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fidaudio 0404 adapter arrived - Page 2

post #16 of 73
3/2/05 at 12:07pm
Yes I'd be interested in hearing how this cable sounds although I don't have an 0404 anymore. I'm always interested in cables

I do believe in cable burnin but you can't listen to the same cable over time. You have to have one burned in already and another exact same one not used.
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post #17 of 73
3/2/05 at 6:59pm
Hi all, got my 0404 back from Prague at last
Finally therefore get the chance to test Eugene's adaptor (I got the adaptor version).

Turnaround - the order took about a week and half
Construction - top notch, very neat, very smart
Tested with: modded 0404 w/AD8066, WNA ICs, WNA MKII and Cascode
Listening to: lots of tunes
Compared to: stock cable with ts/phono jack adaptors

Bottom line :thumbsup: - bass clears up, is more defined and tuneful, treble is cleaner and smoother, separation is cleaner, percussion is sharper, music is more enjoyable!

Well worth the money, well done, lads.
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post #18 of 73
3/2/05 at 7:07pm
Wow Is it really that noticeable a diff? Hmm, when the Grado C-Pads come, and the breakout cable comes, i might be listening to the 0404 in a totally new (and improved) way!
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post #19 of 73
3/2/05 at 7:13pm
I'm sure you will, Jahn, esp if you have a modded 0404.

Glassman told me he liked his 1212M better than my modded 0404, but his comparison was based on the stock breakout. I'm pretty sure he'd like what he hears with my rig A lot of this is down to Eugene's adaptor.

I've now got no upgrade desires left with my headphone rig - HALLELUJAH!

<1UP's wallet says> Can I get an Amen?
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post #20 of 73
3/2/05 at 7:18pm
sadly i can think of a few more personally - new psu for the solo? rca caps for the 2nd channel of the solo? but that's about it lol! yeah i'm getting there too!
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post #21 of 73
3/2/05 at 11:38pm
Did anyone here get one with the line-in option? Do you feel that the quality is the same (or maybe even better) than the stock adapter?
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post #22 of 73
3/2/05 at 11:39pm
i got that option, i'll try it out when it comes.
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post #23 of 73
3/2/05 at 11:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jahn
i got that option, i'll try it out when it comes.
let me know when it comes so i can come over and check it out.
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post #24 of 73
3/7/05 at 4:48pm
Is it better to get the breakout that will connect straight to the amplifier EVEN if you have very expensive interconnects?

[QUOTE]0404 Breakout Interconnect
Terminated with gold-plated, teflon insulated plugs, the interconnect version totally eliminates all extra connections in the signal path. This option provides you with a direct path from your sound card to your amplifier.[/QUOTE]
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post #25 of 73
3/7/05 at 4:55pm
[QUOTE=ssingh0]Is it better to get the breakout that will connect straight to the amplifier EVEN if you have very expensive interconnects?

Quote:
0404 Breakout Interconnect
Terminated with gold-plated, teflon insulated plugs, the interconnect version totally eliminates all extra connections in the signal path. This option provides you with a direct path from your sound card to your amplifier.[/QUOTE]
i dont know if anyone can answer that but the first poster, who has both. but i have to say, even starquad cable from 1/4 to rca sounded better than my audioquests when they had to go through a rat shack adapter first. so i say, the less junk in the way of the signal the better.

Edit - and Lan, believe me man, I'd love to have you over (and probably would have much earlier) but my place is so cramped and the baby rules the roost there 24/7, let's just say we don't get many visitors of any type in the homestead right now - even 1911 gets the quadruple combo heat vision of the "eyes boring in the back" from the mom, sister, wife, and dog when he comes over (i think it was once to pick up his RS-1 and the other to pick up the Tushi - both times he ran for the hills asap lol). Not that I mind getting free babysitting on the weekends, but a one bedroom apt can get mighty cramped mighty quick lol. C-Pads, take me away!
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post #26 of 73
3/7/05 at 6:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssingh0
Is it better to get the breakout that will connect straight to the amplifier EVEN if you have very expensive interconnects?
As I'm also considering these two options for the Emu breakout cable from Fidaudio or Headphile, what I thought is that theoretically speaking, you'd have the Emu breakout cable sound degradation + expensive cable sound degradation. Degradation as in terms of straying from the goal of accuracy and changing the original signal as little as possible. However, since we're not talking about highend sources (just an educated guess and unless you mod the hell out of the Emu) and assuming different goals in high end audio, the tonality might play a bigger role. Some people have successfully combined different ICs or headphones extension cables to achieve a preferrable tonality. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want to use a really expensive cable on the Emu just for the better tonality unless I happen to have some really expensive cables lying around. If I did, I'd go for the adapter variant although as Jahn said, going the KISS is always a safe bet.

