Here is something on XLR vs RCA from a great audio designer.
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/balanced-vs-unbalanced-analog-interfaces
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/balanced-vs-unbalanced-analog-interfaces
DAC choices -- help me cross the line
Here is something on XLR vs RCA from a great audio designer. https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/balanced-vs-unbalanced-analog-interfaces |
@yyzsantabarbara IIRC, teejay (Terry London) has raved about the balanced version of MHDT Pagoda as compared to the regular version, so clearly there's a benefit. If the rest of the chain also supports balanced, I'm pretty sure it will offer some benefits. I hope he can shed some light on this topic. |
@pastorbob -- How much of an impact did a better USB cable make in your system? I'm currently using the AudioQuest Forest USB cable, which I bought for around $65. I don't necessarily have any complaints but just want to see if I can take it up by another notch. The owner of SmallGreenComputers is recommending the In-Akustik Reference cable since it has good synergy with the opticalRendu which I own. I'll take a look at Curios Cable as well. My budge for USB cable is $350 max -- new or used. Just wondering what kind of improvements, if any, have folks experienced when moving to a mid-priced (< $500) USB cable. |
I had my AM Tubadour upgraded to the SE, be ready for a painful break-in with those big caps. It’s certainly worth it. the dac retains its sonic signature, just a better version. I lost my left channel 5977 minis after about a year and a half. I replaced them with 6N1P-EV NOS <OTK-1> and grabbed a pair of backup minis from Vlad, which I haven’t rolled back in. The Russian tubes are really good too! |
Arafiq Audiogon member Grannyring manufacturer’s a absolutely fabulous USB cable for under you budget , I use two of his Smoked BBQ cables for my Innuos front end I’ve stopped trying other cables . If you can use a USB cable between your dac and server “without” the 5v leg , find out before buying any USB cable this will further improve performance. |