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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2019 16:44:35 GMT
The cheap dual-power USB DVD drive works perfectly, using the data cable in the Pi and power cable in my QP-1 PSU. Volumio detects a CD immediately without the need to restart. CDs benefit from all the reclocking and sound great. This is a perfect addition for the odd CD playback and cost me under £8.
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Post by John on May 9, 2019 17:10:11 GMT
Good result
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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2019 20:06:42 GMT
That Blue Jeans HDMI cable is really showing its abilities tonight. I played a very familiar track just now (Love & Pride by Alana Davis) and the depth and 3D soundstage are exceptional.
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Post by MartinT on May 10, 2019 10:58:38 GMT
My Blue Jeans order has just arrived from Seattle. Ordered Wednesday evening!
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Post by MartinT on May 10, 2019 16:42:31 GMT
The Blue Jeans Series-FE 0.9m copper HDMI cable is now in place. It's hardly had any time to settle yet but it's doing the same trick as the longer loan cable (which I now believe to be a slightly thicker Series-1 for long runs). There's a deeper presentation yet with very tight focus. Detail is excellent and there is no remnant of brightness compared with the silver plated Audioquest.
When considering them on outright performance, the BJ has the Audioquest nailed. Take into account the price difference and the BJ is clearly a no-brainer for I2S applications.
My system balance is nigh on perfect now.
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Post by SteveC on May 10, 2019 18:40:07 GMT
The Blue Jeans Series-FE 0.9m copper HDMI cable is now in place. It's hardly had any time to settle yet it's doing the same trick as the longer loan cable (which I now believe to be a slightly thicker Series-1 for long runs). There's a deeper presentation yet with very tight focus. Detail is excellent and there is no remnant of brightness compared with the silver plated Audioquest. When considering them on outright performance, the BJ has the Audioquest nailed. Take into account the price difference and the BJ is clearly a no-brainer for I2S applications. My system balance is nigh on perfect now. All you need is a record player!  |
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Post by MartinT on May 10, 2019 19:10:31 GMT
Sorry to say I'm not missing records or CDs one bit.
Surprised to be saying it.
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Post by John on May 11, 2019 18:38:28 GMT
I had a interesting session at Martin home today
The last time I heard his system Martin still was using the modified seg and his system was very engaging cymbals would appear in mid air
I could hear straight away that his bass had improved,so had the mid and treble. The sense of speed on Yello was intense. My only criticism was a slight edge in the treble region that improved as the session went on. Martin had recently put in a new HDMI cable and perhaps it was still burning in.
Martin has a few more changes in terms of speaker isolation and cables to try out which should all help with the sense of flow without losing the resolution
Martin's system is now a step in front of mine in terms of bass, detail and scale. I think mostly due to the DAC
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Post by MartinT on May 11, 2019 20:26:08 GMT
Thanks, John. I always value your input.
Yes, lots has happened some of which is documented in the thread about going hi-res. I'm really happy with how things have turned out. I've not spent any new money on the system, it's all reinvestment by selling off what I don't use any more or by swapping kit.
Coming soon are a pair of Townshend Podiums to put my speakers on (being custom made by Max), and a Fractal F1 XLR cable to upgrade the DCT-300 between DAC and preamp. I'm also looking at the best interconnect to go from preamp to power amp. All tweaks, no more system component changes after the DAC.
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Post by John on May 11, 2019 20:47:14 GMT
I think at the moment it about getting the synergy to where you want to I really think the speaker stands will help. And the cables should change the balance of the system
You have a very open sounding system where I think the next improvements will help with the musical flow
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Post by petea on May 11, 2019 22:43:44 GMT
Is the pre to power balanced, Martin?
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Post by MartinT on May 12, 2019 9:55:33 GMT
No, sadly the Belles power amp doesn't accept balanced inputs. DAC to pre is balanced as that sounds audibly better. I'll be listening to and looking for the best single-ended pre to power interconnect, only needs to be a short 0.8m. The current Black Cat Airwave 3202 is incredibly transparent but I want to try others to listen for the best balance.
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Post by petea on May 12, 2019 10:28:57 GMT
i can lend you a 1 m Fractal pair when you pop over if you like.
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Post by MartinT on May 12, 2019 12:14:43 GMT
Thanks, Pete. I may take you up on that!
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Post by MartinT on May 13, 2019 20:38:34 GMT
I'm grateful to petea for the loan of a Townshend Fractal F1 phono interconnect, to compare with my Black Cat Airwave 3202 between preamp and power amp. It became obvious straight away that this is going to be a battle of equals between two cables that do things differently. I cannot yet put my finger on what each is doing without a lot more comparing and swapping. I shall need more evenings in their company. |
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Post by julesd68 on May 13, 2019 21:04:52 GMT
So what cable are you using from DAC to pre Martin?
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Post by MartinT on May 13, 2019 21:13:35 GMT
That's a Townshend DCT-300 balanced cable, Jules. Completely different rules for balanced, though. It sounds way better than the Yannis XLR I was using previously and in a different class altogether above single-ended use in this position. The LKS balanced implementation is simply better.
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Post by julesd68 on May 13, 2019 21:14:44 GMT
Thanks, saves me trawling back through the thread!
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Post by MartinT on May 14, 2019 19:21:14 GMT
This is so interesting. The Fractals image slightly further back than the Black Cats. There is slightly less potency in the bass but the overall tonal balance is quite similar, the differences are almost all in the presentation. At first I thought the Fractals are slightly less dynamic but I can't be sure. Where I would say the Black Cats are very keen but a little 'loose', I would characterise the Fractals as tighter but a bit 'dry'. I also think the Fractals have less front to back depth and a touch less air.
Very roughly, the Black Cats do a better job with rock and the Fractals sound better for classical.
Both are highly musical and I like them both. Choosing between them would be a non-event as I would quickly grow used to whichever is in place.
If I was wanting more it's clearly going to need a step up. The Fractals would be a step sideways.
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Post by petea on May 15, 2019 7:19:42 GMT
Interesting comparison, Martin. I've only ever compared the Fractals with the DCT300s having moved to them from Siltech. And I'd introduced an Allegri+ prior to that, which the Fractals seem to suit very well - not so surprising really I suppose as they are built using Fractal wire also.
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