Listen to cable directionality

[sandyk]

Has anyone experimented with DAC placement?

I mean, can a DAC sound different depending on whether it's been placed on the shelf above or below the amplifier?

 

I ask this because I thought that perhaps gravity might help with conductivity, and this could be a good or a bad thing depending on the system...

 

R

 

Just make sure it isn't exposed to too much vibration from the speakers, as it may affect Xtal stability.

[r_w]

They all sounded really nice on my system, nothing more to add.

 

I made my own cables from the 100m reel of balanced solid silver cable I bought which has no markings so at least that manufacturer - who ever they were - didn't concern themselves with directionality.

 

This experiment clarifies for me, If I'm using my wires the wrong way round, I couldn't care less.

[sandyk]

Is anybody able to hear any difference between the attached, and either of the track 2 versions ?

Plissken may be able to ?

 

Download the files (within 14 days) here:

https://fil.email/LJH8l

[witchdoctor]

Did you really expect any better? LOL

 

I don't see you doing any better LOL.

[witchdoctor]

Why wouldn't I? its a well conceived evaluation.

 

 

But there were no measurements

[witchdoctor]

semente, I have experimented with DAC placement and have found using an isolation system brought improvements. The one I use is from mapleshade, YMMV. This review is from a guy that used it for the turntable setup but it works with DACs, servers, etc

 

Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Mapleshade Isolation Platform Accessory by Frank_Locke

 

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Vibration-Control-For-Digital-Audio/products/127/

 

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Unfinished-15-x-12-x-2-Vibration-Control-Kit/productinfo/VCS1512EL1/

[plissken]

But there were no measurements

 

Don't be so sure about that

[esldude]

I don't see you doing any better LOL.

 

You know it is OK to listen and say they sound the same to you. Or is that something you are not willing to admit even if it is true?

[esldude]

Is anybody able to hear any difference between the attached, and either of the track 2 versions ?

Plissken may be able to ?

 

Download the files (within 14 days) here:

https://fil.email/LJH8l

 

I listened this morning Alex. It seems maybe your version has a softer more intimate quality to it. The difference I hear is very small however. Might not even be real. What is different about it?

[pdxway]

On my android phone, the songs sounded nice. But I can't hear a different. Well, this means majority of users out there don't care.

[witchdoctor]

On my android phone, the songs sounded nice. But I can't hear a different. Well, this means majority of users out there don't care.

 

That's obvious but how many users are computer audiophiles? Different market

[esldude]

That's obvious but how many users are computer audiophiles? Different market

 

Maybe, maybe not. Android phones are computers. AQ makes headphone cables too.

Cable — AudioQuest Headphones, DACS, Digital Audio Products, and Accessories

 

Lots of people will use their phone as a source for cars or increasingly you can connect them via USB. Showing off some new music at a friend's house. You can in some cases just plug up your phone and play.

[Jud]

Been quite busy but hoping to get to this today or tomorrow.

[esldude]

Been quite busy but hoping to get to this today or tomorrow.

 

That sounds good. Wondered if you had tried the mono file and what you thought. It is possible a good many things could be done this way if you have some particular tests in mind.

[pdxway]

That's obvious but how many users are computer audiophiles? Different market

 

My systems are modest.

 

So, you said Samsung Note 5 is not good enough.

 

I have two others options at home:

MacBook to Emotiva Stealth DAC to headset

MacBook to NAD c390dd to Paradigm Studio 10 speakers

Are they good enough for you to even attempt a listen to your test files?

[plissken]

My systems are modest.

 

So, you said Samsung Note 5 is not good enough.

 

I have two others options at home:

MacBook to Emotiva Stealth DAC to headset

MacBook to NAD c390dd to Paradigm Studio 10 speakers

Are they good enough for you to even attempt a listen to your test files?

 

Your systems sure are (if the HP are decent). The DC-1 is an awesome DAC. I just compared it to a Bel Canto and shipped the Bel Canto back. That was $500 vs $2400 mind you.

[gmgraves]

In another thread, mainly about Audioquest cables and the little arrows indicating the proper direction for the cable there was much back and forth as to whether it was audible which way a cable was oriented.

