19-Jul-2014, 14:58
(19-Jul-2014, 14:28)Mikeeo Wrote:(19-Jul-2014, 13:55)GuillaumeB Wrote: My Devialet 800 shipped with what looked like a Transparent Premium S/PDIF. It didn't actually say Transparent on the cable but otherwise looked identical.Guillaume, I guess this may be the cause for the differences heard by me. I have the Crystal Cable RCA-RCA as supplied by Devialet. I will definitely try out other options and have ordered material to make my own ie the same I have for the streaming into the Dev, VHAudios own silver coax. I think that in keeping strict 75 ohm not only in cable but perhaps more important the connectors will reap rewards. What connectors does the Transparent have?
I tried a Transparent XL S/PDIF and couldn't believe the improvement in SQ. The music sounded more analog-like and there was more air around instruments and voices. The soundstage was deeper and there was more tonal texture. It was so good that I placed an order immediately!
At the time I owned a Chord Sarum TA AES/EBU (connecting the MiND 180 with the Master) so it made sense to try the Chord Sarum TA S/PDIF too.
The Transparent XL cable was leaps better, and the end result was that I ended up replacing the Chord AES/EBU with the Transparent XL too!
Interestingly the jump in SQ after fitting the S/PDIF was greater than that after fitting the AES/EBU Transparent XL. So in other words changing the link between Master and Slave/Companion made a greater difference than changing cables between UPnP streamer and Master. I know this because I lived with just the S/PDIF upgrade for a couple of weeks before getting the Transparent XL AES/EBU. I also did lots of experimenting swapping between the Chord and Transparent cables.
I thought this was very interesting and discussed this with both my dealer and Absolute Sounds. Why would the digital link between the two units make such a difference?
Guillaume
/Mike
RCA-RCA just like the Crystal one I guess. I've attached a pic.
Guillaume
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