In my long experience of connections I have always found AES to be better than single ended and especially when adaptors are used as as that is another thing in the circuit and it always adds it's own signature. Also AES is usually devoid of hum, can't say that about single ended.
AES/EBU vs SPDIF and AES/EBU to SPDIF adaptor
i guess this is kind of a two fold question. I am looking into a newer DAC and have been using a Chord Cutest for my Bluesound Node to stream. I also have an Ayre C5xe-mp CD player that I also want to use a DAC to improve the sound. I am currently using an Ayre AES to SE adapter, and am curious what the downfalls are of using an adapter vs a DAC with AES input capability.
I really like the Cutest and want to upgrade to the Hugo TT But the Hugo doesn’t have the AES input. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill or will having a AES input on the DAC be that much better?
Thank you in advance.
theo