25-Feb-2022, 04:05
Thanks Derek for that great information.
I find the same, that the Expert is very revealing of different cables. As an all-in-one device for on-line streaming, the 220 pro is superbly transparent, that is of course when fed the right stream with an appropriately good cable. I say this because my experience has been that with the wrong usb cable (We’ve used some poor ones I’ll admit) the sound quality suffers noticeably. It’s surprising how speaker cables affect the sound quality with the 220. I am pretty sure I could convince naysayers with a listening session. We don’t have obscenely expensive speaker cables, but the Synergistic Research Foundations 3mtr
coupled with the Synergistic Research cable risers are very detailed and transparent. This cable has a solid silver core too. Another great sounding speaker cable is the QED Genesis Silver Spiral 10ft. That cable leaves absolutely nothing out, sounds very natural and neutral, and throws a very big 3D soundstage with great separation. The new QED reference cables are apparently even better. I also like the sound of Black Cat cables. We brought home the upper mid range Audioquests to demo - can’t remember exactly which ones, but they were about $3,700. I didn’t like them. They sounded weirdly unnatural and forced. The SRs QEDs and Black Cats sounded better to me.
SAM is a decision which will be different for each listener because I think its room-dependent and as you suggest, cable dependent. Its a tougher decision for us too because the S3 is so incredibly flat and great sounding without SAM engaged. What helps us, is programming the mute on/off button (center of the three bottom buttons) on the remote in the configurator to include SAM toggle on/off. That way you can sit in your listening position and determine what’s going on.
I will bend your ear some more, and add that in extensive listening, our conclusion is the USB input for streaming purposes is much better audio than airplay and also airplay-eth. Mind you, Airplay still sounds groovy and is so convenient.
Considering the nature of a complete solution, the Expert is a great value. The DAC is reference class. The downside is that if one wishes to use outboard DACs, all analogue signals are re-digitized. This negates the full advantage any outboard DAC might offer. Some of the outboard DAC’s unique character might be muted. I have confirmed this with other true analogue rigs, which allow these alternative DACs to show their true character. So I would consel a friend who had, lets say, a Rockna Wavedream and just had to use that, to then look at an alternative pre/amp solution. Clarifying this, I will also add that I find the DAC in the Expert to be superb, especially for hi-res streaming from Qobuz. Have I heard better sound (as I judge it) from other separate much more expensive multi-box systems; Yes. Do they offer anywhere near the sound quality per buck of the Expert Pro 220; no, in my opinion, they do not. I still believe that for voice, let’s say Peggy Lee, the Expert is up there will the best of the best.
I find the same, that the Expert is very revealing of different cables. As an all-in-one device for on-line streaming, the 220 pro is superbly transparent, that is of course when fed the right stream with an appropriately good cable. I say this because my experience has been that with the wrong usb cable (We’ve used some poor ones I’ll admit) the sound quality suffers noticeably. It’s surprising how speaker cables affect the sound quality with the 220. I am pretty sure I could convince naysayers with a listening session. We don’t have obscenely expensive speaker cables, but the Synergistic Research Foundations 3mtr
SAM is a decision which will be different for each listener because I think its room-dependent and as you suggest, cable dependent. Its a tougher decision for us too because the S3 is so incredibly flat and great sounding without SAM engaged. What helps us, is programming the mute on/off button (center of the three bottom buttons) on the remote in the configurator to include SAM toggle on/off. That way you can sit in your listening position and determine what’s going on.
I will bend your ear some more, and add that in extensive listening, our conclusion is the USB input for streaming purposes is much better audio than airplay and also airplay-eth. Mind you, Airplay still sounds groovy and is so convenient.
Considering the nature of a complete solution, the Expert is a great value. The DAC is reference class. The downside is that if one wishes to use outboard DACs, all analogue signals are re-digitized. This negates the full advantage any outboard DAC might offer. Some of the outboard DAC’s unique character might be muted. I have confirmed this with other true analogue rigs, which allow these alternative DACs to show their true character. So I would consel a friend who had, lets say, a Rockna Wavedream and just had to use that, to then look at an alternative pre/amp solution. Clarifying this, I will also add that I find the DAC in the Expert to be superb, especially for hi-res streaming from Qobuz. Have I heard better sound (as I judge it) from other separate much more expensive multi-box systems; Yes. Do they offer anywhere near the sound quality per buck of the Expert Pro 220; no, in my opinion, they do not. I still believe that for voice, let’s say Peggy Lee, the Expert is up there will the best of the best.
