dstrimbu
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Musings on the Original (`73) Tubular Bells, Pt. I via Qobuz, after a cable change
I have been running Urd via Unison USB to Yggy, and my Aries streamer via AES3 to Yggy. I've done this with the MiB and OG A2 DACs, both Unison-capable, most recently the OG which is now in-circuit downstairs.
Long-term analysis:
different better?
I had the cables, so I said "why not, it's still early and it's Sunday!"
New config: Aries -> via USB -> URD DDC Port 1 -> via AES -> Yggy OG A2.
I don't think that I've ever heard Redbook audio sound this good - via local SSD, spinning CD or streaming. The weirdest part? The streamer now sounds very, very close to URD's CD presentation. The bass is incredibly deep and open. The highs are slightly rolled off, and that suits my speakers perfectly. It sounds endearingly analog, very different that it did when the Aries was feeding Yggy via AES.
Call me crazy. I have had a few drinks.
Later this week, we'll reconnect Urd to Yggy via Unison, to see if it sounds different, again.
Has anybody else experienced a positive difference in SQ when running a device through Urd as DDC? Yeah, I know, it shouldn't make any difference.
I have been running Urd via Unison USB to Yggy, and my Aries streamer via AES3 to Yggy. I've done this with the MiB and OG A2 DACs, both Unison-capable, most recently the OG which is now in-circuit downstairs.
Long-term analysis:
- Urd as CD player has always sounded the best of the digital sources vs. the streamer. The time domain / "PRAT"-ness of this thing is stunning.
- Urd as CD player has a very LP-like presentation, but with more visceral super-low-end below 30Hz.
- Aries has always sounded really, really good but could occasionally be slightly 'sharp-edged', even when streaming the same track at different times. Some of this could be in my head, some of this could be based on environment. Hell, all of this is in my head.
- The new Aries is a quite a lot better than his older brother in terms of sounding "analog".
- Conclusions:
- If you are listening casually, it really doesn't matter. Streaming is best because you never need to change media, and you can access it from anywhere,
- If you are listening analytically - i.e. sitting in front of the main speakers:
- Qobuz streams are really good, with some better than others...
- CD are even better, and more consistent in presentation overall, esp. w/r/t timing and fluidity, and
- LPs sound flat out the best on my gear, YMMV.
I had the cables, so I said "why not, it's still early and it's Sunday!"
New config: Aries -> via USB -> URD DDC Port 1 -> via AES -> Yggy OG A2.
I don't think that I've ever heard Redbook audio sound this good - via local SSD, spinning CD or streaming. The weirdest part? The streamer now sounds very, very close to URD's CD presentation. The bass is incredibly deep and open. The highs are slightly rolled off, and that suits my speakers perfectly. It sounds endearingly analog, very different that it did when the Aries was feeding Yggy via AES.
Call me crazy. I have had a few drinks.
Later this week, we'll reconnect Urd to Yggy via Unison, to see if it sounds different, again.
Has anybody else experienced a positive difference in SQ when running a device through Urd as DDC? Yeah, I know, it shouldn't make any difference.