Macca's Lash Up 2: Lash Harder

[Macca]

The Audiolab is very, very good Guys.

It is - Comparing back to back with the Oppo the Audiolab is obviously crisper sounding and more defined.

[Macca]

Oh, and Martin, when you get the chance I'd be curious if you can hear any difference between the optical and coaxial outputs on the Audiolab (using their respective 'leads'), so please report back on that when you've assessed it

Marco.

lol I swapped to the coax earlier just to see. Using it right now. I don't think it is any different. If it is, it's very subtle.

[Marco]

Fairy muff... I wasn't expecting much, but you may find differences become more apparent if you were to experiment with some different digital leads. That's what I've found.

If you're curious, you could always ask some folks to lend you some to try

What lengths are you using?

Marco.

[Macca]

Half metre I think.

[Marco]

No worries. Curiously, and I don't know why, I've found that longer lengths of digital cables sound best (the opposite of normal thinking), so after years of using 0.5m, like you, I placed my transport and DAC further apart and now use a 1.5m version of the same coaxial cable, and was rather surprised it sounded better.

I think I've seen a technical explanation for it somewhere, which sort of made sense, but if you're curious you could always Google for it

Incidentally, if it's coaxial you think you'll be using, I would thoroughly recommend this 'no nonsense' stuff from Mark Grant, fitted with Canare plugs: https://www.markgrantcables.co.uk/uk...al-coax-cable/

...but if you can trust my findings, try it in a 1.5m length. I'm confident it'll be worthwhile sonic upgrade on what you're currently using

Marco.

[Macca]

No worries. Curiously, and I don't know why, I've found that longer lengths of digital cables sound best (the opposite of normal thinking), so after years of using 0.5m, like you, I placed my transport and DAC further apart and now use a 1.5m version of the same coaxial cable, and was rather surprised it sounded better.

I think I've seen a technical explanation for it somewhere, which sort of made sense, but if you're curious you could always Google for it

Incidentally, if it's coaxial you think you'll be using, I would thoroughly recommend this 'no nonsense' stuff from Mark Grant, fitted with Canare plugs: https://www.markgrantcables.co.uk/uk...al-coax-cable/

...but if you can trust my findings, try it in a 1.5m length. I'm confident it'll be worthwhile upgrade on what you're currently using

Marco.

It's because you can get return reflections in a shorter cable that can create jitter. But it won't make a difference with the DAC I'm using.

[Gazjam]

Indeed... Looks like a whole load of potential modding fun there, though!

Marco.

You betcha.

[Marco]

It's because you can get return reflections in a shorter cable that can create jitter. But it won't make a difference with the DAC I'm using.

Ah I see... Yet I could hear it with the Sony. The improvement was subtle, but defo there and worth having. Do you think that's because it's a much older DAC?

Marco.

[Marco]

You betcha.

Lol... The PSU looks 'adequate' but there's certainly plenty of space to put something, erm, a bit more 'manly' in there

Not to mention cap upgrades.... Thing is, the case it's in probably represents around 70% of the cost!

Marco.

[Macca]

Ah I see... Yet I could hear it with the Sony. The improvement was subtle, but defo there and worth having. Do you think that's because it's a much older DAC?

Marco.

Yes it depends on the DAC - although some say that if the cable is the correct impedance then it won't matter anyway.

I might consider getting a proper glass optical cable and see what that does. Probably nothing but I'm still looking for that last little bit to put this system over the top. Still just too soft in the very top end.