire system are, and how to solve them. I had the SMR with the latest improvements. I sold it because my Server is better, and of course, more convenient. I was able to beat the performance of the SMR, yes, but at multiple times the cost of that little magic box.... The SMR is a little monster, you can use any crap source you want in front of it, and get truly world class sound out of it.

He is also not wrong about "claimed" resolving systems, and he clued you all in on perhaps the biggest offender in the system chain, the preamp. One would be wise to listen. The damage a volume control causes alone, is just insane, and ANY volume control, no matter, is a compromise. There are very few active preamps that can make the claim of being truly transparent and resolving.

Getting a preamp with no mechanical connections, no switch contacts, no traditional volume control, no wires (all circuit board), is completely 100% electronic from input to output, changed my world.
I just hope you stick around Steve, and not let people burn you out.
celander's avatar
celander
1,503 posts
 
1+ @paul79
chrisg1000
30 posts
 
I’m late in responding to this, but I agree there is absolutely a difference in digital cables. I run USB from my PC to my DAC. I recently changed the cord due to relocation of my DAC. I did NOT do this in order to achieve better sound. I thought “bits are bits”. 
I couldn’t have been more wrong. The difference was significant. Like listening to two different DAC’s head-to-head. Not going to say one was better, but they were CLEARLY different. As luck would have it I preferred the new cable. 
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@chrisg1000

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/do-usb-audio-cables-make-a-difference.188...

Yes, they do measure differently, especially longer runs. However, any decent DAC (even $100, but talking cream of the crop), will reduce any errors below audibility.

If you hear a difference, then it’s time to get a better DAC. Just out of curiosity, is your DAC a Schiit? Because Schiit gear don’t typically handle dither/jitter as well as it’s competitors.
karmapolice's avatar
karmapolice OP
256 posts
 
I think it's sad that people who dont believe cables make a difference troll audiophile boards....

Perhaps the bose forum or mp3 forum or bluetooth audio forum would be a better habitat 


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