Aries to Devialet Input SQ Questions

[ErikM]

Hi guys.. I've been doing some comparisons between the different output options of my Aries with my 200.. I've been comparing a Shunyata Ztron Python AES/EBU vs an Audioquest Diamond USB.. So what I'm hearing is that the AES/EBU is a bit more dynamic, it seems to have a bit more jump and snap..The Diamond is a bit more laid back, it seems a little softer, has a bit less pop and dynamics but it's also a tiny bit more airy and spacious. The AES although more dynamic is also a bit more .. forced.. seems a little less relaxed.

I'm wondering what others have found? has anyone done any similar comparisons? 

I can also try different AES/EBU or USB cables but I'm more curious if there's an inherent difference in SQ that others using an Aries with a Devialet may have noticed between the different inputs..

Thanks!

[miro]

Hi guys.. I've been doing some comparisons between the different output options of my Aries with my 200.. I've been comparing a Shunyata Ztron Python AES/EBU vs an Audioquest Diamond USB.. So what I'm hearing is that the AES/EBU is a bit more dynamic, it seems to have a bit more jump and snap..The Diamond is a bit more laid back, it seems a little softer, has a bit less pop and dynamics but it's also a tiny bit more airy and spacious. The AES although more dynamic is also a bit more .. forced.. seems a little less relaxed.

I'm wondering what others have found? has anyone done any similar comparisons? 

I can also try different AES/EBU or USB cables but I'm more curious if there's an inherent difference in SQ that others using an Aries with a Devialet may have noticed between the different inputs..

Thanks!

Have you burnt each of these two configurations for at least 200 hours?

If not, then things can still change.

[ErikM]

Hi guys.. I've been doing some comparisons between the different output options of my Aries with my 200.. I've been comparing a Shunyata Ztron Python AES/EBU vs an Audioquest Diamond USB.. So what I'm hearing is that the AES/EBU is a bit more dynamic, it seems to have a bit more jump and snap..The Diamond is a bit more laid back, it seems a little softer, has a bit less pop and dynamics but it's also a tiny bit more airy and spacious. The AES although more dynamic is also a bit more .. forced.. seems a little less relaxed.

I'm wondering what others have found? has anyone done any similar comparisons? 

I can also try different AES/EBU or USB cables but I'm more curious if there's an inherent difference in SQ that others using an Aries with a Devialet may have noticed between the different inputs..

Thanks!

Have you burnt each of these two configurations for at least 200 hours?

If not, then things can still change.

Yes the USB has at least 600 hours, probably more. On the AES/EBU the cable was well broken in ( borrowed from the Cable Co.) and I let it play pretty much 24/7 for a good four weeks..

[miro]

Hi guys.. I've been doing some comparisons between the different output options of my Aries with my 200.. I've been comparing a Shunyata Ztron Python AES/EBU vs an Audioquest Diamond USB.. So what I'm hearing is that the AES/EBU is a bit more dynamic, it seems to have a bit more jump and snap..The Diamond is a bit more laid back, it seems a little softer, has a bit less pop and dynamics but it's also a tiny bit more airy and spacious. The AES although more dynamic is also a bit more .. forced.. seems a little less relaxed.

I'm wondering what others have found? has anyone done any similar comparisons? 

I can also try different AES/EBU or USB cables but I'm more curious if there's an inherent difference in SQ that others using an Aries with a Devialet may have noticed between the different inputs..

Thanks!

Have you burnt each of these two configurations for at least 200 hours?

If not, then things can still change.

Yes the USB has at least 600 hours, probably more. On the AES/EBU the cable was well broken in ( borrowed from the Cable Co.) and I let it play pretty much 24/7 for a good four weeks..

So, do you have any new observations about the sound quality from the above two cables and connection methods?

[ErikM]

Hi guys.. I've been doing some comparisons between the different output options of my Aries with my 200.. I've been comparing a Shunyata Ztron Python AES/EBU vs an Audioquest Diamond USB.. So what I'm hearing is that the AES/EBU is a bit more dynamic, it seems to have a bit more jump and snap..The Diamond is a bit more laid back, it seems a little softer, has a bit less pop and dynamics but it's also a tiny bit more airy and spacious. The AES although more dynamic is also a bit more .. forced.. seems a little less relaxed.

I'm wondering what others have found? has anyone done any similar comparisons? 