Please keep the impressions coming!
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post #27 of 73
3/7/05 at 6:58pm
ok less cable is better makes sense,

but now which to choose headphile or fidaudio?
i doubt anyone will buy both and compare, so we are left to comparing parts and design theory.

FIDAUDIO:
Quote:
0404 Breakout uses the same dual-twisted copper cable with foamed polypropylene dielectrics as our Cantus Series interconnects. It features a top-quality gold-plated D-9 connector with a solid metal housing and professional quality RCA connectors.
HEADPHILE:
Quote:
Solid fine silver wire with low mass terminations and Teflon/Air dielectric in a twisted pair design.
design philosophy:
FIDAUDIO:
Quote:
neutral tonal balance with an incredibly rich, detailed midrange and a very wide soundstage.
..."creamy, smooth and rich. They have a nice musical flow"

HEADPHILE:
Quote:
with neutrality a goal with most cables... Copper has more time smear, often referred to as "warmth" mostly noticed in the midrange. Extreme time smear will sound congested, muddy, bloated and brittle. Poorly designed silver can sound bright and brittle. With versatile and unique cables and modifications, I strive to design products a cut above what you would normally expect for the price.
fidaudio seems to influence the sound/soundstage, whereas headphile seems to acknowledge the inherent problems and work against them. (of course saying this is really worthless as far as the reality of the comparative sound)

Total Cost (to US)
FIDAUDIO: 47 + 6 = 53
HEADPHILE: 50

Connector
FIDAUDIO: says it's a "top-quality gold-plated D-9 connector with a solid metal housing "
HEADPHILE: same gold plated, except hard plastic casing

Warranty
FIDAUDIO: 2 years
HEADPHILE: 1 year with proper care that includes not kinking, maintaining circumference greater than 3", etc.

Which to choose?
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post #28 of 73
3/7/05 at 7:08pm
I'm shooting in the dark too, but hearing how Fid-Audio is copper (my preferred cabling) but still tight and detailed (versus what you usually hear about copper, which is adding warmth) seemed like a good combo.
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post #29 of 73
3/7/05 at 7:36pm
Thread Starter 
sorry, guys.

i do have an fidaudio 0404 adapter & the fidaudio 0404 interconnect. currently i'm using the adapter only but with the original fidaudio cantus ic, that is exactly the same as the 0404 ic with an additional connection inbetween.

i was not able to do a fair test using the 0404 ic alone so far, because i did some minor upgrades in my rig and because i will have to rearrange my computer due to its short length. i will post some impressions after a proper burn-in of >120h. i'll connect it tomorrow... so please be patient until weekend.

the reason why i ordered the adapter was mainly the option to roll ics. i've spend some money on different cables over the last year and feel that there are differing synergies with my different amps. if you don't own very good ics already, i'd recommend to buy the 0404 interconnect instead. the cantus is one of my favourite ics with the wna/hd650 combo.

bear in mind, that fiddler is a musician with a very subtle hearing. this guy knows, how to design cables.
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post #30 of 73
3/7/05 at 10:17pm
I just use the E-MU with my stereo now, don't listen to my SR-80's or HD-580's anymore really, I just prefer the sound coming AT and using both ears to localize the instruments on the soundstage, rather than having a higher fidelity pumped into my ears from the sides.

I know that my cans have a better fidelity, but i'm wondering if it's worth buying one of these cables. The stock one looks cheap..

I don't however believe the cable should "alter" the sound properties at _all_. They should just get the sound across with enough RF protection to keep it all clean.

Basically, i'm wondering if my reference bookshelf speakers would benefit from this wire. And about the cables breaking in? that's extremely hokey pokey.
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