EMM Lab DCC2 & CDSD Better connection?

Jonathan, I beg to differ. I've had the same digital front end for long enough to know how it sounds with different cables -- both the analog out, and digital ICs. I have tried several ST cables, Tara, XLO, even some specially polished ones from Wadia. They all provided minor improvement over "off the shelf" cables, but nothing even came close to the quantum leap in performance of the Aural Symphonics optical cable. I suggest you try one for yourself if you haven't yet.

Please note that ST cables take time to settle in(300hrs. I have tried 5 different types of ST cables and from the stock standard(one's that came with the emm labs gear-orange/black/blue/red), the Audioquest(stereophile recc.), AT&T(brand)and Aural Symphonics very first model that they all have a 'noticeable' different sound/presentation. The AS is so directional based for performance, that there is aChalk & Cheese difference(imaging crumbles)if it is the wrong way around. Not only changing the data cable gave you the most difference but even the clock cables changed the presentation smoothness. At the end of it all it comes down to personal preference.
It would be good for Emm to review their judgement if they could do a re-trial. But as Jon (Jtinn) says let's not get pulled in by other manufacturers who base their cost not on actuals(materials/labour and a bit of R&D time), but on who are it's potential users- which could be expensive!
Neville

As cautious as I am to approach this thread I will venture to make a comment. I do believe there are wide differences in speaker cables/interconnects but am more cautious about optical. For one, the cables are designed to run hundreds of kilometers to transmit information before they need any boosting. Data loss over a few meters would be exremely small. A second point specific to emm is that with the dac as the master clock and the cdsd slaved there is an infinite jitter barrier thus jitter is not really an issue. I am cautious to think that there is likely to be a major improvement. Frankly, money is just not that plentiful for me to spend several thousand on this chance. More music would likely be a better idea but its simply my opinion.

Gary

Well, the poor poor Emm Labs owners are now targets of the viscous optical gang cable manufactures.If one cannot hear the difference between a Aural Symphonics and a stock cord, then they must have a Tinn ear!!!I really am amazed at some of conclusions audiophiles reach based off of some suedo experiences of others,this example is text book. The Aural is one of the finest at time and space as far as resolution and dynamics ( as long as the light conversion is done well). One can only hope that you trust your own ears rather than some of the dealer ears that have agendas-Take care Dennis

Hey gyus, I have signed for a Comcast Digital Phone. I have recently purchased a new phone cable that makes enormous difference. Voices are now "in the room".

Jtinn, is telling the truth, the way it is, everything else does not differ much from a Radio Shack $50 Equalizer.

Regards,
Alex