[Rob Watts]

It seems I don't need to add much!

To summarise - don't bother with audiophile USB cables, they either sound the same as certified generic class 2 USB cables, or they sound worse by creating more RF noise thus giving the false impression of better transparency. The extra RF noise gets into the DAC and then creates more noise floor modulation. Also, optical is the best digital connection, use KableDirekt - they sound identical to glass fibre, and are inexpensive, and works at 5m at 192k. USB can sound as good as optical, but it depends upon how noisy the source is. Use a mobile phone, or a battery powered laptop as your reference source, with of course an app that provides bit perfect data. Don't be tempted with USB re-clockers etc, as they again increase RF noise and then give the false impression of better transparency.

Give the Wave cables a go, I use Stream, as they do work and sound better for the Hugo M scaler to DAC connection. And using a powerbank on the M scaler eliminated the need for the Wave cables - but this was with optical feeding the Hugo M scaler.

 

[FunkyBassMan]

It seems I don't need to add much!

To summarise - don't bother with audiophile USB cables, they either sound the same as certified generic class 2 USB cables, or they sound worse by creating more RF noise thus giving the false impression of better transparency. The extra RF noise gets into the DAC and then creates more noise floor modulation. Also, optical is the best digital connection, use KableDirekt - they sound identical to glass fibre, and are inexpensive, and works at 5m at 192k. USB can sound as good as optical, but it depends upon how noisy the source is. Use a mobile phone, or a battery powered laptop as your reference source, with of course an app that provides bit perfect data. Don't be tempted with USB re-clockers etc, as they again increase RF noise and then give the false impression of better transparency.

Give the Wave cables a go, I use Stream, as they do work and sound better for the Hugo M scaler to DAC connection. And using a powerbank on the M scaler eliminated the need for the Wave cables - but this was with optical feeding the Hugo M scaler.

Thank you so much!! Now I have a game plan.

 

[LisaShayBrown]

It seems I don't need to add much!

To summarise - don't bother with audiophile USB cables, they either sound the same as certified generic class 2 USB cables, or they sound worse by creating more RF noise thus giving the false impression of better transparency. The extra RF noise gets into the DAC and then creates more noise floor modulation. Also, optical is the best digital connection, use KableDirekt - they sound identical to glass fibre, and are inexpensive, and works at 5m at 192k. USB can sound as good as optical, but it depends upon how noisy the source is. Use a mobile phone, or a battery powered laptop as your reference source, with of course an app that provides bit perfect data. Don't be tempted with USB re-clockers etc, as they again increase RF noise and then give the false impression of better transparency.

Give the Wave cables a go, I use Stream, as they do work and sound better for the Hugo M scaler to DAC connection. And using a powerbank on the M scaler eliminated the need for the Wave cables - but this was with optical feeding the Hugo M scaler.

Awesomeness.

 

[zen87192]

Thank you so much!! Now I have a game plan.

I hope its not going to involve buying a Topping! (nothing against Topping you understand)

 

[FunkyBassMan]

I hope its not going to involve buying a Topping! (nothing against Topping you understand)

Hmmm...I couldn't tell you what a "Topping" is, unless it's Belgian fudge, in which case count me in.

 

[Whazzzup]

I prefer butter cream as my fondant

 

[alphaman]

An off-topic question for Mr. Watts ... but since he is familiar with delta-sigma and noise shaping for his own DACs, maybe he can explain the rationale behind why AKM -- in their newest lineup -- would want to split up the DAC into two unconventional ICs?
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/akm-new-flagship-ak4191-ak4499ex.38702/

 

[FunkyBassMan]

Rob Watts says optical is the best connection to the MScaler.

What good solutions are there from coming out of a Macbook Pro (that only has a USB-C interface)? Are there USB-C -> Optical convertors that you all can recommend?

Would something like this work? https://www.amazon.com/Reiyin-Conve...o+Optical+Audio+Adapter&qid=1671208994&sr=8-6

 

[Uberding]

Rob Watts says optical is the best connection to the MScaler.

What good solutions are there from coming out of a Macbook Pro (that only has a USB-C interface)? Are there USB-C -> Optical convertors that you all can recommend?

Would something like this work? https://www.amazon.com/Reiyin-Conve...o+Optical+Audio+Adapter&qid=1671208994&sr=8-6

While there are DDCs in the high-end price bracket perhaps more suitable for the Mscaler (?) such as:

https://www.denafrips.com/ddc

I‘m using this for Macbook > Hugo2 with good results.
It’s nice to also have RCA Coax and I2S

https://www.amazon.com/HiFiGo-PO100-PRO-Portable-Low-Jitter/dp/B0BMQD1QHY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=WXRBJ6ZTYA0C&keywords=smsl+po100&qid=1671217489&sprefix=smsl+PO,aps,142&sr=8-3&th=1

EDIT: I Got mine from SMSL.
Just noticed that Amazon seller lists it as a DAC which it’s not. It’s a DDC

 

[Kentajalli]

There has never been a definite advice that optical is best on Chord DACs, even if USB was perfectly noise free.
A clean USB and optical are the same up to 192kHz sampling rate.
USB can go higher, what use, I wouldn't know.
Therefore, to have a clean USB for sure, just get a Topping HS01 , it is cheap enough, effective, gives a full USB bandwidth with galvanic isolation.
Problem solved.

 

[FunkyBassMan]

There has never been a definite advice that optical is best on Chord DACs, even if USB was perfectly noise free.
A clean USB and optical are the same up to 192kHz sampling rate.
USB can go higher, what use, I wouldn't know.
Therefore, to have a clean USB for sure, just get a Topping HS01 , it is cheap enough, effective, gives a full USB bandwidth with galvanic isolation.
Problem solved.

Thanks -
Fascinating. I've never heard of an "audio isolator". What does it actually do?

 

[pkny]

FYI
Mscaler and all Chord desktop DACs already have build-in USB galvanic isolation.

 

[Kentajalli]

Thanks -
Fascinating. I've never heard of an "audio isolator". What does it actually do?

if a Dac has no electrical isolation from a noisy computer (Such as Chords portable devices) , the noise can get into the dac and possibly do some harm.
Optical connection has no wires, so such noise gets blocked.
The Topping HS01 is a USB isolator. meaning wires from the computer are not connected to its output.
So you can have your USB and eat it!
I mean cake .

 

[Reactcore]

FYI
Mscaler and all Chord desktop DACs already have build-in USB galvanic isolation.

True they have isolation.. but it has been confirmed a 2pF capacitance still excist letting the highest frequencies through the digital copper inputs.
And from Mscaler were talking about 2Ghz.

It is why i went to such lengths to build a optic dualdata link

 

[pkny]

True they have isolation.. but it has been confirmed a 2pF capacitance still excist letting the highest frequencies through.
And from Mscaler were talking about 2Ghz.

It is why i went to such lengths to build a optic dualdata link

Agree. So, that's why adding additional USB galvanic isolation won't help. Optical is the way to go.

By the way, where did you find 2pF on USB galvanic isolation? I only see Rob mentioned 2pF on DBNC side.