 

Using some AQ Diamond interconnects I recorded 5 tracks. Each has an A and B version. One version of each follows the path of the cable as suggested by AQ. One version has the cable reversed. Which is which varies from track to track. I am not posting a poll as they seem to get little participation. However you can download the zip file below and it will open into a folder with all ten tracks. See if you can hear which direction is reversed. The odds of guessing right on all five is 1 out of 32. You don't have to listen to all of course.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k37iqsb4fnsoywo/AQ%20directional%20cable%20files.zip?dl=0

 

 

Now the bonus version just for Jud though anyone can listen. To overcome the limitations of echoic memory I took one track and made it mono. Duplicated the mono track left and right. Now at some point during the track cable direction in one of the two channels is reversed. Then at some point later it is reverted back to normal. See if you can hear when the reversals occur and for bonus points which channel it happened in.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9pezpo3ubejeaan/1%20J%20Mono.wav.zip?dl=0

 

I only did it for the 1st track (some Eric Clapton and John Mayall). If it is popular it could be done with some others.

 

Have fun, and display your hearing acuity or admit lack there of. Either way enjoy.

 

The only thing that the "arrow" signifies is which end the cable shield is connected to ground and which end is floating. The arrow points away from the end in which the shield is grounded to facilitate those who wish to us the "star" grounding arrangement. There should be no difference in sound when reversing a single cable. If you do a star grounding arrangement, with your entire system. There might be some audible difference.

[esldude]

The only thing that the "arrow" signifies is which end the cable shield is connected to ground and which end is floating. The arrow points away from the end in which the shield is grounded to facilitate those who wish to us the "star" grounding arrangement. There should be no difference in sound when reversing a single cable. If you do a star grounding arrangement, with your entire system. There might be some audible difference.

 

I get all that George. That is not what AQ says however.

 

There are videos and interviews where claims are made that wire sounds differently one way vs the other. One of their guys has the job of listening to each new wire spool and determining the right direction via a listening test. Says he likes to use a harmonica recording. They also put arrows on their ethernet cables and such which also makes no sense.

[pdxway]

Sure is. The DC-1 is an awesome DAC. I just compared it to a Bel Canto and shipped the Bel Canto back. That was $500 vs $2400 mind you.

Thx! Will test it out once I am back from my trip.

 

Yeah, my headset is just a V-moda I got from Costco years ago for around $80, I believe.. Hope that is good enough.

[sandyk]

I listened this morning Alex. It seems maybe your version has a softer more intimate quality to it. The difference I hear is very small however. Might not even be real. What is different about it?

 

 

Hi Dennis

I will take this to email for now. I would be interested to see if Plissken also hears a difference.

Alex

[Axial]

From the first link of the first post of this thread, I downloaded the stuff and listened from my laptop's integrated speakers, just casual just for fun. I wrote down my preferences, and then I re-listened again, to verify again for fun:

 

1. A

2. B

3. B (@ first I wrote A, but on 2nd listening I changed it to B, the only music segment I did from the five)

4. B

5. B

_____

 

I had fun.

[Sal1950]

semente, I have experimented with DAC placement and have found using an isolation system brought improvements. The one I use is from mapleshade, YMMV. This review is from a guy that used it for the turntable setup but it works with DACs, servers, etc

 

Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Mapleshade Isolation Platform Accessory by Frank_Locke

 

 

Vibration Control For Digital Audio-shop.mapleshadestore.com

 

Unfinished 15 x 12 x 2 Vibration Control Kit-shop.mapleshadestore.com

 

Probably your best answer would be to get a better DAC. It's not a transducer like a turntable and should be immune to minor floor vibrations. Spend a few bucks for a quality product.

[sandyk]

Been quite busy but hoping to get to this today or tomorrow.

 

Hi Jud

Can you please also add my track 2a that Dennis listened to, to see if you hear any differences.

 

Kind Regards

Alex

[Sal1950]

D,

Just to quiet a few in the peanut gallery I gave the files a listen.

Used the two of my systems most revealing configurations with,

My Emo DC-1 DAC plugged directly into the L/R front amp

Listened on my Sennheiser HD650 headphones plugged into the DC-1 DAC

I couldn't reliably discern differences between any of the files.

Cent' Anni

[witchdoctor]

My systems are modest.

 

So, you said Samsung Note 5 is not good enough.

 

I have two others options at home:

MacBook to Emotiva Stealth DAC to headset

MacBook to NAD c390dd to Paradigm Studio 10 speakers

Are they good enough for you to even attempt a listen to your test files?

 

Yes, I don't know headsets but own Paradigm Studio 20 and 40 speakers, I am sure the Studio 10's must be good, congrats!