Thanks so much. I never would have thought longer than 1.0M would actually sound better
Ill be checking your links out
Ill be checking your links out
Digital Cables: Optical, Coax, BNC, or a simple RCA interconnect?
Until recently I've been using a WireWorld Optical cable (~$100) which I bought when I was using a Pioneer PD 65 CD player as a transport (until it died) and optical was the only out option. So, I've been using my Oppo 105 to play both SACDs direct via XLRs to my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 dac/pre and recently using the optical cable for redbook playback.
Last week I was reading up on Coax, and one thread suggested trying a regular RCA interconnect, although the connectors are not 75ohms. I had a pair of DHLabs BL-1 (older light blue jacket) laying around and decided to compare it to the optical. Easy Peasy as the DDP-1 has various input connections which can be accessed on the remote. Well, amazing doesn't come close to how much the music became alive/tactile/3D.
So, I looked on DHLabs site after reading that their D-750 was highly regarded. They will let me return it if Im not satisfied. That's the good news, but a 1.0m cable is $150, certainly not expensive, but Pangea makes one that seems extremely well thought out and it's on sale at Audio Advisor for $49.95 plus free shipping, so I ordered it. Depending on how much it blows me away I may go ahead and order the DHLabs too, just to compare
Anybody have anything to contribute?
Last week I was reading up on Coax, and one thread suggested trying a regular RCA interconnect, although the connectors are not 75ohms. I had a pair of DHLabs BL-1 (older light blue jacket) laying around and decided to compare it to the optical. Easy Peasy as the DDP-1 has various input connections which can be accessed on the remote. Well, amazing doesn't come close to how much the music became alive/tactile/3D.
So, I looked on DHLabs site after reading that their D-750 was highly regarded. They will let me return it if Im not satisfied. That's the good news, but a 1.0m cable is $150, certainly not expensive, but Pangea makes one that seems extremely well thought out and it's on sale at Audio Advisor for $49.95 plus free shipping, so I ordered it. Depending on how much it blows me away I may go ahead and order the DHLabs too, just to compare
Anybody have anything to contribute?
Showing 10 responses by tweak1
I installed the Pangea 1.0M late yesterday. Some of the improvements were immediate; much better separation of singers/instruments, deeper sound stage, better bass impact. Over several hours this improved as well as timber and tone, and location of instruments and backup singers on a much more believable stage. CSN, which I have owned for 3+ decades was a perfect example of how amazing this cable is. Each voice was considerably more distinct from each other, and easy to tell whether it was Crosby or Nash; Stills sang mostly harmony until the last cut. New Favorite is a much better recording with similar distinctions How much better can the multi-hundred dollar coax cables be? Best $49.95 I've spent, well maybe the Machina Dynamica NEW Dark Matter applied to the CD tray. This is a must for CDs I ordered the 1.5M yesterday (only $10 more). It takes 3 days to get here, so I will have a couple days playtime should there be more break in. Which begs the question, what is approximate hours needed before coax breaks in? |
To whomever mentioned 1.5m will sound better: THANK YOU!!! Right out of the box it is solidly grounded: the music is more organic without losing the timber and tone of the 1.0m. It definitely plays bigger, more robust Now, this begs the question; has anyone compared the WireWorld Series 7/8 coax (1.5m MSRP $300), or the DHLabs 1.5m is $200. Hrrd to imagine they could be 3-5xs better than the Pangea |
This was posted by Ricevs in another thread. I have long used Machina Dynamic Springs, but these look like a possible upgrade. Can't wait to find out! https://www.smalley.com/wave-springs?creative=270098678569&keyword=springs&matchtype=e&n... |
The 1.5 performed much better, but how many hours of break-in before it really comes on song? Last night was day 6 of connection, but maybe 10 hours of actual play time. I listened to Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, followed by Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time (I have owned them both for ~10 years): they both sounded quantum levels better than they ever did, no matter whether I had an all tube system, or all SS with class AB amps. Cutting to the chase, ones digital connection could be why some have negative comments about class D OMG I see they also have a Premier XL $149 for 1.5m, so I’m ordering it now https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGDCPXL&variation=1.5 |
@auxinput Thanks for your input. When I called Audio Advisor to order the XL I spoke with Joe, who was surprised that I preferred the 1.5m to the 1.0m. He believes the 1.0 is better. In terms of pinpoint imaging it was, but it lacked the grounded nature of the 1.5m Wish I could buy more expensive versions just to hear how much better spending 2-5Xs as much will be. I read a 6moons review that compared the reviewers coax (forget whose) to both WireWorld Silver and Gold, the Gold being considerably more expensive, but he appreciated the improvement Unfortunately, my Oppo 105 only as one coax out, so I can’t simply switch between 2 |
As previously mentioned, I replaced the 1.5m Pangea Premier SE with the 1.5m Pangea XL, the presentation is much more intimate. I find my body grooving to the music: PRAT. Now, some 50 hours of play time later, I am blown away (especially for $150!). So far, every redbook CD I played I am much much closer to the actual recording: singers and instruments are extremely palpable and when recorded, bass, drums, and piano are very authoritative. https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGDCPXL&variation=1.5 |