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Why does my DAC sound so much better after upgrading digital SPDIF cable?

I like my Mps5 playback designs sacd/CD player but also use it as a DAC so that I can use my OPPO as a transport to play 24-96 and other high res files I burn to dvd-audio discs.

I was using a nordost silver shadow digital spdif cable between the transport and my dac as I felt it was more transparent and better treble than a higher priced audioquest digital cable a dealer had me audition.

I recently received the Synergistic Research Galileo new SX UEF digital cable.  Immediately I recognized that i was hearing far better bass, soundstage, and instrument separation than I had ever heard with high res files (non sacd),

While I am obviously impressed with this high end digital cable and strongly encourage others to audition it, I am puzzled how the cable transporting digital information to my DAC from my transport makes such a big difference.

The DAC take the digital information and shapes the sound so why should the cable providing it the info be so important. I would think any competently built digital cable would be adequate....I get the cable from the DAC to the preamp and preamp to amp matter but would think the cable to the DAC would be much less important.

I will now experiment to see if using the external transport to send red book CD files to my playback mps5 sounds better than using the transport inside the mps5 itself.

The MPS5 sounds pretty great for ca and awesome with SACD so doubt external transport will be improvement for redhook cds


128x128karmapolice

Showing 7 responses by chrisg1000

chrisg1000
20 posts
 
I’m late in responding to this, but I agree there is absolutely a difference in digital cables. I run USB from my PC to my DAC. I recently changed the cord due to relocation of my DAC. I did NOT do this in order to achieve better sound. I thought “bits are bits”. 
I couldn’t have been more wrong. The difference was significant. Like listening to two different DAC’s head-to-head. Not going to say one was better, but they were CLEARLY different. As luck would have it I preferred the new cable. 
chrisg1000
20 posts
 
If you’re asking me, I have a Chord DAC. 
While not cream of the crop, it’s not a piece of crap, or a Schitt. 
And how is a DAC supposed to correct it? The DAC will do what’s it’s supposed to with the signal it receives. 
chrisg1000
20 posts
 
I have a Chord Qutest ($1,800). And again, the point of the new cable was *not* an attempt at better sound. But the difference in sound was definitely there. And, no I wasn’t running the amp loud. 9:00 on a knob that starts at 7:00. 
I was of the mindset that bits are bits, so I was mildly shocked. 
Not trying to argue, but tests or no tests there was a difference. 
Just sharing my unbiased opinion. 
chrisg1000
20 posts
 
Wow. I really didn’t want to go there. And, while having lurked here for many years I’m new to posting. I don’t know this individual. But, I can see  why people share a negative opinion of this person. It’s like talking to a know-it-all brick wall. I’ll run some tests and verify that. 🙄
chrisg1000
20 posts
 
To add to my thoughts- I was so convinced there would be no difference I purchased a $30 cable. This was not some fancy audiophile cable. 
I would equate the difference to swapping speaker cables. I have no idea what a test would show, but clearly different speaker cables sound different even using the same material and gauge. 
chrisg1000
20 posts
 
Yeah, sorry dude. You’re nuts. It’s not placebo. It’s quite the opposite. I expected  it to be the same and it was not. 
This has nothing to do with good hearing. 
chrisg1000
20 posts
 
Lol. There’s one more possibility...

And I never said it was a cheaper cable. 
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