Solo streamer

@rvpiano what works for me is few days of relaxed listening using one cable. Make mental notes. Let it sink in. Then switch cables and do few more days of listening to the same tracks. It’s never a good idea to do a quick a/b. It’s a sure way of making a mistake.

@lalitk

As I’ve indicated, I think I’m through experimenting.
The set is sounding so good lately with the Shunyata, I might  
even hold on to it.

@rvpiano 

I concur with @audphile1 advise. All you need a well constructed USB cable. Both DH Labs or Zavfino are reasonably priced and good bang for the buck! 

If you choose to get one of these cables, just plugged it in and continuing listening to music and not focus on the cable. Give it 2-3 weeks and then swap back the stock cable and let us know your impressions.

@rvpiano 👍

Thanks for the recommendations but I  think I’m going to stick with the stock cable.  The set is sounding good as it is.

@rvpiano

You seem to like AQ cables, why not try one of their USB’s like Coffee, 

https://www.audioquest.com/products/coffee-usb-a-b-digital-audio-cable

@rvpiano  If you still want to try a good USB cable and not pay a ton of money for it, DH Labs Mirage is very good. Upscale carries the line so that’s a risk free trial with their return policy. I used this cable and liked it. It’s worth comparing to stock USB to see if you like it better. DH Labs cables are great value for the money. 
https://upscaleaudio.com/products/dh-labs-mirage-usb-cable

Mostly high level Morrow interconnects, Audioquest power chords, Robin Hood speaker cables.

@rvpiano 

Not sure if it’s been already asked, what brand of cables you’re using in rest of the system?

More specifically, DAC ➡️ Pre ➡️ Amp ➡️ Spealers and Power Cords. 

I have not had any luck with low end Shunyata cords. I have not extensively tested different ones. But the lower tiers were no better than stock or basic. I’m sure upper tier are great. 

It’s always prudent to pick the lowest hanging fruit first.

@rvpiano check TMR periodically. They have used and demo Audience cables pretty frequently.

I completely agree with @lalitk.   
The suggested cables are way over my system level and price range.  
I think I’ll just return the Shunyata and stick with the stock.

“Don’t want to make any cable changes until I settle on the next DAC.”

@audphile1  

That makes complete sense!  

@lalitk Definitely will give it a try. Had a bit of a chaotic couple of months with selling separates, getting integrated amps and doing a shootout, changing DACs. Settling down gradually. It will be a few months before I get to USB though. Don’t want to make any cable changes until I settle on the next DAC. 

@mclinnguy

The USB cables in discussion are all exemplary and their virtues further revealed in audio system that are capable or equally exemplary. No offense to OP system but Christiaan audio system at Hi Fi Advice is several leagues above OP’s system.

@audphile1

I am very familiar with Audience line of cables due to my long history with the brand. My recommendation would be to try Sinope, whenever you’re ready to step-up.

@lalitk ​​​​@mclinnguy thanks for the recommendation. 
By the way Audience has two more USB cables up from StudioOne. The FrontRow and FtontRow Reserve silver cable. Those are more in line with FTA Sinope price wise. 

@rvpiano  You need A-B. 

@rvpiano

Becoming very underwhelmed with the Shunyata USB cable. For the money spent I would have expected at least some improvement.

Hopefully your dealer offered a trial period like your player.

In Shunyata’s defense, this was a Gamma, which is Shunyata’s entry level USB cable at "just" $350. Given that the stock Aurender USB is a $100 cable, it is not much of a jump. I have read some glowing reports about their high end Omega digital cables, but how much does one want to spend? I offer no USB help, as my streamer/player optimizes AES connection over USB.

But if you have a large budget, based on my favourite reviewers recommendations, Christiaan at Hi Fi Advice, the Mad Scientist Prime USB has replaced the Final Touch Sinope as his preferred USB cable. Good review to read, as Christiaan’s reviews usually are, as he explains well the sound differences between other products, but he also quotes some of the recent advancements in USB cables development from Mad Scientists’ point of view. I think Mad Scientist offers a trial period, but I couldn’t find it quickly enough on their "odd" website.

Mad Scientist Prime USB review

+1, FTA Sinope USB. Audience Studio One is better than majority of USB’s out there and Audience makes good cables but Sinope is on another level. 

@audphile1 

I recommend you give FTA Sinope USB a shot…FTA’s tonal saturation, smoothness and texture is simply amazing. If I ever go back to USB, this would be my first choice. 

@audphile1 

Thank you for the recommendations.  I’m considering the Audience.  
Do I need an A-B or A-C connection?   

For some reason The Music Room has the 2m A-C for half price.

To add…I throw the stock Aurender USB cable into the mix every once in a while. I’ve done it enough times and listened to it long enough each time to eliminate confirmation bias. The AQ Diamond is a better cable. And so is the Audience. Of course all system dependent but I just don’t see how in the context of your system it would fail to impress. 
Try it from The Cable Company

@rvpiano one of the best USB cables I have tried is Audience StudioOne. Another is AudioQuest Diamond. 
Audience is fuller sounding, has more body and weight while retaining clarity and details. Soundstage is wide and deep. 
AQ Diamond is slightly leaner, faster sounding cable but still maintains natural tone. 
In your system with Benchmark DAC, I would highly recommend the Audience. I used it with DAC 3. I’m using the AQ Diamond now and recently compared it to Audience once again. I’m pretty sure you will not be underwhelmed with the Audience USB. It throws a massive stage that’s really stunning with large scale classical. 

