I have another digital cable I will try. I will see what happens. Thank you for the advice.
I want a change, but what?
I am using a Proceed CDD transport and a Audio Note One.1x dac. The digital cable is a Zu model I paid $70.00 new. I find the combination a little too laid back. I want more impact and detail. I was thinking of the new single box Audio Aero Prima 24/192. I don't need a voume control on the cd player, but I would like RCA and balanced outputs. I would like to spend under $1500.00 and used is preferred. I realize the new Prima 24/192 is more money and new. My system includes a Karan KAi180 integrated amp and Merlin VSM -M with a balanced bam. I have read the reviews about the Cairn Fog V2.0 with upsampler and the Arcam units that are in my price range. Arcam does not have balanced outs. Any info would be great.
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I have done some modifications to the DAC. I have upgraded some caps to black gates and some resistors on the output board per Peter Q of AN. I have used some Amperex tubes and changed the DAC chip to the K version. I have not tried a longer digital cable. The Zu Firemine I am using is .75 meters long. I am getting the feeling that upgrading to a newer single box player is not recomended. |
I tried another digital cable (Stealth 99.999 silver digital .5 meter) and it sounded worse. The soundstage was not as good and it seemed brighter. I used King Crimson's In The Wake Of Poseidon track 6 Cat Food to do the testing. Awesome song. The drums are much more outside of the speakers with the Zu Firemine. The main reason for this thread is I want more slam on the snare drum. The CDD and 1.1x do a great job in the area of detail and imaging, but I am looking for more speed and slam. I must say that the digital cable did make a noticeable difference in sound. I am not sure if I get a more expensive and longer digital interconnect that slam and speed will emerge from the combo. |
I have my CDD on Sorbathane? feet, but the dac is on what it came with stock. The whole system is on a target rack. I am thinking like Tobias that a longer or differant cable may help, but may not and I might still be wanting for more. This brings me back to the beginning. Maybe I should sell the DAC and CDD and by a good quality used redbook player. The Merlins have only been in my system for 1 week. I will need to change my system listed here. |
I sold my Proceed CDD and my Audio Note DAC1.1x. I purchased a CD-PRO2M transport kit (diy sites) and just finished building it. This transport is easily as good as the Proceed CDD using the DAC1.1x and the same Zu Firemine digital cable. I am now searching for a new dac. The Stello 220 looks interesting, but I may do more research and build my own 0x oversampling dac. |
The construction went great. Here is a link for some info. CD-PRO2M kit info I am not associated in any way with the seller. |