DH Labs

Thanks to Juan @blisshifi , I’m the happy owner of a DH Lab’s, Silver Sonic  USB cable. 

I recently replaced a Cable Solutions Canare LV-77S digital S/PIDF cable with a DH Labs D-750, and I think I heard an improvement right off the bat, even though the LV-77S had the benefit of several days of break-in.  The DH Labs was recommended by The Cable Co. 

On the other hand, I wasn't impressed with the DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1 iCable, with a 1/8" stereo plug on one end and RCAs on the other.  It had the channels reversed, and it didn't sound any better than a basic cable of a similar length and type when used between my Dragonfly Red USB DAC and my stereo system.  I haven't done the comparison yet with the Dragonfly Cobalt--maybe a higher-quality DAC will reveal some difference.

A Cable Company representative said that the room for the 1/8" plug is so limited that there's not much that can be done to improve it. 

Has anyone else found a superior 1/8"-to-RCAs cable?

@curiousjim 

What did the DH Labs USB replace?

@drmuso and @baylinor … I personally find the BL-1 (aka the Silversonic cable) to be quite revealing but lean and can be seen as bright if your equipment is already transparent. I’m surprised you couldn’t tell a difference with the BL-1 iCable compared to other Y-cables. I was able to hear the difference immediately, but overall I moved on from BL-1. @drmuso perhaps you should try comparing the BL-1 iCable again now that it’s broken in.

The BL-1 is an excellent cable for those that feel their systems are not closed in. Perfect for mid-fi in particular since it will balance out overly warm and forgiving systems like Marantz/Wharfedale combos. 

The Air Matrix is a significant step up from the BL-1 in terms of bass and midrange body. I don’t find it to be nearly as fatiguing, and it is quite balanced. Regarding Y-cables, I ended up having the DH Labs team build me a custom one out of the Air Matrix cable and it is very, very good for a Y-cable. I’m not using it anymore, though I still have it in a drawer should I ever need a Y-cable again. 

@blisshifi 

Thanks for your comment which aligns perfectly with my experience. My system is very revealing to the point that when I make any kind of adjustment or swap anything I immediately notice the difference. The room construction and the acoustic treatments probably have more to do with that than the equipment itself. Hence the Silversonic shone way too brightly for my ears. I  experienced the same results with the Wireworld starlight 7 hdmi cable for the I2s connection between my Jay's cdt2-mk3 and the Gustard X26 PRO, also too bright. I now use it between my Sony blu ray and TV and it sounds excellent there since that sound is not as revealing and can use the extra brightness. I am waiting for a Tuesday delivery of the Tubulus concentus I2s cable to reconnect the Jay to the Gustard. I have high hopes it will please me like the Curious. All this stuff is so system dependent that you have to try multiple products to find what your ears really need.