I can also try different AES/EBU or USB cables but I'm more curious if there's an inherent difference in SQ that others using an Aries with a Devialet may have noticed between the different inputs..

Thanks!

Have you burnt each of these two configurations for at least 200 hours?

If not, then things can still change.

Yes the USB has at least 600 hours, probably more. On the AES/EBU the cable was well broken in ( borrowed from the Cable Co.) and I let it play pretty much 24/7 for a good four weeks..

So, do you have any new observations about the sound quality from the above two cables and connection methods?

I do.. I decided to try a different USB cable.. Wireworld Platium Series 7 and it out performed the Audioquest Diamond.. I think I'd like to also try a really good coax Spdif cable, and maybe a few other USB and AES cables.. 

Does anyone here have any opinions on which digital input sounds the best.. I understand that Devialet like the AES/EBU  But I think it may all come down to, in no particular order:

1. Personal Preference 
2. Source 
3. Cable Used
4. Overal System Synergy

[ogs]

I do.. I decided to try a different USB cable.. Wireworld Platium Series 7 and it out performed the Audioquest Diamond.. I think I'd like to also try a really good coax Spdif cable, and maybe a few other USB and AES cables.. 

Does anyone here have any opinions on which digital input sounds the best.. I understand that Devialet like the AES/EBU  But I think it may all come down to, in no particular order:

1. Personal Preference 
2. Source 
3. Cable Used
4. Overal System Synergy

ErikM, thanks for this. Very interesting and helpful.

Devialet said that AES/EBU was the best input to use, but remember *this was when D-Premier was top of the line* and before AIR. When AIR became available this was Devialets preferred input. With the new hardware USB and wired ethernet was also introduced.
You should try AIR to get an impression of how this sounds - even if you can only play one song before the white noise gets you
I theory at least one of the asynchronous inputs will be better i.e. USB or AIR. With USB the Devialet amp controls playback, which is a good thing. This should also be true with AIR. In real life, however, one of the other inputs may sound better. As with Guillaume and his Totaldac d1 server connected to AES/EBU.

I think Antipodes Audio has very good reasoning on this. Look at their site here: http://www.antipodesaudio.com/antipodes_...tures.html and in particular this: "Why Do You Focus On USB? Why Not SPDIF or AES/EBU? Or Ethernet?"

[GuillaumeB]

I do.. I decided to try a different USB cable.. Wireworld Platium Series 7 and it out performed the Audioquest Diamond.. I think I'd like to also try a really good coax Spdif cable, and maybe a few other USB and AES cables.. 

Does anyone here have any opinions on which digital input sounds the best.. I understand that Devialet like the AES/EBU  But I think it may all come down to, in no particular order:

1. Personal Preference 
2. Source 
3. Cable Used
4. Overal System Synergy

ErikM, thanks for this. Very interesting and helpful.

Devialet said that AES/EBU was the best input to use, but remember *this was when D-Premier was top of the line* and before AIR. When AIR became available this was Devialets preferred input. With the new hardware USB and wired ethernet was also introduced.
You should try AIR to get an impression of how this sounds - even if you can only play one song before the white noise gets you
I theory at least one of the asynchronous inputs will be better i.e. USB or AIR. With USB the Devialet amp controls playback, which is a good thing. This should also be true with AIR. In real life, however, one of the other inputs may sound better. As with Guillaume and his Totaldac d1 server connected to AES/EBU.

I think Antipodes Audio has very good reasoning on this. Look at their site here: http://www.antipodesaudio.com/antipodes_...tures.html and in particular this: "Why Do You Focus On USB? Why Not SPDIF or AES/EBU? Or Ethernet?"

Great post ogs! I particularly like the Antipodes Audio page you referenced there.

I will add one thing however which is that Devialet (or Thierry specifically!) told me late September 2013 that the AES/EBU input was the best wired input, qualitatively speaking. I was told that this was because you are inputing on a transformer which allows greater cable length among other things. Furthermore some streamers such as the MiND 180 and now my totaldac d1 are optimised for a AES/EBU output. 


Guillaume

[helloworld1978]

I am currently using the Chord Epic digital coax as a digital link for my D400 and also using the same cable going from Aries Mini to D400. Having compared it to the AudioQuest Diamond coax, I prefer the Chord Epic. The Epic provides a very detailed presentation, if your speakers can through out lots of detail then this cable won't disappoint.