Hegel H390 DAC

@audphile1

Darn -- forgot about the power cords. Thanks for the reminder!

I never had sibilance until I acquired the Jay's and the Hegel. 

Is everything broken in?

@audphile1

I paid for 72 hour burn-in on the new cables -- I’ve been buying Rob’s cables for over 15 years and have always paid for burn in and have never found them to change much.

Another variable is the fact that the analogue out from DAC to Hegel is now via balanced XLR connection. The wire is the same as the RCA s I use but the termination is different -- rhodium. There is more weight/lower mids now, with this cable, which I actually like. This was something I always felt was missing before and which I attempted to bolster with the Schiit Lokius.

To be honest, I’m not clear re: the distinction between using balanced connections and using balanced connections between components with balanced topologies.

The Aqua site describes the La Voce S2 DAC’s XLR output as "asymmetrical".

Not sure about the Hegel -- one reviewer describes it as "true balanced" but I didn’t see this in the description on Hegel’s website.

If you were asking whether components are broken in, yes -- definitely

Just looked at your virtual system. Impressive! Another forum member suggested I swap out the Hegel for Pass.  

Thanks!

I wouldn’t rush to swap for pass. Hegel is good. Different but good.
Back to your findings…

UNBAL 2 RCA Output 2.4 V RMS
BALANCED (asymmetrical output) 2 XLR Output : 4.8V RMS

what you’re hearing is due to higher output via XLR outs of your dac and that gives your lower noise and the more weight you’re hearing in the presentation is your dac driving the amp better. I always use XLR where possible.
Rhodium plugs take more than 72 hours to burn in. Are they made by Furutech? I would connect some source to the dac that you can spin 24/7 for at least one week while your hegel amp is on but on mute at times you are not listening. don’t turn anything off let it run.
Power cords on dac and amp will be critical.

I just looked on the audio art site and it is furutech rhodium connectors. That’s going to be additional 200-225hrs. Forget 72hrs cooking. These plugs require around 300hrs. Run the system non stop.