Larry , great question . But unfortunately you have many variables to contend with . You will benefit the most from trying various combinations on YOUR SYSTEM . At my home, I have an Oppo 105, a Schiit Yiggy , a Musical Fidelity’s transport . For source I have a Windows based laptop, Apple TV, Direct TV DVR. I’ve used Single Ended RCA, Digital Coax , USB to USB (B), balanced digital . Most of the inter connects are decent quality , eg ; Cardas Clear , Morrow , Anti Cables and Analysis Plus . My taste prefers the Schiit DAC over the Oppo . CD’s on the Musical Fidelity’s transport and DVD’s on the Oppo . Streaming is substantially better from the computer than the Apple or the Cable box . I had a home theater setup, but came to dislike it and currently run 2.0 ( Stereo ) with low power , or 2.2 ( Stereo with 2 subs ) in a higher power setup . I use the same sources for both , but split the system at the pre and have tone control on the system with the subs . I would suggest you obtain some decent used cables and experiment. Then when your satisfied with your combo , go to a higher level of cables in the brand/style you prefer . Also save the cables you acquired , as you will undoubtably be in this situation again . One of the things I did was to cultivate a friendship with a couple Agoners in order to loan cables and tubes . Also my opinion is that Anti Cables are neutral and require little break in , making them a pleasant experience. And Grannyring makes good cables at a reasonable price ( message him ). Cheers , Mike B.
Is there a difference in sound quality when streaming TIDAL Vs CD player
I hard wired my modem located in my family room using Cad6 cable to my Apple TV and direct wired my Apple TV to my ARCAM AVR550. I have an OPPO 203 connected by both an RCA cable and by HDMI to my ARCAM.
The dealer I purchased my ARCAM from told me to play my CD’s through my RCA connection and to watch DVD’s through HDMI. If I listen to CD’s through the RCA, aren’t I using the DAC on the OPPO player rather than the DAC on my ARCAM and wouldn’t the DAC on my ARCAM be a better DAC. My friend told me I should use a digital cable rather than an RCA to improve sound quality to utilize the DAC on my ARCAM? If this is the case, wouldn’t the HDMI be the same as by using a specific digital cable? I listened to my CD’s through the RCA Vs the RCA cable and I thought it sounded better through my HDMI cable.
i will be looking forward to your responses.
Thank you,
The dealer I purchased my ARCAM from told me to play my CD’s through my RCA connection and to watch DVD’s through HDMI. If I listen to CD’s through the RCA, aren’t I using the DAC on the OPPO player rather than the DAC on my ARCAM and wouldn’t the DAC on my ARCAM be a better DAC. My friend told me I should use a digital cable rather than an RCA to improve sound quality to utilize the DAC on my ARCAM? If this is the case, wouldn’t the HDMI be the same as by using a specific digital cable? I listened to my CD’s through the RCA Vs the RCA cable and I thought it sounded better through my HDMI cable.
i will be looking forward to your responses.
Thank you,