Still Looking for a DAC - Audio Mirror Tubadour v and ANK Audio 5.1

BTW, my digital cable is Nordost Silver Shadow.

I kinda doubt that’s helping your situation at all. Even if you don’t keep the AM I very highly recommend you try this AZ MC2 digital cable as its sound characteristics seem more inline with your personal preferences. If it’s not just turn around and sell it for little/no loss, but I seriously think it’s worth your while to try. And yes, I own one and it’s amazing.  Read the reviews. My bet is you sell the Silver Shadow in a heartbeat and will make the AM sing in full voice.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaj916-acoustic-zen-mc2-digital-cable-rca-digital

I agree with soix. All digital cables sound very different.

Ok guys, after 4 days of non-stop playing, now it sounds normal. Basically one week of non-stop playing does the trick. I used only my solid state stuff with it to see what the DAC has to offer. So, it sounds good, balanced, not exactly tubes, no comparison with the earlier days. But I have a different problem now - it’s NO better than my Electrocompaniet EMC1-UP CDP, and the point of getting the AMT is fading. With all honesty I can say there’s no difference in sound. 

What do you think? Is it worth it or I should find something better, which as I understand now, would be quite expensive and difficult. I’ve been told before too that it’s gonna be a challenge to beat my CDP.

I’ll go back to I don’t think your digital cable is doing you favors and would give the AZ MC2 I mentioned above a try as it’s a low-risk proposition with potentially high rewards as digital cables matter a lot.  If that doesn’t do it you might wanna look at upping the game to something at an even higher level from the likes of Lampizator, T&A, etc. as your tastes dictate but that will cost $$$ and why I’m recommending just trying a new cable first.  Best of luck in getting this sorted.

@soix , thanks. I’m now using friend’s Kimber D60, which sounds almost the same.

When you mentioned AZ MC2 cables, did you mean RCA or XLR connections? Interestingly enough they’re both 110 Ohm design, should I ask for 75? I didn’t buy it from the link you provided, because I can get a better deal.