OP, You've got enough recommendations to add a dedicated streamer, so I'll echo that.....your system deserves a component in the same league......base recommendation would be an Aurender N200. Entry level cable would be a Supra Excalibur for about $140. From there DHLabs, Zavfino, Cullen Cables, Lavri Cables, etc. |
@soix Yes, the vast mojoriity know you've got it right. TVgeek is joining the ranks of jason bourne; nobody needs to hear them repeat the same controverial comments on every thread just begging for attention. |
I have tried a number of modestly-priced USB cables - including Transparent - and the one I kept is the DH Labs Mirage. It is1.5m and I am currently using it in my modest computer-based system at my office for near field listening. For a 15’ run, another cable may work better, dunno. I do know I am getting remarkably engaging sound with the DH Labs cable in the loop. FWIW, I also like the Audioquest Carbon USB cable and currently use one to connect the external hard drive to my dedicated (non-computer) server in my main system. I have not tried the Supra cable others have mention in this thread. As for computer audio versus a good streamer, I have this to say. The computer you are using matters a lot. Over the last ten years I have tried using Dell, Lenovo and Microsoft Surface laptops running mostly different versions of JRiver. I would rank the sound quality as Surface 4 > Dell Latitude > Surface 3 > Lenovo. I also think that the performance of JRiver has improved with version updates over time. I am currently oversample all files in software before feeding an old Chord Qute HD DAC because that sounds best to me. For context, I am using decent cables, a Rega Brio amp, small Wharfdale speakers and a Monitor Audio sub in this system. Everything is plugged into power conditioners, one for digital components and one for the amps. This system sounds better than it has any right to for the investment, but it’s clearly not up to the level of the OP’s gear. If the OP has $15,000 to drop on a Aurender A20, sure, that would make a bigger difference than $360 for a new 15’ USB cable. But, the cable will help, and it is possible to get decent sound from a computer audio system if you able to spend time optimizing the power, cabling and software. And in my case I can also create presentations, work on spreadsheets and send emails while listening, although it really doesn’t do much for the audio on Zoom meetings. YMMV kn
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