Macca's Lash Up 2: Lash Harder

[Gazjam]

Martin,
Glass Optical cable, best I’ve heard when playing with these was this one.
http://www.lifatec.com/toslink2.html

not beer budget though, but it’s worth investing in a good digital cable imo, especially for this Transport.

Found coax to slightly superior, using a 100 quid Wireworld Starlight 8, which is much better sounding than a well thought of Belden/ Bluejeans cable.
The Audiolabs so good, I’m pretty sure it’s worth investing in a better cable.

Had a Black Cat Silverstar before the last time I ran a transport, and was as good as it gets without being silly.
Improved MkII version out, so may pull trigger on that and call it done.
The manufacturer has some credentials, knows what he’s about.

Theres attention been paid to the quality of the coax output in the Audiolab, in that it’s effectively running “balanced”, reducing inherent noise affecting the quality of the bitstream to the Dac.
Clever stuff actually, attention paid to where it matters most, with no frills.

Can get behind that in a design.

[Gazjam]

Another thing worth considering Martin,

The Audiolab took a few weeks of constant use before it fully got in its stride,
I’d just let it do its thing for a while before making final judgement.

Thinking about the cymbal splashiness, that’ll probably pass with some time on the player.

[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.

Yeah, sure. If you're considering an optical cable then I'd thoroughly recommend this Van Damme. I use it between the Panny and Beresford, and it really does sound good: https://sxpro.co.uk/van-damme-optical-cable-1m-blue

Very well made too, and not a lot of dosh. IME, it's hard to beat professional studio cables, from these types of companies, as they're used to supplying rather demanding customers and the prices charged are blissfully free of bullshit 'audiophile markup'

I think they're made to order, and I got mine in around two days from ordering, so fast service, too!

Marco.

[Marco]

Another thing worth considering Martin,

The Audiolab took a few weeks of constant use before it fully got in its stride,
I’d just let it do its thing for a while before making final judgement.

Thinking about the cymbal splashiness, that’ll probably pass with some time on the player.

I'm pretty sure that the 'cymbal splashiness' was there before the Audiolab arrived.

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Ah ha...

[Macca]

Yes it's really weird. It's not so much splashiness as softness. Like the top end is rolled off too soon except that if I EQ the top end I still hear the same effect so it isn't a simple drop in FR.

I've tried various combinations of equipment (amps, speakers, transports) and cables and no matter what I change it's there. The Audiolab improved it slightly. I mean it is very subtle but it's noticeable. Except for that it sounds amazing. I just can't figure out the cause.

[Marco]

Do you think it's a trait of the tweeters on the JM Labs with some material? It appears to be ever-present, regardless of whatever else you've done, so makes sense.

Marco.

[Macca]

Could be, but both the same? Same with if it is a crossover problem,

I need to get the other Krell back and see if it is the same with that,

[Marco]

Could be, but both the same? Same with if it is a crossover problem,

Sorry, don't understand that bit, mate...

Marco.

[Macca]

Sorry, don't understand that bit, mate...

Marco.

I mean what is the chances of both speakers going bad? Pretty unlikely.