FTA Sinope USB

Re-suggesting the Wireworld Platinum USB. OCC silver and a unique design. Several options out there in the used world. 

Becoming very underwhelmed with the Shunyata USB cable. For the money spent I would have expected at least some improvement. None apparent. Any suggestions for another one?  
I think my previous praise was confirmation bias.

Yeah,it was stupid to buy the best sounding player i have ever owned or even used for that matter.   

It sounds better than my streamer with most content, true high resolution material,  no but with most of what is available on streaming platforms it is superior. 

@mclinnguy 

Makes sense with what you’re saying. I have ripped all of my CD’s years ago and filtered my collection down to very best sounding albums. The exquisite sound quality of Japanese and Analog Productions CD/SACD’s are the only reason for my purchase. All new purchases gets ripped right away for convenience and when I’m in mood, they come out of case for playtime in my top loader CD player. 

@lalitk I have done with a few of them, such as Patricia Barber's A Fortnight in France as I believe we have discussed previously, some Japanese pressings, and some Linn hybrid layer's that aren't available on Qobuz, but for the albums that are on Qobuz, if there are any sq differences between the rips and streaming Qobuz I don't think it is worth the effort. I have 24 TB of storage capacity in my server, and I have used 140 GB of it. :) 

But I haven't bought any downloads in many months either. Streaming Qobuz sounds so good, I am currently preferring to put my money into better components, cables, vibration control/coupling apparatus, then look at streaming filters/switches. I still haven't experimented with PGGB software, once I get around to that, maybe this winter when golf season is over and I get bored, then I might have plenty of upsampled remastered CD files in storage. 

@mclinnguy

The nicest piano I ever played was a Steinway concert grand at a solo recital I gave at Carnegie Recital Hall, now called Weill Hall (not the large hall.)

“They also offer diffusion in my room”

@mclinnguy 
🤣……all jokes apart, have you thought about ripping the CD’s? Sadly, CD’s aren’t worth a dime anymore. I have 8-10 boxes full of CD’s in my garage. They will eventually end up a goodwill store :-)

@oddiofyl 

 I like owning the physical media.   

I hear ya. I have about 500 cd's and no player. Don't think I ever will spin them again but I still keep them for sentimental reasons. They also offer diffusion in my room. 

@rvpiano

I also like to play SACDs. I have a converter (DBOB) that brings out the best in them. Sounds maybe even better than the N200.

Just to clarify your statement:

I also like to play SACDs. I have a converter (DBOB) that brings out the best in them. Sounds maybe even better than the N200 with the Benchmark DAC3B.

What was the nicest piano you ever played? 

It’s still fun for me to spin records despite my immobility.  Each record has a different character and is special to me.  Luckily, I don’t have much audible surface noise on most of them.  
I also like to play SACDs.  I have a converter (DBOB) that brings out the best in them.  Sounds maybe even better than the N200.

I still like the ritual of vinyl and CDs but the N200 is like a really high end sounding g jukebox.  I have discovered so much great music since 2019 when I got the Vault.  

Artists and albums that I really like I buy.   I like owning the physical media.   

@rvpiano

…

It’s interesting how close the sound of the N200 is to analog sound, practically identical.

Minus tick, pops, noisy dead wax and getting up every 15min to flip a record then rush back to the chair to manage to sit back down in time to hear the first notes played.

I sold my fairly decent analog setup (MoFi UltraDeck, Hana ML, Sutherland 20/20 MkII with LPS) to focus on digital playback and stop the arms race between analog and digital. With Aurender N200 and a good DAC, I fee vinyl becomes nothing but a throwback.

Been there…Done that.

Oh no, you're gonna buy something turntable related now ....

Actually, tell a lie, I once compared a Haydn symphony LP to the same performance on the Aurender.

I just for the first time since I got the Aurender started playing records again, which is difficult for me because of mobility problems. ( Much easier to sit back with my tablet and touch the screen.)
It’s interesting how close the sound of the N200 is to analog sound, practically identical.

Yes, when I called Aurender they said to remove the coax.

@rvpiano 👍

keep cooking it. I would also disconnect and remove the coax if you’re not using it. Eliminate the unnecessary connection and cable - reduce the chances of EMI and RFi creeping in.

Glad you are enjoying it ...   

Everything breaking in nicely.  Sound getting better every day.

Good deal.  I would snap that up

@dxbwineguy

What output you’re going to be using with N10.
If USB then NO.
If SPDIF or AES, then buy N10.

@newbee 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I’ve actually played some of those transcriptions of symphonies for piano four hands with a friend of mine,  They’re really good.  Glenn Gould has played them for two hands wonderfully, also.  
I’ll look for those trio recordings.

N10 for $2500? That’ll be a steal! 

@audphile1 @lalitk need some advice. I am getting an N10 for around $2500. I honestly didn't anything about Aurender till I started following this thread. Do you think that 1. N10 is a worth buying 2. If yes, at the price of 2.5k?

regards,

Manu

RV, to help you get away from the electronics aspect of your music, try something I assume you might enjoy, and be a bit new for you. FWIW I've several  transcriptions for piano of Beethoven's Symphonies. Don't know why I have several because, frankly I really didn't connect. I almost missed these Symphonies which are performed by a trio. There are three recordings of them, my first was Sym #4 and the Archduke, The second was Sym #2 and #5, the last was Sym #6. Performed by Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and YoYo Ma on Sony. Music and sound you can just wallow in I think. You rarely hear this kind of chamber music! Try the #4 with the Archduke first if you are at all inclined.