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I forget where I've read it (probably here at head-fi), but some users say that the SQ is different when you play a CD on the 840c vs. using the 840c as a DAC fed from your computer. Why is this (assuming that the computer is playing lossless files)? It was my understanding that reading from the computer or CD uses the same circuitry in the 840c, but this is where I'm probably wrong.
That was probably me.
I'm using digi-out of an Edirol ua-1ex connected to the 840c via an optical>toslink cable. There's a few extra connections there compared to having the cd in the 840c, so I suspect something is being lost in the connections. Either that or something was lost during the ripping process. The differences are subtle, like a very slight loss of spaciousness, weight and dynamics.
I'm using digi-out of an Edirol ua-1ex connected to the 840c via an optical>toslink cable. There's a few extra connections there compared to having the cd in the 840c, so I suspect something is being lost in the connections. Either that or something was lost during the ripping process. The differences are subtle, like a very slight loss of spaciousness, weight and dynamics.
If you have tried securely ripping with EAC set up properly, then you shouldnt be losing anything in the ripping process (it WILL let you know if you CD isnt in good condition ;p). Having said that, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with your ripper if its the cause of you hearing audible differences.
However, I can see optical and USB both affecting the audio due to jitter, and over larger distances both USB and optical start to lose signal.
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Home rig:
Headphones: Flac -> Foobar2000 -> EMU 0404 USB -> Sennheiser HD595 or Alessandro MS-2i or Beyerdynamic DT880 (2005)
Speakers: Flac -> Foobar2000 -> EMU 0404 USB ->QED Qunex 2 interconnect -> NAD C320BEE -> QED Silver Anniversary w/ airloc terminations -> Linn Kan Mk1
I definitely need a new DAC, and it is definitely going to be the 840c. The analog out on my ESI Juli@ sounds a lot more natural than the DAC inside the Opera. The bass presence is less, but the clarity of low frequency notes is much more realistic. The music just sounds more spatial and natural through the Juli@'s analog stage. The Opera's DAC may have a slightly higher level of detail in the mids and highs but it really lacks in transparency and depth of image.
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Headphones → Denon AH-D5000 (modded)
Amp/DAC → Meier Audio Corda Opera :::
Transport → ESI Juli@ ::: Vista → Foobar 0.9.5 → EAC extracted PCM → ASIO 2.0 → SSRC@96/Ultra → ESI Juli@ → S/PDIF :::
Power → Virtual Dynamics Master LE 2.0 Power Cord(Amp/DAC) ::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Power Cord(PC) ::: API PowerWedge I
Interconnects → Virtual Dynamics Master LE 2.0 Digital IC ::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Digital Coax :::::::::::::::::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Audio Interconnect Pair ::: ALO 6" iPod LOD ::: Qables 15" Silvercab iPod LOD
Portable Source → iPod Classic (6g) 80gig, with Agent18 Hardshell Acrylic Case:::
Accessories → Audio Technica AT-HPS500 Headphone Stand ::: Woo Audio Silver Headphone Stand
I definitely need a new DAC, and it is definitely going to be the 840c. The analog out on my ESI Juli@ sounds a lot more natural than the DAC inside the Opera. The bass presence is less, but the clarity of low frequency notes is much more realistic. The music just sounds more spatial and natural through the Juli@'s analog stage. The Opera's DAC may have a slightly higher level of detail in the mids and highs but it really lacks in transparency and depth of image.
I'm surprised the Opera's Dac is worse then the Juli@'s. I have the Juli@ on my desktop comp which I rarely use now as it's very noisy, and the 840c totally blows it away.
I currently own McIntosh MCD201 and Rega Apollo. I am thinking to add another CD player in the $1,000 - $1,500 range to my systems. Does anyone have an idea of comparing these two to 840c? I am actually staisfied with Apollo given its price. Is 840c significantly better?
^^^ for what reason would you need to add another cd player - just for comparison purposes?
....since when did you need a reason to buy hi-fi gear
I've just ordered an Azur 840c and i already have a Creek Evo and a Yamaha CDR-HD1500....dare say that the Creek will be put up for sale, along with the NAD C520BEE that's lying in my bedroom gathering dust.
__________________ Cambridge Audio Azur 840C; AVI Lab Series Integrated; ;Yamaha CDR-HD1500; Gram Slee Solo MC; Sennheiser HD650; GRADO RS1; Sennheiser HD555 ; PMC TB2
If you make a revolution, make it for fun,
don't make it in ghastly seriousness,
don't do it in deadly earnest,
do it for fun.
I currently own McIntosh MCD201 and Rega Apollo. I am thinking to add another CD player in the $1,000 - $1,500 range to my systems. Does anyone have an idea of comparing these two to 840c? I am actually staisfied with Apollo given its price. Is 840c significantly better?
I was unable to make the direct comparison, but I asked my dealer that very question as he also carries Rega and has compared the 840C/Apollo/Saturn. He likes the 840C significantly more.
__________________ "If you haven't heard it, you don't have an opinion." - Ivor Tiefenbrun, founder of Linn
I'm surprised the Opera's Dac is worse then the Juli@'s. I have the Juli@ on my desktop comp which I rarely use now as it's very noisy, and the 840c totally blows it away.
Aside from the very low-volume clicks coming from the Juli@ (which I'm sure is from a noisy power supply), it has a more natural sound and less distortion than the Opera's DAC -- and that's using crappy analog interconnects vs. my Cobalt Cable on the digital end. I can't imagine how much better it will be once my Cobalt interconnects and power cable arrives. But I bought those to use with the 840c when I get it. I could buy it now I suppose but then I wouldn't have money for rent and that would be a bad thing.
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Headphones → Denon AH-D5000 (modded)
Amp/DAC → Meier Audio Corda Opera :::
Transport → ESI Juli@ ::: Vista → Foobar 0.9.5 → EAC extracted PCM → ASIO 2.0 → SSRC@96/Ultra → ESI Juli@ → S/PDIF :::
Power → Virtual Dynamics Master LE 2.0 Power Cord(Amp/DAC) ::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Power Cord(PC) ::: API PowerWedge I
Interconnects → Virtual Dynamics Master LE 2.0 Digital IC ::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Digital Coax :::::::::::::::::: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Audio Interconnect Pair ::: ALO 6" iPod LOD ::: Qables 15" Silvercab iPod LOD
Portable Source → iPod Classic (6g) 80gig, with Agent18 Hardshell Acrylic Case:::
Accessories → Audio Technica AT-HPS500 Headphone Stand ::: Woo Audio Silver Headphone Stand
For those who may be curious... I remember reading on the Cambridge Azur PDF brochure that the Arctic line was their highest line of cables (at about $50 a pair) and their lower lines were the Atlantic and Pacific. Well it seems now they have an Azur Reference cable only available in 0.75m length (at about $100). I imagine it's what Cambridge uses for all their Azur product testing so it can't be bad.
Linear Mode
