27-Sep-2022, 03:43
To bring an old topic back to live, I have been using an Audioquest WEL Signature XLR cable (with RCA to XLR convertor on one end) as the link between the two D200, and it sounds wonderful. I have also tried Audioquest Coffee SPDIF with RCA to XLR on the other end, and it isn't as good.
My result is as follows :
Audioquest WEL XLR > Audioquest Coffee SPDIF > original Crystal SPDIF
The main difference is the size of the soundstage, it just gets much much bigger with better cables.
My other trick is to use a DDC, I used Gustard U18, a very cheap DDC but with very good results in D400. Again the soundstage is a lot larger with DDC compared to direct digital in the D400.
The original Crystal SPDIF cable is not that bad though, it's vocals are very attractive sounding. I am using the Crystal SPDIF as the link from DDC to D400, its performance in vocals are better than both Audioquest Coffee and Audioquest WEL Signature!
My result is as follows :
Audioquest WEL XLR > Audioquest Coffee SPDIF > original Crystal SPDIF
The main difference is the size of the soundstage, it just gets much much bigger with better cables.
My other trick is to use a DDC, I used Gustard U18, a very cheap DDC but with very good results in D400. Again the soundstage is a lot larger with DDC compared to direct digital in the D400.
The original Crystal SPDIF cable is not that bad though, it's vocals are very attractive sounding. I am using the Crystal SPDIF as the link from DDC to D400, its performance in vocals are better than both Audioquest Coffee and Audioquest WEL Signature!
