[seeteeyou]

Currawong , what adapter are you using? Usb b to micro usb? Do you have a link?

 
Let's see, here's an option from Japan
 
http://shop.zionote.com/?pid=84733792
http://www.oliospec-pcaudio.com/index.php?action=item_detail&itemCode=WD-USB-Bf-MicroBm
 
More choices from the same company in Korea
 
http://www.highendcity.com/usb-adapter-b-f-to-micro-b-m/
 

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Someone tried WireDream in China and it's slightly better than this Audioquest adapter
 
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQUSBMIC
http://www.custom-cable.co.uk/audioquest-micro-usb-adapter.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audioquest-Micro-Adaptor-Female-Male/dp/B00M0H4J6C
 

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For balanced output to an external amp, we could make our own XLR cables with PEE11
 
http://www.soundfidelity.co.uk/products/astellkern/pee11-balanced-jack-diy-kit/
http://www.equip-u.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17385
http://store.tramscom.com/product/63-11741893/2cb012-cmgr57/astell-and-kern-pee11-balanced-jack-module
 

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In addition to the official PEF11 with Mundorf and PEF12 with Crystal Cable, there are other choices now
 
https://www.facebook.com/dhcaudio/posts/768039886614384
http://www.doublehelixcables.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=149
http://www.airaudio.co.uk/brands/air-audio-services/premium-balanced-cable-for-astellkern-players-pbc-2201/

 

[b0ssMax]

Whoa seeteeyou lots to choices. Thanks

 

[Somphon]

  Guys, please don't be abusive. 
 
FWIW, when using the AK240 as a DAC I noticed a tiny improvement switching from a regular micro-USB cable to using my Oyaide d+ Neo with an adaptor, but only when listening to excellent recordings. I should try my USB isolator. 
 
The more significant difference with the USB cables though was when transferring music. A regular USB cable was unreliable, but the Oyaide or the Black Dragon I have now were more reliable. I think the mediocre Android File Transfer from Google is to blame.

 
Sorry about that, got a bit carried away. 
 
I've tried Silver Dragon and DHC "Metagenome" USB Cable and I can also hear difference from switching cables. While SD was good, DHC gave darker, cleaner background. (at more than double the cost). I suppose it has to do with quality of cables allowing every bit to be transfered without loses or corruption of data.
 
To my humble ears, using USB Isolator, 16/44 sounds as good or better (depends on recording) than 24/192 without. Now I don't bother much with if the file is hi-def or not to get good music.

 

[burtomr]

  To my humble ears, using USB Isolator, 16/44 sounds as good or better (depends on recording) than 24/192 without. Now I don't bother much with if the file is hi-def or not to get good music.

 
How is the USB isolator used? Is it only used when a laptop or music server is plugged into AC?

 

[Currawong]

 I suppose it has to do with quality of cables allowing every bit to be transfered without loses or corruption of data.
 
To my humble ears, using USB Isolator, 16/44 sounds as good or better (depends on recording) than 24/192 without. Now I don't bother much with if the file is hi-def or not to get good music.

 
It is not loss or corruption of data, which would result in pops or crackling in the music, but noise being carried over the USB cable from the computer. Now that electronics have come far enough that jitter rejection is normal, this is the only thing that remains that can cause problems as far as I know.

 

[Somphon]

It is not loss or corruption of data, which would result in pops or crackling in the music, but noise being carried over the USB cable from the computer. Now that electronics have come far enough that jitter rejection is normal, this is the only thing that remains that can cause problems as far as I know.

True, loss packet=pop crack
Ground noise from source is carried over. I was never a believer in digital cables but after hearing the difference, make me wonder what is the cause of the different sound I was hearing. (Or maybe dreaming) I suppose that's why it's such a big argument. I, for one used to be on the other side believe there can't be any different in digital cables at short distance. Yet, recently I've hear differently.

How is the USB isolator used? Is it only used when a laptop or music server is plugged into AC?

it sits between my source and dac data cable to isolate ground from each unit this preventing ground noise.

 

[goodvibes]

If you hear a difference in cables, that is a form of jitter. Resampling or jitter correction isn't the same as not having it in the first place. I signal can be made virtually jitter free but be less correct than the original. 

 

[Rico613]

Has anyone compared the A&K 120ii or 240 to IBasso DX90 ?  (headphone outputs)  I'm just curious if it's worth the upgrade from my DX 90.  
 
Can anyone tell me what frequencies are adjustable on the A&K equalizer?
 
Thanks much . . .

 

[Denzelwng4]

  Has anyone compared the A&K 120ii or 240 to IBasso DX90 ?  (headphone outputs)  I'm just curious if it's worth the upgrade from my DX 90.  
 
Can anyone tell me what frequencies are adjustable on the A&K equalizer?
 
Thanks much . . .

I happened to owned, ibasso dx90 then switched to ak120ii now i got AK240...
for me, 120ii and 240 doesn't have that much difference as they are using the same DAC's  its just the storage, look and ergonomics on AK240 is better on me.
DX90 for me, is on the darker, warm side....bass are more emphasized....AK's are on neutral and wider side....
 
AND there 10 adjustable freq for AK240, those are:  30, 60, 120, 250, 500, 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, and 16kHz.

 

[Rico613]

 

  Has anyone compared the A&K 120ii or 240 to IBasso DX90 ?  (headphone outputs)  I'm just curious if it's worth the upgrade from my DX 90.  
 
Can anyone tell me what frequencies are adjustable on the A&K equalizer?
 
Thanks much . . .

I happened to owned, ibasso dx90 then switched to ak120ii now i got AK240...
for me, 120ii and 240 doesn't have that much difference as they are using the same DAC's  its just the storage, look and ergonomics on AK240 is better on me.
DX90 for me, is on the darker, warm side....bass are more emphasized....AK's are on neutral and wider side....
 
AND there 10 adjustable freq for AK240, those are:  30, 60, 120, 250, 500, 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, and 16kHz.

Hmmm . . . the AK240 EQ bands look to be more useful than the DX90.  What IEM's or can's are you using?  I'd be using JHA 16 pro's, but at least one guy here didn't like the JHA 13 with AK's.  

 

[Denzelwng4]

 
Hmmm . . . the AK240 EQ bands look to be more useful than the DX90.  What IEM's or can's are you using?  I'd be using JHA 16 pro's, but at least one guy here didn't like the JHA 13 with AK's.  

im using 1964 ears V8 with upgrade cable 4-wire copper... for can Aedle Vk1 or dt1350

 

[Rico613]

^ nice  

 

[yurix67]

Hi there!
What is heard on the support .CUE in the new firmware !?

 

[kh600rr]

Anyone having any issues with the latest Firmware update?

 

[yurix67]

I'm on the last! no problem!