Upgrade Suggestions please

 

maprik OP

191 posts

03-07-2026 at 02:59pm 

@audphile1 Just a loss of fullness I think. Listening to the first pressing of Abbey Road is just spine tingling in its dynamics, fullness of vocals and instruments. Ringo’s thumpy drumming and highhat!!! Everything just very real. The streaming versions sound lighter, thinner, not as alive. That’s the best I can describe. 
 

What’s the streaming source? Qobuz, Tidal, Apple?

If you want fuller sound Audience Studio One USB cable should help. It had the same effect on every streamer and DAC I ever used. But the difference in masters will be obvious no matter what cable or dac or streamer you use. You can improve the sound quality though. 

Although digital can sound great by itself, it’s not surprising that vinyl generally sounds better than digital when compared directly. I have both.  Because my vinyl is very high level, it takes a very good DAC to get to a satisfactory level to the vinyl. In other words, it usually takes a significant $ jump in DAC to achieve sonic satisfaction. 

@audphile1 Tidal. I will check out the Audience. The Merason USB is supposedly excellent. 

@zavato The Eversolo A6 does not have AES out. The A8 does. Maybe worth upgrading? 

@maprik - then worth trying the A6’s SPDIF output. You can get a surprisingly very good SPDIF coax cable that is very reasonable- Canare  CV-77S terminated in Canare 75 ohm rca plugs. It’s surprising that many cables sold as 75 ohm cables mess it up with terminations that aren’t 75 ohm terminations. This is why I believe all 75 ohm digital interfaces should have BNC connectors.