Do cables make a difference?

I too ran a small experiment last night; I connected my Sony MD 940 to my Tag AV32 Via three different inputs to see which sounded the better.

1st Coaxial – Coaxial (Digital)
2nd Toslink – Toslink (Digital)
3rd Analogue – Analogue (rca)

The difference between the Coaxial and the Toslink was minor. The coaxial was defiantly much clearer and slightly louder than the Toslink, but not the massive difference I had expected.

When I put the analogue in the equation and switched between the three inputs the difference was plain to hear, analogue sucks.
The sound was muffled, very quite and just plain bland.
There is no way I could listen to that on a permanent basis.

So to conclude;
Coaxial and Toslink are very close sounding, with the Coaxial taking it on being that bit clearer.
Analogue was just plain shite, with nothing to recommend it at all.

Cables used:
Lat International D100 Digital
Cable Talk Toslink
QED Qnex2 Analogue

 

Yes but you are not just comparing cables here are you? You are comparing the DAC in the Sony (analogue connection) with the DAC in the AV32 (digital connection). You would expect a night and day difference here! The TAG DAC will slaughter the Minidisc player.

 

Re: Re: Re: Do cables make a difference?

I'm obviously not speaking for Wolfgang here, but personally I couldn't agree with you more.

 

Re: Re: Re: Do cables make a difference?

That is a shame because since you are willing to spend a few hours listening to cables I thought you would be really keen to try out a procedure that actually would only that you 1-2 minutes to set up. For you to compare all those interconnects, powercords etc you must have wasted upto 5 hours? The extra 2 minutes is not a scientific experiment but it would allow you to switch btw 2 interconnects quickly for a more convenient comparison.

That ABX switchbox is very interesting indeed. However, what I have suggested would have allowed you to do more or less the same but you do need a willing partner to do the switching. If you are actually able to build that thingy, how much would it cost? Would you like to take a commission to built one?

 

I can think of far more interesting things to do with a willing partner than switching cables

 

If she have a chest like that then neither would I.

 

Wolfgang - if I ever get the time to build the damned thing I'll let you know - I have all the bits from RS components - cost about £100, the cases being the most expensive, but I just don't seem to have the time to build it at the moment

As for the willing partner - by the time we get the kids in bed, the mind may be willing but the flesh is weak so it's :zzzz: time 'till they wake again at 5am

 

Robbo,
I was going to post his earlier , but refrained .
But considering your picture now .....

" yes , and what a nice box it is "

Nos ,
I,m a slow old bugger , I just twigged your handle .
( I spotted the creature of the night bit and then my eyes just travelled up )

 

well,my wife who detests HIFI geekery,asked me if I had changed anything,the music sounded "better"

I had changed from QED to Isolda

this is the most scientific you can get,a women

case proved

 

Living in a house full of women, I personally would have thought least scientific! Perhaps just in a good/more receptive mood? That can make a big difference.

 

hmmmm,although I am sure that moods can effect a listeners ability to be subjective about cables,both myself and my wife were in fine fettle at the time,and we could "hear the music more",the Isolda seemed to open everything up

good point though,maybe its not as scientific as i thought

 

But of course it's whatever makes you happy and hang the explanation.

 

Who said the non believers keep quiet... :latte:

 

Sometimes we get permission to speak, Antonio

 

Yes you do, every time a believer speaks... :inferno:

 

Speaking of believers, with slight apologies to Frankie Laine:

I believe for every drop of copper drawn, a cable grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a blue led glows
I believe for every ear that goes astray
A Tonement comes and shows the way
I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm the smallest tweak can still be heard
I believe that green pens, sinks, knobs, silver goops are not absurd
Every time I newly-purchased power lead ply
Or touch a lead, or Densen try
Then I know why I believe

 

Come on tones, back into your sleepy box

 

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