06-Feb-2020, 03:03
(This post was last modified: 19-Mar-2020, 02:13 by deviousalet.)
In 2015 I tested interlink cables between my Devialet amps and preferred the RCA-XLR connection. Tonight I tested that again with a new cable (2019 AudioQuest Diamond with RCA on both ends). The RCA-RCA connection sounds more focused, precise, and present.
Devialet has said they've improved the interlink with hardware and firmware updates, and now say that RCA or XLR shouldn't make much difference. I can't verify that on the Devialet 400 I had in 2015, but on my current Devialet 1000 the same cable I preferred in 2015 (AudioQuest Raven RCA-XLR) is clearly bettered by the AudioQuest Diamond RCA-RCA. The cables have the same metal and geometry, but the Diamond has more noise dissipation, an improved RF trap, and possibly improved connectors (but less shielding). So it could be cable improvements or Devialet improvements. Of course other things in my system have changed since 2015. I upgraded power cables from Shunyata Z-PC10 to Delta NR and upgraded my wall outlet from a Leviton 8300-HW to an AudioQuest NRG Edison, but the only change I made tonight was the interlink cable. I guess I could test this further as I still have the old AudioQuest Eagle Eye RCA-RCA, but at the moment the scientific method seems secondary to even more wonderful music listening.
Update: I compared the AudioQuest Diamond to my old AudioQuest Eagle Eye (predecessor to the Diamond), and while the Diamond is clearly best the Eagle Eye sounds better than the Raven, which is the same cable except for being RCA-XLR. So, the cable change prompted this listening test but it is probably a change Devialet made that now lets me prefer an RCA-RCA over RCA-XLR interlink connection.
Devialet has said they've improved the interlink with hardware and firmware updates, and now say that RCA or XLR shouldn't make much difference. I can't verify that on the Devialet 400 I had in 2015, but on my current Devialet 1000 the same cable I preferred in 2015 (AudioQuest Raven RCA-XLR) is clearly bettered by the AudioQuest Diamond RCA-RCA. The cables have the same metal and geometry, but the Diamond has more noise dissipation, an improved RF trap, and possibly improved connectors (but less shielding). So it could be cable improvements or Devialet improvements. Of course other things in my system have changed since 2015. I upgraded power cables from Shunyata Z-PC10 to Delta NR and upgraded my wall outlet from a Leviton 8300-HW to an AudioQuest NRG Edison, but the only change I made tonight was the interlink cable. I guess I could test this further as I still have the old AudioQuest Eagle Eye RCA-RCA, but at the moment the scientific method seems secondary to even more wonderful music listening.
Update: I compared the AudioQuest Diamond to my old AudioQuest Eagle Eye (predecessor to the Diamond), and while the Diamond is clearly best the Eagle Eye sounds better than the Raven, which is the same cable except for being RCA-XLR. So, the cable change prompted this listening test but it is probably a change Devialet made that now lets me prefer an RCA-RCA over RCA-XLR interlink connection.
