#1
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N10 better cable: USB or coax
Hi there
New owner of a N10 here, wondering what do you guys use as digital cable to your DACs. Do you prefer USB or SPDIF interface? Of course using USB the DAC's clock takes control and on coax the N10's clock steps into action. If you also can name your cable brand of choice, that would be very interesting. I for myself compared an Ultra USB from Transparent vs a (borrowed, unknown brand) coaxial. The results are mixed on my side, to be honest, that's why I want some advise from your experience. I use an Accuphase DC37, don't know which clock is more refined, Accu's vs N10's. Cheers, thanks in advance. |
#2
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ctzzzz.......I have two digital cables connected between my Aurender N10 and the Esoteric K-01X DAC, a Wireworld Platinum USB cable and a Wireworld Platinum Starlight coaxial cable. In this manner I can switch between the digital outputs on the N10 at will to accommodate PCM and DSD source material. My preference is to use the digital coaxial output that takes full advantage of the Aurender N10's oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO), and its extremely accurate and stable 12.8MHz clock with an accuracy of 0.02 parts per million (ppm).
The Accuphase DC37 DAC uses two ESS ES9018 eight channel DAC's, one for each left and right channel, that incorporate a 27 MHz crystal oscillator on the DAC chips. I was unable to find any published information with respect to the accuracy of these onboard oscillators. In all cases the chip based clock times all digital inputs to the DC37 DAC. I would suggest you use the highest quality digital cables you can afford. It has been my experience that the Wireworld Platinum level cables have outperformed all the other digital cables I have used previously. I also suggest you spend plenty of time listening to both the Aurender N10's coaxial output and USB output to determine for yourself which connection offers you the most satisfaction. If you haven't already, you may enjoy reading my Aurender N10 Caching Music Server review
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A Last edited by jdandy; 05-29-2018 at 11:21 PM. |
#3
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N10 better cable: USB or coax
ctzzzz .. I too own the N10 and I have (3) digital connections between the N10 and my DAC, the McIntosh D1100, which also uses the Sabre ESS9018 chip. I use Wireworld like so many others here at AA, namely Platinum USB, Platinum AES/EBU, and Platinum coaxial. I cannot hear any significant difference between the three. I love tweeks and I just had to hear all 3 for myself. The clock in my dac must be on same level with the clock in the N10, at least in the context of my system (speakers, room, ears). When I take back possession of my Meridian 808 (on long term load), I will compare all 3 with that dac, results could be different. I must say I was surprised I don’t have a real preference for the aes/coaxial over the usb as I’ve always had a prejudice against usb based on the general feelings towards usb in hi-do circles. Having a WW Usb cable helps
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Preamp: McIntosh C1100T/C1100C, McIntosh MX180 Amp: McIntosh MC611 (2), MC601 (3), MI254 Digital: McIntosh D1100, McIntosh MCT450, Meridian 808v6, Aurender N20, Aurender ACS10, Oppo 203 Analog: McIntosh MT10, Hana Umami Red Phono preamp: Simaudio Moon 610LP, 820S Signal cables: WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker cables; Shunyata Sigma v2 XLR (2); Sigma v1 XLR (2), Transparent Ref XL (MM2) XLR; WW Silver Eclipse 7 (4) Digital cables: Shunyata Omega USB, Omega Ethernet, Sigma Ethernet; WW Platinum 7 Coax, AES/EBU Switch: Innuos PhoenixNet Power: Audioquest Niagara 7000, Audioquest 5000, Audioquest Dragon, Hurricane PC, Shunyata Alpha HC, AQ NRG Edison outlets, (8) 20 amp dedicated lines, 125 amp subpanel Speakers: Wilson Sasha DAW, Dynaudio Contour 30, Dynaudio Contour 25C Subs: REL s/812 (6), REL s/510 (3) Accessories: HRS M3X2 shelf (MT10), Stillpoints Ultra II v2 w/ bases (21), Ultra SS (12), Mini (12), LPi v1 Sound treaments: Artnovion |
#4
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ctzzzz, another N10 owner here with another opinion to add confusion. I prefer connecting my N10 to my Berkeley or my K-01x via a WW Platinum USB but also going through an iFi USB. For me it sounds better than via coax. You may wish to demo a few cables through the Cable Co. to decide for yourself what sounds better to you.
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Paul Harbeth 40.3 XD, Sound Anchor stands w/ Stillpoints, Luxman M900 & C900, Aurender N20, Jay's Audio CDT3 - MK3 CD player, Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, Shunyata Everest, Altaira |
#5
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Dan, @j3brow, Paul:
Thank you all for the answers. I'm still in the burn in phase with my N10 (about 120-130hours). I'll try to borrow the best cables available and indeed, listen for myself. I also have a friend that has an Intona USB isolator, probably I'll put this also in the mix. My DAC does not have an AES input, but if there are other users who compared USB vs Coax on N10, their input is highly appreciated, for sure. Last edited by ctzzzz; 05-30-2018 at 01:06 AM. |
#6
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@ctzzz...I've got an N10 and have used coax, USB, and AES. My preference is for the coax, followed by the AES, and then the USB cables. But, they are very, very close and somewhat music dependent. Your ears will be the best judge on your system. My cables are Shunyata Sigma and Audience SX USB.
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#7
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Quote:
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Wilson Audio Sasha W/P II, LAMM M1.2, LAMM L2, Weiss 502, Siltech Crown. |
#8
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USB connected to my Esoteric K-01X sounds better than COAX in my rig.
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Audio Room: CH Precision I1, Esoteric k01XD, Lab 12 Melto 2, Luxman PD-171A TT, Roon Nucleus, Stenheim Alumine Three, Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables, Siltech 680 interconnects, Shunyata Sigma USB Cable, Audioquest Hurricane PCs, Shunyata Everest,CORE Design racks, Stein Harmonizers, HRS damping plates, Stillpoints and all that other silly stuff. Office: Luxman L-595A SE, Diapason Neos speakers, HiFi Rose RS150B, Nordost Frey 2 Interconnects, Tellurium Q Silver speaker cables, |
#9
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It also depends on the DAC that is being used, some DAC's prefer USB input while others prefer SPDIF.
As Dan mentioned the N10 should be best with the SPDIF output (special internal clock not used with USB)
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Moon 700i V2, dCS Rossini, YG Acoustics Hailey, Aurender N10, Ansuz Mainz D2 |
#10
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+1
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