2. digital
  3. 1099609297

I want a change, but what?

I am using a Proceed CDD transport and a Audio Note One.1x dac. The digital cable is a Zu model I paid $70.00 new. I find the combination a little too laid back. I want more impact and detail. I was thinking of the new single box Audio Aero Prima 24/192. I don't need a voume control on the cd player, but I would like RCA and balanced outputs. I would like to spend under $1500.00 and used is preferred. I realize the new Prima 24/192 is more money and new. My system includes a Karan KAi180 integrated amp and Merlin VSM -M with a balanced bam. I have read the reviews about the Cairn Fog V2.0 with upsampler and the Arcam units that are in my price range. Arcam does not have balanced outs. Any info would be great.
stereo
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Read this and you might decide not to buy new, more expensive gear:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue15/modsnugent.htm

Also, your digital cable should be 1.5m long:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm
stereo OP
147 posts
 
I have done some modifications to the DAC. I have upgraded some caps to black gates and some resistors on the output board per Peter Q of AN. I have used some Amperex tubes and changed the DAC chip to the K version. I have not tried a longer digital cable. The Zu Firemine I am using is .75 meters long. I am getting the feeling that upgrading to a newer single box player is not recomended.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I use a Zu Ash digital cable and I like it a lot, but it cost more than the one you have. I think the Ash can be bettered, but not at the promo price I paid on eBay and probably not at list either. I agree that your front end justifies a better cable.

I have yet to test Audioengr (Steve Nugent)'s contention that 1.5m is better than 0.5m length, when it comes to digital. However I do feel I need to test it, since it appears to depend on poor transport design. I would like to think that is not a given.

I am using an Apogee DA-1000E-20 DAC with my Zu Ash cable. It has balanced outs and, with its power supply, goes for $400-$600 on eBay. I am quite happy with its impact and detail.

If you get the chance, let us know what changes you make, and the results.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
If you read the article, you will find that it is not poor transport design, but the manufacturer taking necessary steps to avoid failing FCC testing. After my mods, the transport can take a 1m cable, but stock transports have very slow risetimes, so the longer cable is necessary.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Hello Steve, thanks very much for responding. I humbly aver that I did read the article; however, "poor transport design" is my own interpretation of the situation. In other words, I consider the manufacturers' practice, which you describe as "designing-in the slower than necessary 25 nanosecond rise-time", to be poor design because it appears to be an intentional handicap of their products' potential.

Of course, you imply that without this design approach, which I call handicapping (if not kneecapping), the products would not reach the market at all. Under such conditions the manufacturers' approach is understandable, if unfortunate.

You write that you "have never seen impedance control on any Transport or DAC circuit board. " Have you tested a good many stock transports to find that they all have the slow rise time "bug", or is there a "good" group? If so, is Stereo's Proceed in it? How about my own TEAC VRDS T1?

I am interested in any way to be certain that I need to spend twice as much as I thought, or more, on a longer high-end digital cable.
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