Mrs. Hyde
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Posts
- 18
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- 0
Hi
When I compare the following:
X-Fi Elite Pro – Analogue out (Quenex J2P) – Sugden Headmaster – K701 or HD650
to
X-Fi Elite Pro – Digital Out – Benchmark DAC1 (revised edition) – Audio Note AN-A cable - Sugden Headmaster – K701 or HD650
then I cannot hear any difference. The Sugden has 3 inputs, so I can switch between the 2 options above and A/B them. No matter what I listen to, there is no difference at all.
Now, according to a number of posts I’ve read here at Head-Fi, the Benchmark (although fallen somewhat out of favour in these parts) should be a significant upgrade to a lowly soundcard as the X-Fi (comparable to unmodded 1212M I think).
Both the X-Fi and the Benchmark, as well as the K701/HD650 are well broken in (if that should make a difference).
Haven’t made any comparisons with my speakers (BW 801 first generation), as I almost never listen to them any more.
Any takers as to why I can’t hear a difference, whilst I should according to “conventional wisdom”:
1.My hearing is not sensitive enough to hear the differences, YMMV as they say.
2.Conventional wisdom at Head-Fi isn’t wisdom, it’s dogma, differences between sources are very small, if there are any.
3.The Sugden is not a good enough amp to show the differences.
4.My interconnects are not good enough, they mask any difference there might be.
5.Anything else.
Excuse any spelling errors, English is not my native language.
Regards
When I compare the following:
X-Fi Elite Pro – Analogue out (Quenex J2P) – Sugden Headmaster – K701 or HD650
to
X-Fi Elite Pro – Digital Out – Benchmark DAC1 (revised edition) – Audio Note AN-A cable - Sugden Headmaster – K701 or HD650
then I cannot hear any difference. The Sugden has 3 inputs, so I can switch between the 2 options above and A/B them. No matter what I listen to, there is no difference at all.
Now, according to a number of posts I’ve read here at Head-Fi, the Benchmark (although fallen somewhat out of favour in these parts) should be a significant upgrade to a lowly soundcard as the X-Fi (comparable to unmodded 1212M I think).
Both the X-Fi and the Benchmark, as well as the K701/HD650 are well broken in (if that should make a difference).
Haven’t made any comparisons with my speakers (BW 801 first generation), as I almost never listen to them any more.
Any takers as to why I can’t hear a difference, whilst I should according to “conventional wisdom”:
1.My hearing is not sensitive enough to hear the differences, YMMV as they say.
2.Conventional wisdom at Head-Fi isn’t wisdom, it’s dogma, differences between sources are very small, if there are any.
3.The Sugden is not a good enough amp to show the differences.
4.My interconnects are not good enough, they mask any difference there might be.
5.Anything else.
Excuse any spelling errors, English is not my native language.
Regards