Since my digital front end has changed from a modified Squeezebox with just about every option available at the time to a Macbook Pro now as my source as my work/office computer took a dump a couple months back so I had to replace with the Macbook Pro as it was highly recommended to me and to also be able to use the Ipod Touch in conjunction with its remote possibilities but to finance this replacement something had to go so the Squeezebox was sacrificed.
I liked the extra jump factor that the Mac provided although it had a little bite on the top that was glaring and annoying upon first listen. I was using at the time the Trends converter to go into a Theta D S Pro which only has RCA outputs and a coax input. Cardas Lightning digital cable was used.
Since our Eastern Electric EL156 monoblocks were the amplifiers of choice and they have the option of Balanced or RCA inputs I was dying to try them in balanced mode.I've never had balanced amps before.
So the journey began to find a DAC with Balanced outs although the Theta DS Pro is still one kick butt DAC and the bottom end which they are known for is readily apparent.I just had to try balanced.
I settled on the Apogee Mini Dac for now figuring if it was good enough for Radio Paradise to use and my good friend uses one of these and rates it as one of his favorites I would give it a try. Lots of different inputs and configurations .
Using the optical out on the Mac the sound seemed a bit thin but that could have been because I was using a Citypulse DA 2.03E instead of the Theta.
Had to try USB input although USB has its limits which will limit any use of high res recordings but I don't have a lot of 24 bit recordings and up-sampling has always sounded a bit unnatural to these ears on anything that I've heard in my system. It really is to be taken in context as recording to recording varies.
I was just using some cheap USB cable that either came with a computer I used or a piece of equipment with supplied USB cable. What are they worth $10 at most? I had read a couple of reviews about the Locus Design Axis and Polestar USB cables. I contacted Lee at Locus Design as we had met at a couple of audio shows and he has even used some of Eastern Electric products at these shows so I trusted his recommendation on which cable to get. Since like others also I have more then one system, main and computer room I decided to purchase both of them.The winner goes into the Main system.
Does it make sense that a cable which just transfers 1's and 0's in the digital realm could possibly have an effect on the music? Have a couple friends that say it shouldn't and they will have to try before believing.Can't blame them but as for me, I'm sold.
The Axis USB cable defined the details in the music, you can clearly pick out the notes played within the arrangement of musical score, it truly brings the separation and the last detail within the recordings. Really it is that simple, this cable has thoroughly transformed my listening experience. There is so much information there that I just wasn't hearing before in very familiar recordings,for some reason they were hidden before.
If your doing computer audio and are using some cheapo stock USB cable you really need to try this cable. I'm not sure what Lee's policy is and he is probably preparing for CES but do yourself a favor and contact him.
The cable also has given the music texture, what do I mean by that
you know what I mean
Honestly,the Axis is just one of those products you have to try!
