Optimizing input to Audiolab 8200CDQ?

[Radu BZB]

Hello,

 

Maybe this thread is old but I'd like to share my listening experience with the Audiolab 8200CDQ.

 

My best listening set-up for this DAC was achieved with how another user mentioned here.  

 

You can find the system chain below with details. 

 

Synology NAS -> Audioquest Carbon Ethernet -> TPlink Network Switch -> Audioquest Carbon Ethernet -> Raspberry Pi 3 Volumio -> Wireworld Ultraviolet USB -> ifi Audio Nano iUSB -> Wirelworld Ultraviolet USB -> ifi iONE DAC (and USB to Spdif output) -> Chord Prodac coaxial -> Coax 1 input of Audiolab 8200CDQ

 

Music is stored on a Synology NAS and connected in the same Isotek Polaris filter/power strip as the other components of the system (I found the NAS to be sensitive to filtering strip - Supra power strip had less details). The NAS has a separate chinese power supply (switching but which can accomodate IEC hi fi Cables - I use Supra Power Cable Lorad 2.5).

 

The NAS outputs data through a Audioquest Carbon Ethernet Cable (silver plated OFC) to a TPLinkNetwork Switch. I found that QED Performance Ethernet is also good, less detailed but more suited for direct USB connection to DAC - will detail later).  The TPLinkNetwork Switch that has an IFI audio Power Supply connected to a Supra filter/power strip.

 

The TPlink Switch outputs through another Audioquest Carbon Ethernet Cable to a Raspberry Pi 3 (Volumio installed). The Raspi then sends USB data through Wireworld Ultraviolet (also silver plated OFC) to a IFI Audio NANO iUSB. The iFi regenerates/reclocks the USB signal and also powers the Raspi through a second USB out that only has power outuput (the iUSB also has a IFI Power Supply that receives power from the Isotek Polaris filter/power strip). 

 

The ifi iUSB outputs Data and also power to an ifi iOne (DAC and spdif converter) through a same Wireworld Ultraviolet USB. The ifi iOne outputs coaxial through a Chord Prodac cable (OFC). 

 

I use BubbleUPNP to playback music from a tablet or mobile phone with Android. I can see in Bubble UPNP the Volumio Renderer and Synology NAS out of the box. 

 

This setup gives me so far the best results. Music is more detailed and less harsh than on CD. I also found that coaxial input is better sounding than direct USB for the Audiolab CDQ. I also had some David Bowie and Eagles FLACs at 192khz that could not be played through USB because this input is limited to 96khz. 

 

Maybe similar results can be achieved through a laptop with a usb to spdif converter but I found that every link in the setup described above did bring a small improvement in sound over direct USB to Audiolab 8200CDQ. 

 

I also found that the Audiloab 8200CDQ is very sensitive to power. Better power cables will surely improve the sound. You can easily tell by listening through the headphone out. I used Supra Lorad for some time but I found Chord Company Power Chord to make the Audiolab sound very natural.

 

For a while, I also used the Audiolab 8200CDQ as a preamp directly to a NAD C272 power amp. I figured that shorter music playback chain would be better but when I added the NAD C162 preamp (matched with the NAD power amp) I found that the Audiolab 8200CDQ to be harsh and digital compared to the NAD. 

 

The Audiolab 8200CDQ is a good allrounder but the DAC is it's best part. Especially the Optimum Digital Transiend DD digital filter which is the latest filter added to the V12 version of the CDQ from which I read online. 

 

In my system it FLACs sounds warm, detailed, loud and surprisingly analog. I'm using Chord Co Chorus interconnects and Chord Co Oddissey speaker calbes (plus Chord Co Epic jumpers) to a pair of floorstanding Bowers and Wilkins DM603 S2 speakers. I'm thinking of the changing the Chord Prodac OFC coaxial cable to a pure silver one but I'm in doubts as it may change the analog sound for digital.